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Deepak SinghDS

Deepak Singh

Deepak Singh is a writer, radio producer and journalist. He has written for The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Atlantic and NPR. He's the author of two books: Chasing America: Of Lollipops, Night Clubs and Ferocious Dogs and How May I Help You? An Immigrant's Journey from MBA to Minimum Wage.
A white nationalist carries the Confederate flag as he arrives for a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, US, August 12, 2017.
Culture
Of Confederate flag cellphone accessories and Charlottesville
When Deepak Singh moved to the US from India, he took a downwardly mobile journey from MBA to minimum wage.
Jobs
An Indian immigrant’s US journey ‘from MBA to minimum wage’
Winter scene of a barn covered in snow
Culture
He’s lived in small towns across America — and it makes him look for pieces of home
Ram Advani in his bookshop, Ram Advani Booksellers. He ran it for more than a half century.
Books
My friend, the bookseller of Lucknow
A surfer showers off on the beach in Cardiff, California.
Lifestyle
I forgot the art of showering in cold water
An employee takes a donut from a display cabinet at the Dunkin' Donuts store in New Delhi, India.
Food
My American donut habit has followed me home to India
It's common to see condom ads on billboards and on TV in India.
Culture
In India, condom ads are everywhere, but you can’t talk openly about sex
The Indian version of American chopsuey
Food
I yearned for an Indian version of an American version of a Chinese dish
An American flag cake
Culture
He’ll eat a piece of the July 4 cake to celebrate 5 years of being an American
Heavy traffic along a busy road in New Delhi
Culture
I never knew traffic could smell so sweet
Deepak Singh's mother, Nirmala. He says it would be almost insulting to send her a Mother's Day card.
Culture
I’ve never sent my mother a Mother’s Day card
People take part in the Holi celebrations in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
Culture
This winter, we could all use a little Holi
Employees work inside a RadioShack store in New York on February 5, 2015. The company filed for bankruptcy the same day.
Culture
How I got to know my new home in America by working at RadioShack
My mother performs many religious rituals. This one is called Griha Parvesh, a Hindu house warming ceremony. My father makes fun of them all.
Belief
What I learned growing up with a devout Hindu mom — and an atheist dad who made fun of her
When Deepak Singh is out with his lighter-skinned daughter here in the US, people seem confused that he's her father.
Culture
‘Papa, you are brown, and I am white’
This is Sahu Cinema Hall, in the center of my hometown, Lucknow, India. I watched hundreds of movies there when I was kid, and it brings back lots of memories for me.
Culture
When I try to belong in America, I long for India — and vice versa
Flashy multi-colored lights from China have become popular in India for the Hindu festival of Diwali. But this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is asking Indians to go the traditional route and use clay oil pots made in India.
Culture
I wanted the flashy electric lights for Diwali, but my dad wanted the boring oil lamps
A young boy drinks tea in the early morning inside a train at Agra Cantt Railway Station in Agra, India.
Culture
Half the fun of taking the train in India is the food
A box of Mithai, the sweets that are an ever-present staple of social life in India.
Culture
Why the sugary sweetness of mithai is a social currency in India
A teacher in Kolkata conducts a lesson during a particularly bad power outage that swept across India in July, 2012.
Development
In India, reliable electricity is no guarantee
Rakhia are "sacred threads" that sisters tie onto their brothers' wrists for the Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan.
Culture
I’m supposed to be my sister’s keeper, but she’s the one who looks after me
I tried to buy a Hindi book in Lucknow, but they're not that easy to find. Most of the books for sale seem to be English titles.
Global Politics
When I went home to India, I tried to speak Hindi but everyone wanted to speak English
I tried to buy a Hindi book in Lucknow, but they're not that easy to find. Most of the books for sale seem to be English titles.
Global Politics
When I went home to India, I tried to speak Hindi but everyone wanted to speak English
Lifestyle & Belief
I never expected sticker shock in New Delhi
A child sits on a heap of mangos at a fruit wholesale market in Kodur village, about 650 km (404 miles) south of the southern Indian city of Hyderabad.
Lifestyle & Belief
I think it’s too hot to go home to India. But then I think of the mangoes
Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi, the prime ministerial candidate for India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), takes a "selfie" after casting his vote at a polling station during the seventh phase of India's general election.
Global Politics
I used to think of Pakistan as my enemy, until I met someone from Pakistan
A Hindu temple in South Bend, Indiana.
Arts, Culture & Media
I learned more about India after I moved to the US
Arts, Culture & Media
So what if it’s cold? You’re in America. You’ll be fine!
Arts, Culture & Media
The new year means old traditions for many around the world
Gay rights activists wave flags and shout slogans as they attend a protest against a verdict by the Supreme Court in New Delhi December 11, 2013.
Lifestyle & Belief
Growing up in India, I never met an openly gay person
Reporter Deepak Singh (in blue shirt) shopping on Black Friday 2013.
Business, Economics and Jobs
My first Black Friday reminded me of pilgrimages back home in India
Sachin Tendulkar hits a shot during a match against New Zealand in Hyderabad, August 23, 2012.
Sports
My cricket hero is retiring, the sport will never be the same for me
Lucknow, India (Photo: Deepak Singh)
Arts, Culture & Media
Not in America but still in America
Arts, Culture & Media
India Food Subsidies and Maharaja Macs
Global Politics
My Failed Calls to Send Ramadan Greetings from Lucknow to Lahore
Environment
Reflecting on India’s Monsoon Rains
Arts, Culture & Media
After More Than 150 Years, India to End Telegram Service
Business, Economics and Jobs
Foreign workers in U.S. consider leaving