Asian+American Stories: Rohit Paul
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As part of our Asian+American campaign, we're featuring personal stories that celebrate pride in being both Asian and American. Rohit Paul, Chief People and Culture Officer at TAAF, shared how being Asian+American is an opportunity to blend both worlds, and create new traditions for his family.
What does being Asian+American mean to you?
My mom would tell me as a kid “India gave her birth, but America gave her life.” I didn’t fully understand what she meant at the time, but the older I get, the more I see how deeply true it is. She always said that because of that journey—because of both countries—I was possible. I was the blend of two worlds. That blend shows up in the little things. Like the way I can sing along to country music on long drives and then find myself dancing to Bollywood hits at a cousin’s wedding. Or how a typical week might include burger and fries on Wednesday and my wife’s chicken curry and coconut rice on Friday night—each meal a reminder of where we’ve been and who we are.
Some weekends, I take road trips back to my old neighborhood with my own Asian+American kids. I eat at the same spots I loved growing up, catch a Cubs game, and hang out with the same friends I used to hang out with—none of whom look like me, but all of whom feel like home. Then, in the summer, we fly to India to visit my in-laws and extended family in the birthplace of my grandparents. There, I listen to family members share stories, taste the dishes my Mom loved, walk through neighborhoods where modern high rises sit next to traditional bungalows, learn more of the language and build new friendships.
It’s the life of in-betweens. It’s like having two eyes. Each sees something different, but together they give you a perspective that’s fuller, deeper, and uniquely your own.
How do you instill that pride in being fully Asian+American in your children?
One of the most exciting parts of being Asian+American is the opportunity to create traditions that blend both worlds. Whether it’s a 5,000 year old tradition or something we just thought of the night before, it’s our experience of two different worlds. At our Thanksgiving table, you’ll find turkey seasoned with masala, biryani alongside cornbread, stuffing paired with mutton curry. Each flavor enhances the other—proof that when two beautiful cultures come together, we get to enjoy the best of both.
My mom, who grew up in the United States, shares her love of ’70s and ’80s music with my kids, while my mother-in-law in India passes down classical Indian melodies and songs from the latest Bollywood hits. It’s a rich exchange of memories, rhythms, and roots.
Even our children's names—Neeraj Ryan and Neetu Katherine—reflect that fusion. India gave them meaning; America gives them purpose.
