India ~ A Land of Contrasts and Common GroundBy Carmen Milagro

"India greeted me with magnificent contrasts, ancient traditions and unexpected reminders of my ancestors.”

That thought entered my mind more than once as I traveled through eight cities across India earlier this year. As part of the Curry Trails Culinary Tour led by celebrity chef and restaurateur Ranjan Dey, I embarked on what had been a lifelong dream journey. What I expected to find was a fascinating country rich in history, culture and cuisine. What I did not expect was how profoundly the experience would challenge some assumptions, expand my perspective and ultimately strengthen my hope for humanity.

India taught me many lessons. Perhaps the most striking was that it is truly a land of extremes.

Before my journey, I had read about India's economic diversity. What I had not fully understood was the scale of it. There were moments when I stood before breathtaking marble palaces, magnificent temples, luxury hotels and architectural masterpieces such as the Taj Mahal. And equally as impressive, beyond these symbols of wealth and grandeur, I witnessed people working tirelessly in the sculpture studios, fish markets, outdoor laundries and family-run enterprises that have sustained communities for generations.

The contrast was impossible to ignore.

There were extreme sights, sounds, aromas, innovations and traditions. In one moment I would encounter cutting-edge technology and modern infrastructure; in the next, ancient customs and practices that have endured for centuries. At times these contrasts broke my heart. At other times they filled me with joy, awe and admiration for the resilience, creativity and determination of the people I encountered.

Yet what surprised me most were not our differences.

It was our similarities.

As someone whose heritage includes Spanish, North American and Central American influences, I expected to discover many more differences. Instead, I found echoes of home everywhere. I saw the same pride in family traditions. I witnessed how food brings people together around a table. I recognized the importance of music, storytelling, textiles, artisan crafts and cultural celebrations in preserving identity and strengthening community bonds. One small but instantly recognizable aha moment was the use of marigolds at the altars and in the handmade garlands as we walked through the flower market in Kolkata.

Across continents and languages, people still celebrate milestones through food. They still gather around music. They still pass wisdom, values and history from one generation to the next through art, culture and tradition.

Sound familiar?

It certainly did to me.

During my travels, I began to better understand what Chef Ranjan Dey means when he speaks about "Gastro-Diplomacy." It is not simply about food. It is about connection. A shared meal becomes an invitation. The invitation turns into a conversation which becomes understanding. Understanding becomes respect.

The same principle exists in music.

Long before governments signed treaties or corporations connected global markets, communities built relationships through songs, stories, ceremonies, recipes, dances and cultural traditions. In my humble opinion, sharing culture was humanity's original diplomacy.

As I traveled throughout India, I found myself thinking often about the work we are doing through the DIVINA WORLD Foundation and our Indigenous & World Music Hall of Fame, Museum & Library initiative. Whether preserving Indigenous songs from North America, showcasing the traditional textile arts in Central America, or ancient musical and cultural traditions of India, the goal is ultimately the same: ensuring that future generations inherit not only information but virtual passports back to their own identity.

Culture is more than traditions. It is memory. It is belonging. It is a living bridge between past, present and future.

Perhaps the greatest lesson I learned involved faith and coexistence. Through conversations and observations, I gained a deeper understanding of Hinduism not a religion but a way of life, a way of being woven into daily existence. 

I also learned more about India's long history as home to people of many faiths, including  Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh and many other communities. For centuries, prior to the colonization of India, diverse communities contributed to the rich cultural tapestry that continues to define India today.

That realization stayed with me.

In a world that often seems divided by politics, ideology, religion and yes, many by cultural identity, I found hope in this part of India’s history. It reminded me that coexistence is not merely an idealistic dream. Human beings have done it before. Communities have found ways to share space, traditions and purpose while honoring and respecting their differences.

Travel changes us when we allow it to challenge our assumptions and expand our understanding. India certainly did that for me. It showed me wealth and poverty, innovation and tradition, struggle and resilience, heartbreak and hope existing side by side.

Most importantly, it reminded me that food, music, art, faith and family remain some of humanity's most powerful bridges.

We may come from different countries. We may speak different languages. We may worship differently and tell different stories…yet when we gather around a table, dance to a song, or share a piece of our culture, more often than not, if we are willing, we will discover we are far more alike than different.

And in my humble opinion, that realization may be exactly what the world needs right now.

To learn more about Gastro-Diplomacy and my conversation with Chef Ranjan Dey, watch my Wellness 360 interview on expandiTV - streaming now.