Name? Grade?

Sahir Ahmed, 11th Grade

Maurya Oruganti, 11th Grade

If you are from India, where in India are you from?

Ahmed: I am not from India, I am from Bangladesh.

Oruganti: My parents are from Hyderabad, India. 

What is your favorite Indian food? Describe the dish.

Ahmed: Chicken tikka masala. It is a chicken-based meal submerged in a tomato curry. It is very delicious.

Oruganti: My favorite Indian food is Naan and Rita, can never go wrong with some soul food. 

What are some of your most unique Indian customs?

Ahmed: Greeting people a certain way when they walk into your home.

Oruganti: Every pooja–festival of our gods, kumkum–red powder–is applied to our forehead. My family applies kumkum to my dog. 

Who do you think is one of the most prominent role models for Indians? Why?

Ahmed: Hasan Minaj is a very funny comedian.

Oruganti: I think Gandhi is the most prominent role model as he helped Indians with independence and did something most Indians are afraid to do–stepping out of their comfort zone. 

Who is one of your favorite Indian celebrities? Why?

Ahmed: I don’t know many Indian celebrities.

Oruganti: Deepika Padukone and Siddharth Malhotra. They are both very attractive and funny. 

What is your favorite Indian song?

Ahmed: Mundian to Bach ke

Oruganti: Deewangi Deewangi

What makes your culture unique?

Ahmed: I am actually from Bangladesh so it is very similar to Indian culture but there are some large differences.

Oruganti: Everything.