Vikas Khanna opens up on his daily ritual for his late sister, before starting the day at his restaurant
Mumbai, Aug 9
Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna appeared on the latest episode of the streaming chat show 'Shekhar Tonite', and spoke about his morning ritual that he does for his late sister, Radhika at his restaurant in New York.
After Radhika became ill and passed away, Vikas initially resisted opening another restaurant. However, his mother persuaded him to open the establishment as his sister wanted him to do it.
Vikas said on the show, "Before the pandemic, Radhika used to say, 'You don't understand that you have been gifted with something, that a percentage of the world, 30% of the world, feels that you are a family member. Don't make a restaurant this time. Make a home this time'. So, this conversation about home had started. And she said, 'Build a home. With money, restaurants can be opened. Homes cannot be built with money. Homes are built with people'. So, we have to create something like this. And then she fell sick. And after she passed away, the deliveries started coming. And I'm like, 'I'm not going to open a restaurant. I'm 50-plus. I don't need it'. It's not an easy job. But when things started happening, I kept remembering that same story".
"And every time, it reminded me, 'You have a promise to keep. Mama said this is the last promise. You promised her. She's watching'. So, it's difficult to open a restaurant with such a big dream. It's a small restaurant. So we decided to open it without reservations, on her birthday. That would have been her 50th birthday that day. Every morning, we have a glass roof, and I go up there. And I make a rangoli out of flowers. And after making the rangoli, I fold my hands. I say, 'If you're watching, this is for you'. Letting go is going to be hard for me. I'm not that guy. But I had made a ten-year promise", he added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Bhaai, this hits different. My sister is my best friend too, and I can't imagine life without her. The way he kept his promise despite being 50-plus and not wanting to open another restaurant... that's true brotherly love. And opening it on her 50th birthday without reservations? Pure class.
The rangoli made of flowers every morning is such a beautiful Indian tradition to carry forward in New York. It's like he's bringing a piece of India and his sister's memory together. His mother's wisdom in persuading him is also so typical of Indian families - they know how to heal us through love and purpose.
I've always admired Vikas Khanna's culinary talent, but this interview reveals his beautiful soul. The concept that homes are built with people, not money, is profound. Grief can be channeled into something meaningful, and he's done exactly that. RIP Radhika.
"Homes are built with people" - this line will stay with me forever. Vikas bhaiya is truly living his sister's dream. Making a rangoli from flowers as a daily ritual, saying "if you're watching, this is for you"... it's heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. The bond of Indian siblings is unmatched ❤️
Honestly, while this is a sweet sentiment and I respect his grief, I hope he's also getting proper support himself. Grief can be heavy, and honouring someone's memory by building something beautiful is good, but we Indians often forget to take care of our own mental health. I hope he's doing okay, not just for the
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