The Power of Potlucks

Potluck parties are one of the most common ways Desis connect and socialize. Desris, in particular, are pros at organizing them, whether it’s for birthdays, holidays, religious rituals, or just because we feel like it.

Most potlucks are planned and executed by women with incredible spreads of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. While the food is being prepped and served, the men often bond over sports, politics, and of course cricket.

But these gatherings hold something much deeper.

For many women, especially housewives, potlucks are more than just social events — they’re a lifeline. A space to be heard. A chance to speak your native tongue, laugh over shared stories, swap movie reviews, or vent about everyday life.

I still remember those late-night potlucks, the laughter, the food, the conversations that spilled over into the early hours. It reminded me that while we’re far from our families, we can still find “home” in our friendships.

A Deeper Kind of Connection

When you think about it, these potlucks can be powerful tools for community-building, if we let them be.

For newcomers, international students, young professionals, or families new to the area, these gatherings can be their first real entry into finding connection, culture, and comfort.

For those of us who’ve been abroad a while, it’s an opportunity to go deeper.

Instead of just chatting about food, kids, or the latest Bollywood hit, what if we used these moments to really see each other?

• Maybe someone’s silently struggling with work burnout, and you’ve been through it before.

• Maybe a young mom is feeling lost and just needs to hear, “You’re doing great.”

• Maybe someone is dealing with grief or relationship struggles and just needs a safe space to cry or vent.
  

Sometimes, all we need is a listener. Being that listener can change someone’s life.

Let’s Add More Power to Our Potlucks

Imagine if we made space in every gathering, even just for a few minutes to check in more meaningfully with one another.

Imagine sharing resources, advice, encouragement, even mentorship.

Imagine if every woman who came to the potluck left feeling just a little more seen, heard, and supported.

We have the food, the warmth, the community and let’s layer in purpose, too. Let’s turn our potlucks into quiet revolutions of care.

Here are a few simple ways we can make them more meaningful:

• Reach out to the quiet ones. Not everyone’s an extrovert. A gentle smile or a warm question can help someone open up.

• Follow up. Share contact info. Send a message later. Ask how they’re doing. That little check-in can go a long way.

• Plan a quick coffee or call. A small, one-on-one follow-up can lead to deeper conversations that truly matter.

• Hold space. Sometimes, we don’t need to offer advice. Just listening with compassion is enough.

Let’s turn our potlucks into something more powerful.

Let’s use them to nurture, uplift, and support each other.

Let’s make space for the stories behind the samosas.

Shall we try it? And try to be on time to your next potluck… lol

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Signing out,
Sana