In a country like India, we don’t want to put everyone in one big mixture. We have a different language, culture and cuisine for each region, even though we are united in the larger context. We are more like a fruit salad, where each ingredient has its own specialty, each fruit its distinct flavor, and together, the salad makes a tasty dish, without losing the individuality of each constituent.

It is very, very important that I take them back to Ireland every year. It’s so easy to get caught up in the mass culture here. It’s important that they know they have another tradition and a heritage that is a gift to them.