Reflections on My Trip to India: Revisiting Roots and Building Bridges

I’m an endodontist on a mission to #GiveTeethAChance, and that means I spend a heck of a lot of time treating patients, educating dentists and patients on the tooth-saving power of root canals, and working on my business. But I also value family time deeply, and recently, my husband, kids, and I took a trip to India—my ancestral homeland—where I was able to watch my children discover their roots for the very first time.

As a child, I spent many summers in India getting to know my extended family and exploring my heritage. Having grown up in the United States, visiting India was like entering another world. Nevertheless, my experiences there were the cornerstone of my early years, and with time, I came to love and appreciate my roots and uncovered a profound sense of belonging that I never knew I was missing. 

Returning to India with my children was like stepping through a portal into my past. It was an experience brimming with nostalgia, yet seeing it through their eyes also gave me an entirely new perspective. Witnessing their first trip—with all its high points and challenges—was nothing short of incredible.

While I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience with you through tooth stories and endo tips, I also love celebrating my heritage. So I’d like to tell you about my trip to India and what it meant for me and my family. I think it will give you a glimpse into what has made me the person and endodontist I am today!

My Trip to India: Same Streets, Different Stories

Since it was my children’s first experience in India, we planned the trip to include as many destinations as possible, including Delhi, Agra, Amritsar, Jaipur, and Mumbai (followed by some time spent in Maldives). 

Our journey started off in the crowded, vibrant streets of Delhi. I was blown away by how much the city had changed since my childhood. Ubers, air conditioning, bathrobes in our hotels—they were full of the kinds of modern comforts I only wished I could have had as a kid. Experiencing the cities again as an adult, I loved the luxuries… and yet I also found myself missing the simplicity and traditional charm of the past.

That said, I was relieved to find that some parts remained untouched by time and modern advancements, and I was determined to give my kids a taste of the India I remember as much as I could! 

One of the most heartwarming experiences was introducing them to some of the joys of Indian culture, like sipping their first masala chai and selecting fabrics in the busy markets of Chandni Chowk to create their own Lehengas (traditional Indian skirts). It was incredible to see them building memories similar to my own, and it created a sort of thread of continuity, weaving different generations together in a way that was profoundly touching. 

Check out the dental clinic in the background! Even when I’m halfway across the world on a family vacation, teeth somehow find a way into my life.

After Delhi, we traveled to Agra, where my kids got to witness the grandeur that is the Taj Mahal. It’s one of the most incredible sights you’ll ever see, with its ivory-white marble dome towering over a gorgeous garden and reflecting pool. The interior, too, is breathtaking. Many of the surfaces are decorated with gorgeous gemstones and carvings, which are only made more beautiful by the rays of sun that shine through the latticework. You HAVE to add it to your travel bucket list!

But if I wanted my kids to experience the real India, it wasn’t going to be all sunshines and rainbows! As we traveled across the country, I consciously exposed them to aspects of life in India that were unfamiliar and, at times, uncomfortable—like riding as a family of five in a tiny rickshaw, or going to places where the bathroom was nothing but a hole in the ground. These experiences grappling with new situations visibly challenged them, but I hope that they’ll later cherish these moments as invaluable learning experiences.

Bridging Generations: A Journey to Amritsar 

It wouldn’t be a trip to India without a visit to Amritsar, a city steeped in history and spirituality, and the city where my husband Vivek’s father grew up. 

Vivek was incredibly excited to explore his family tree with the kids, and witnessing his reaction as he revisited his father’s childhood home was particularly moving. The house that once seemed huge to him as a child now seemed so tiny! It’s crazy how much our perceptions change with time, right?

Another significant moment was when my kids got to meet their extended family. The joy and curiosity on their faces as they met aunts, uncles, and cousins they never knew before reminded me of my very first summer in India. It made me so grateful that they got to meet that part of their family and giggle, smile, and play together.

But the thing I’ll remember most from our visit to Amritsar was when we went to tour the Golden Temple. While it’s primarily a Sikh place of worship, the temple also houses a community kitchen that feeds tens of thousands of people daily, and my family and I were fortunate enough to witness their selfless service firsthand.

I was amazed by not only the scale and seamless operation of the kitchen, but also the humility and humanity of the volunteers as they worked hard to serve dal (lentils) and roti (bread) to people from all walks of life. My whole family got in on the roti action, and my daughter Karina (who’s an amazing baker at home) was so much fun to watch. The experience was a true gift. Any day I’m feeling sad or hopeless, I’ll think of that day to lift my spirits!

Takeaway: Remember Your Roots

My trip to India was so much more than a vacation. It bridged the gap between my past and my children’s present, allowing them to experience a piece of their heritage—and allowing me to experience my heritage through their eyes. 

As I reflect on our time there, I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunity to share these experiences as a family. It’s a reminder that every journey—especially those that take us back to our roots—is a chance to teach, learn, and grow.

If you enjoyed this blog and want to stay up-to-date on all my latest musings, tooth stories, and endo tips, join my email list at https://soniachopradds.com/subscribe/. 

– Sonia