A Journey of Determination from India to the USA
By Kent Yang | Observer Staff Writer
Within the diverse cultures of Mount Wachusett Community College is Puneet Kumar, a 19-year-old biology major. One year ago, when he was just 18 years old, Kumar left his home in Punjab, India and started his journey to America, bringing with him not just his cherished cultural heritage but also his profound determination to achieve his dreams of becoming a doctor, more specifically: a neurosurgeon. Kumar has always wanted to be a doctor, explaining that his reasons were “ … not just for a good standard or passion but also for love and better understanding for the people I treat. I chose neuroscience because the brain has the most complex structures which runs the whole body … I just wanted to learn the complexities of the brain and spinal cord to fulfill my dream.”
Kumar decided to study at the Mount because he has family members who live nearby. “It was [also] the best school to transfer [to] from my school back in India,” he said. “The energy here is upbeat and optimistic, and the environment is very clean.” Although he is not currently associated with any clubs, he has found the staff and faculty to be very helpful.
Outside of school, Kumar works as a store clerk at Hannaford. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, contemplating the world’s issues and future possibilities, and cooking. “I can cook Indian food and I’m still struggling to find new vegan recipes around the world,” he shared. “My personal favorite to cook is fried rice, gobhi ki sabji, some snacks like samosa pakora and cheesechilly–all [of these] are Indian foods and snacks.”
Kumar’s homeland of Punjab, India is known for the production of sugarcane, rice, and wheat. His favorite food is roti, a round flatbread made from whole wheat flour native to the Indian subcontinent. Having lived in the United States for a year now, he has gained a genuine appreciation for the diversity in both the people and the food, but finds himself missing some aspects of home, stating that he “longs to find authentic Indian cuisine.”
Kumar’s culture values warm greetings, optimism, and respect for elders and these principles are deeply ingrained in his heart. He carries this respect into every part of his life. “There is so much [to learn] about India that it can take so many years to learn,” said Kumar. Even though he may be far from home, he is driven each day by his personal motivation, his faith in God, and the love of his parents.
His mother and father made the journey from India to America with him to provide him with opportunities for a good job and wealth, and he does not want the sacrifices that they made to go to waste. “Otherwise they would have never come here. They know that sometimes being lonely is a depressing thing, so … they support me and teach me life advice so that I can carry their teachings and prove that [their] hard work and blessings bring success to my life.”
In an effort to motivate and inspire those who, like him, are diligently pursuing their dreams, Kumar says, “I want to give motivation to those who are working hard and pursuing their dreams. Believe in yourself, work hard, don’t change your goals. God and the blessing from your mom and dad is always with you. Keep pushing forward.”
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