Stepping into the vibrant streets of Bhuj for the first time felt like opening a forgotten photo album. The sounds, the colors, the warmth of the people — everything was a gentle reminder of home.
The evening light at Vijay Vilas Palace was pure magic. Walking through the grand halls and then onto the serene beach, I felt transported between two worlds — royalty and simplicity.
Nothing could have prepared me for the vastness of the White Desert. The endless horizon, the cultural performances, the intricate handcrafts — every moment was a celebration of Gujarat's rich heritage.
Small moments. Big memories. All through the eyes of an NRI kid.
Gujarat felt like my playground from the moment I arrived. I wasn’t expecting the silly moments to become my favorite memories — writing in the sand at Mandvi, laughing through my totally off-beat garba steps, chasing snacks at Kala Dungar, and trying every street food Dad waved at me. None of it was planned, but that’s what made it special. As an NRI kid, I came here thinking I was just visiting. Instead, Gujarat pulled me into its fun, its colors, and its chaos, until it felt like the most natural place for me to just be… me.
Experience the journey through Keyaa's eyes — four
Where the Rann of Kutch became my biggest classroom.
The Rann has a way of making you reflect without saying a word. Its endless white, its stillness, its sunsets — everything felt like a reminder to slow down and look within. I learned about resilience from the people who call the desert home, about tradition from the dancers who performed under the stars, and about myself as I watched the horizon stretch into forever. Gujarat taught me culture, family, and history… but the Rann taught me clarity.
Experience the journey through Keyaa's eyes — four
Experience the journey through Keyaa's eyes — four
A visual diary of the journey — each frame telling its own story.
An NRI girl's journey of discovery, connection, and coming home to her roots.
Cultural DiscoveryFrom steaming dhokla to sweet jalebis dripping with syrup, every bite told a story of tradition. Learning to make rotla with my grandmother's hands guiding mine — this is how culture tastes.
Day 2
Emotional ConnectionI always wondered what 'home' meant. In Gujarat, surrounded by family who shares my eyes, my laugh, my stubborn streak — I finally understood.
Day 2
Sacred SpacesStanding on the Rann of Kutch at sunrise, with endless white salt stretching to infinity, I felt so small yet so connected.
Day 2
My feet stumbled at first, trying to follow the rhythm. But then the beat matched my heartbeat, and suddenly I wasn’t learning — I was belonging.
Day 2
My feet stumbled at first, trying to follow the rhythm. But then the beat matched my heartbeat, and suddenly I wasn’t learning — I was belonging.
Day 2
My feet stumbled at first, trying to follow the rhythm. But then the beat matched my heartbeat, and suddenly I wasn’t learning — I was belonging.
Day 2For children growing up away from their homeland, the connection to roots can feel abstract — stories told by parents, recipes cooked on special occasions, languages heard but not always spoken.
These journeys are about making those connections real. Walking the same streets our ancestors walked, tasting the food that shaped our culture, feeling the soil that holds our history. It's about understanding that identity isn't just inherited — it's experienced, lived, and deeply felt.
Through Keyaa's eyes, we see India not as a distant memory, but as a living, breathing part of who we are. Every sunset, every conversation, every moment of wonder is a thread connecting past to present, tradition to future.
A note from the parents who made this journey possible.
When we left India years ago, we carried with us memories, traditions, and a deep love for the land we called home. But we also carried a responsibility — to ensure our children understood where they came from.
These trips aren't vacations. They're pilgrimages. They're lessons without classrooms. They're moments where Keyaa can see her grandmother’s smile in a stranger's kindness, taste her grandfather's stories in the local cuisine, and feel the pulse of a culture that runs through her veins.
Watching her eyes light up at the White Desert, hearing her laugh with local artisans — these are the moments that remind us why we travel back. Because heritage isn't just about the past; it's about giving our children a fuller, richer understanding of who they are.
— With love, from Mom and Dad
Continue the journey through other adventures and discoveries across India.
NRI Keyaa in Himachal
NRI Keyaa in Rajasthan
NRI Keyaa in Kerala
