Nanda Mehta is a giant for the South Asian community in San Diego.
She is the founder and managing director of Ahaana, a South Asian organization based here. Her exuberant, charismatic personality comes through in all the events she has hosted in San Diego since 2013.
Having been active in Indian organizations from the time she was 19, it was natural for Mehta to create Ahaana and launch “Yoni Ki Baat.” YKB is the South Asian version of The Vagina Monologues and has received rave reviews and strong attendance for the live performances. She encourages men and women to speak about subjects that are huge taboos in South Asian culture.
She grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. That spirit led her to create a number of initiatives within Ahaana that serve the local community. Domestic violence can be prevalent within South Asian families, but it is rarely spoken about. Ahaana has specific initiatives to women coming out of high-conflict situations.
She has also created a South Asian meetup for singles in San Diego. It had Zoom meetings during the pandemic, and she is excited about resuming in-person meetings.
Being ionate about social justice, Mehta was moved when she saw a documentary about the treatment of widows in India. Her mom and aunt are widows, and she saw the privilege they have compared to the widows who are forced to beg for alms on the banks of the Varansi river in India. She felt that was barbaric. To assist the widows, she created an effort within Ahaana called the SWANS Initiative, which works with non-governmental organizations in India that disenfranchised widows and also women who are survivors of acid attacks.
By the time she was 17, Mehta had lived on three continents — Asia, Africa and North America. Her parents worked as expatriates in a number of countries. These early beginnings as a global citizen have fermented the communities she creates, no matter where she lives.
“I follow my ions with conviction, confidence and unabashed abandon,” she said
She exudes radiance, kindness, charisma and joy. She has a ion for creating bridges and enhancing understanding of South Asian culture. She is dubbed “The Connector” and is a highly successful networker who has opened many doors for of all communities.
She is an active member and president of the Producers Club Committee at KPBS and has increased the awareness of South Asian culture within its hip. She regularly gives to staff to encourage inclusiveness of South Asian culture in San Diego.
Her driving force in life is the she receives from her mother and her family.
“The more they unconditionally believe in me, the more I’m inspired to give back to my community.”
Having been a community volunteer all her life, Mehta says that she feels alive when she is serving her community.
For more information on please go to www.ahaana.org or email Nanda at [email protected]
About this series
Divya Kakaiya, Ph.D., is a member of the U-T’s Community Advisory Board. She is a psychologist and neuroscientist and is CEO of Healthy Within, a Brain Health Neuro Clinic.
Someone San Diego Should Know is a weekly column written by of the U-T’s Community Advisory Board about local people who are interesting and noteworthy because of their experiences, achievements, creativity or credentials.
