NYC, New York - 1970's

During the 1970s economic depression in India, my grandfather made decisions that shaped our family for generations. After completing dental school, he struggled to find a job and ultimately built his own practice, traveling by bicycle to different cities to treat patients. Despite his efforts, supporting a family of four, including two young boys, was difficult.

In March 1975, with limited options, my grandfather left Gujarat, India, and moved to America, selling his dental practice for the journey. He arrived in Philadelphia with only seven dollars and faced an unfamiliar world of language barriers and racial prejudice. Unable to practice dentistry without passing U.S. exams, he studied at night while attending up to five job interviews daily. With little money, he walked everywhere, no matter the time or weather, to save bus fare. Rejections were routine for jobs that seemed simple, even though he held a doctorate-level degree.

One night, while walking home late, a police officer stopped him. Struggling to explain himself in broken English, he feared the worst. However, the officer drove him home, and that night, the loneliness and challenges of his new life weighed heavily on him.

After reaching out to relatives and friends, he was advised to move to New York, which he did with renewed motivation. A generous friend offered him a place to stay while he studied. He eventually found work as a dental technician and continued walking to save money. After two years and two failed exams, he finally earned his U.S. dental license. He began working as a dentist in Chinatown and joined the Army Reserve. With a stable income, he reunited with his family in New York after three long years apart.

For five years, my grandfather worked seven days a week to build a better life. In 1983, he opened his own practice in Astoria, later expanding to Long Island in 1996. After seeing his two sons succeed, he retired in 2018 and sold his practice.

My grandfather’s story embodies the saying, “He walked so we could run,” and his sacrifices continue to inspire generations of our family.