Last week, I had the joy of attending a family wedding in Thailand, a beautiful gathering where relatives from all corners of the globe came together to celebrate. As we stood there, surrounded by laughter, music, and shared memories, I couldn't help but feel deeply moved. It was a moment to honor not just the love between two people, but the bonds that tie us all—across continents, generations, and time. In that moment, I realized that this celebration wasn’t just about the present; it was about the incredible tapestry of our family’s history, woven together by the lives, struggles, and triumphs of those who came before us.

There are many definitions of family, but the one that has always resonated most deeply with me is this: ‘All the descendants of a common ancestor.’ This may not be the most poetic or grand definition, but for me, it speaks to something much deeper—the unbreakable bond that ties us to those who walked before us. This connection to the past isn’t just a thread that disappears with time; it’s a permanent fixture that shapes who we are today and who we will become.

Family is not something that just happens—it’s built. It’s created with love, effort, and care. The foundation is laid carefully, one step at a time, each brick placed by those who came before us. I feel immense pride when I think about the generations of my forefathers who lived their lives with such perseverance, adaptability, and determination. Their strength is the reason I am who I am today, and I carry their legacy with me every day.

As an Indian in East Africa, my ancestors faced hardships that I can barely imagine. In Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, they lived between worlds—neither fully accepted by the local African communities nor fully embraced by the colonial powers. They faced prejudice, discrimination, and often, a sense of not truly belonging. Yet, they didn’t break. They built lives from the ground up, creating businesses, vibrant communities, and strong connections. They endured struggles that many of us today can’t even fathom—yet they never stopped moving forward. They may have been treated as outsiders, but they planted roots so deep that they became part of the fabric of the land, even when others tried to exclude them.

But what stands out the most about them is their resilience. They knew how to be careful, how to work tirelessly and thoughtfully for a future that was never promised to them. Every decision they made, every step they took, was intentional and made with the understanding that they were not just building their own future, but the future of all who would come after them. They didn’t have the luxury of taking risks freely—they had to be strategic, to carefully plan and to protect what they had. And in doing so, they built a legacy of strength, patience, and wisdom that would shape the lives of their descendants.

It is because of their thoughtfulness, their sacrifices, and the care they took in making every decision that I am able to live with a freedom that they never had. The risks I can take today, the opportunities I can pursue, are possible because they created a path that allowed me to walk on steady ground. I have the freedom to dream and to act, to make bold choices and follow my heart, all because of the carefulness with which they built their lives—and my future. Their sacrifices made it possible for me to take the chances that were once out of reach.

Sir Isaac Newton, the brilliant polymath, once said, ‘If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.’For me, this could not be more true. I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors, from India to Uganda, Tanzania to Kenya, and now England. Through their struggles, sacrifices, and hard-earned wisdom, they have made it possible for me to live a life that is full of possibilities.

Today I begin my 32nd trip around the sun. Every year, as I make this orbit, each step I take and each decision I make, is illuminated by those that came before me. I owe so much of what I am to their quiet strength, to their careful planning, and to the incredible warmth and wisdom they passed down to me. The difficulties they faced made the path smoother for me, and I will forever carry their legacy in my heart as I build my own.