What can you expect
from ‘A Desi Woman’?
I am an Indian American woman whose full-time role is in Finance at a Fortune 50 and am based in the U.S. I was inspired to launch this podcast series to amplify stories & narratives from around the world. We are all connected beyond Race, Religion, Caste, Color, or Geography and OUR stories matter. There is no force equal to those who are determined to rise, we will change the world, and the time is NOW.
“The world we are experiencing today is the result of our collective consciousness, and if we want a new world, each of us must start taking responsibility for helping create it.”
WHO IS SONIYA GOKHALE

As an American woman with deep ties to India, I honor my cultural and spiritual beliefs which are part of my Indian heritage, while holding my identity as an American close to my heart. This site was started when I asked myself a fundamental question–How can I use my life to ‘Be the Change’ that I want to see in the world? Thus, I boldly strive to be the embodiment of a global citizen in a changing world order whereby Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play in making this a better world. Every individual makes a difference. A Desi Woman is much more than a podcast or website. It is a movement and the time is NOW. Join me as we seek to have global voices, narratives and stories amplified, shared and honored with a world wide audience & community. My personal life’s journey has been forever changed since I started to interview guests for this series. The thought leaders whom I have been so privileged to meet have unabashedly shared their narratives, perspectives & powerful voices about overcoming obstacles and issues facing our communities in the US & globally.
Namaste, Soniya
SOUTH ASIAN FACTS
India's middle class will be 41% of the population by 2025
More than 1.6 billion people live in South Asia and speak at least 20 major languages.
Nearly 5.4 million South Asians live in the U.S. The South Asian community in the United States comprises of individuals with ancestry from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
It is predicted that by 2065, Asian Americans are on track to be the largest immigrant population in the U.S., driven largely by the South Asian population that “grew at a staggering 40 percent in seven years — from 3.5 million in 2010 to 5.4 million in 2017.
South Asia is home to the world’s largest group of young people, making them the most powerful force for transformational change in the region
Indians comprise the largest segment of the South Asian community in the U.S.--making up over 80 percent of the total population, followed by Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Nepali, Sri Lankans, and Bhutanese.”
This podcast is an informed, unbiased platform for a global community to be seen, heard and connected with one another. Through these connections, we shall be empowered to change the world in whatever capacity we wish to do so. I seek to create alliances and organizations through this podcast that will help current & future generations regardless of Socioeconomics, Political Affiliations or Education.
“Another world is not only possible, She is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing”–Arundhati Roy