Little India in Kent, Washington

There was a time when I participated in the office potlucks, and while my coworkers enjoyed their favorite Indian dish they would always ask me for recipe. Most of the stores where we bought our ingredients were in Canada at that time. And aside from the drive there was the hassle we would face at the customs.



Times have changed since then. We now have a lot of Indian grocery stores here in 'Little India,' and new ones are opening up every few months. It really reminds me of India. Then, whenever a special guest would visit us; we had to run out to the store and pick up some sweets or Indian samosas from the sweet shop. Things are similar here nowadays. Some evenings I walk to the Indian market. While we stroll along the shops we often sit at 'Pabla Indian Cuisine' to enjoy a snack. My son loves Samosa burger more than the regular burger!



So much has changed, really. The recent report in the Seattle Times: "Kent School District joins trend of minority students outnumbering whites" reflects this trend. The Kent School District this year became the seventh Seattle-area district in which minority students outnumber white students. It's part of a demographic shift that's happening in districts across Washington and the nation.

While the Indian community evolves into a major community, so are the Indian businesses growing in great numbers.



A fairly decent shop is within the walls of Sikh Gurudwara Sahib in Renton. It is run by Kundan Singh. He sells all the needs of the Sikh community including the Kanga (the wooden comb used to massage the scalp as it combs the hair), Kara (the Sikh iron bangle), Kirpan (the Sikh sword), Kachera (the military undergarment). These are part of the 5 K's mandated by Guru Gobind Singh for every Sikh. He also sells, various books, music tapes and disks, turbans, etc. Kundan Singh said that although it is within the Gurudwara Sahib it is not supported by the Gurudwara Management.

"Although we have accepted the fast American way of life, we can't adapt to the American food" said one gentleman. "And above all Indian food is healthy and nutritious. It is the American way to eat a fast breakfast which may include bread or cereal. Indians prefer good Indian food for dinner which has to be soothing and healthy. We want our kitchen to smell spicy in the evening."



Turmeric Powder has been known to be a miracle golden powder. It has been used in Indian food for centuries. Yet recently, science has accepted its benefits as an anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory agent. Although it sells expensively in health stores it is one of the ubiquitous spices found in Indian stores. And the price is fairly cheap!

Contributed by:
Aasra Magazine:
“Connecting Communities”
Email: Aasra@q.com
Phone: 206-550-3154

SikhsIndia
Spreading awareness
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