Candid Conversations gives us the opportunity to hear the stories, life, and work of BIPOC people living in Rochester MN. We invite you to read to learn, seek to understand, and thoughtfully engage.
Shruti Saraswat
Were you born in Rochester? If not, how long have you lived here? What brought you to the city?
I was born in Moradabad located in Uttar Pradesh (a state of India). My family moved to Rochester three years ago because my husband accepted a job offer from Mayo Clinic.
Tell us a little bit about your family.
We are a family of three. I have a four-year-old daughter and a loving kind husband. Our extended family is large on both sides and we are very close to all of them. They all live in India and I miss them a lot. Luckily, I have found great friends here in Rochester who are our family and support here.
What are the three words that best describe you?
Adventurer
Explorer
Vivacious
If you could take a week off from your regular life to immerse yourself in learning something, what would it be?
I would definitely like to learn more photography skills and participate in photography groups so I can learn from others too.
If you could go back in time ten years and tell yourself something, what would you say?
Learn to say “no” to things which do not deserve my time. It’s an important skill that I simply lack. But I’m working on it.
What does #rochmn need to work on the most?
As a vegetarian, I would definitely like to see more variety in vegetarian and vegan food options.
What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve done in your life?
In 2015, inspired by a movie, I bought a ticket to Greece and went on a one-week solo photography trip. I was scared and nervous because it was my first time traveling alone. I learned so much about myself at that time. That trip changed me for good.
Speaking of travel, where do you most want to visit in the world?
Oh, there are so many places for sure but Iceland tops the list for now. A road trip in Iceland would be a dream come true because of the vast landscapes with so much vividness. I would like to get lost in nature over there so I can find inspiration and myself too.
What is one sentence you would use to describe living as a BIPOC person in #rochmn?
I feel welcome, this community gives love and receives a ton too.
What is your favorite meal to cook?
Our family favorite, lentils and rice.
Lentils are a staple food in my state (Uttar Pradesh). We eat lots of lentils with bread and rice. There are many types varying in cooking time and recipes. My favorite is yellow lentil rice because it’s super quick to make.
I remember after school, on hot summer days, sitting in air conditioning with my sister enjoying the Daal rice my mom prepared as we told her about our day. Daal rice is the first thing I cook when returning home from a long trip.
What is your favorite place to go out for a meal or get takeout in Rochester?
One of my absolute favorites is Forager Brewery. My all-time favorite menu items to order are the Pad Thai and the Voodie burger. Mmmm, so delicious!
For breakfast, we love Benedict’s Morning Heroes. I love the french toast and the California eggs benedict, while also stealing bites from my daughter’s chocolate pancakes. I could eat it every day!
Who do you admire the most and why?
I admire kindness a lot as I think kindness can take us a long way. The world would be very different if everyone was kind and respectful to each other. My father is a great example of practicing kindness on a daily basis. He inspires me daily. He is a person who is always ready to help people, no matter what.
What brings you the most joy?
Spending a day with my family brings me joy. We enjoy exploring new places and trying new restaurants. We also love going to the beach, taking long walks with ice cream, or a short trip to the playground. Or a pizza night with silly dances and jokes is the perfect family time for us.
What is something you are looking forward to?
Going back to India to visit my family and friends. It’s been a really long time and I’m craving Indian street food, especially panipuri. It haunts me in my dreams!
What is your favorite way to unwind and relax?
Binge-watching tv shows, most recently Euphoria, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and The Gilded Age while eating my favorite foods. I love guacamole and chips, a good salad, lemonade, and of course lots of ice cream.
