Desi, more than skin color, speaks to a communal memory for many. This word unites the many elements of South Asian history, such as the vibrant colors of diwali and Eid and the pungent taste of biryani and dal in all of its forms. Desi is not racial; it is cultural. It displays common customs, values, and life experiences among South Asian people, including those from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. The word's root, desh (Sanskrit for "homeland"), has evolved throughout time to denote a feeling of inclusion in the subcontinent and its diaspora.
Desi, more than skin color, speaks to a communal memory for many. This word unites the many elements of South Asian history, such as the vibrant colors of diwali and Eid and the pungent taste of biryani and dal in all of its forms. Desi is not racial; it is cultural. It displays common customs, values, and life experiences among South Asian people, including those from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. The word's root, desh (Sanskrit for "homeland"), has evolved throughout time to denote a feeling of inclusion in the subcontinent and its diaspora.