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 Faraway from the bustling cities of Chennai and Mumbai, there is a vibrant sub-population of Indians thriving in regions of New Jersey, America.
In one such region, called Edison Township, there are several thousands of Indians, and consequently that part of New Jersey is now being commonly known as Little India. Specifically, one road - Oak Tree Road - has become ‘Little India’. Little India is home to numerous stores, ranging from south Indian specialties, to jewellery stores, to authentic Indian restaurants and such.
The restaurants in the area cater to every type of Indian taste possible. From Gujarati food - which can be found in Sukhadia’s, to Tamil food in Swagat and Saravana Bhavan, to Mumbai pleasures that can be found in Khasiyat or
Chowpatty.
 The crowds at Saravana Bhavan are both inside
the restaurant and outside as numerous patrons await their turn
to sample the special thali, or the quick meal. Venugopal, from
Edison, New Jersey, who was a customer enjoying Saravana food,
said, “We like the food here. They are maintaining it here the
same way like in Chennai.”
Nagarajan, a native of Texas, said, “When
you come to NJ, don’t miss Saravana’s.”
Another customer, Shyam from South Brunswick,
NJ, added, “This is just like in Chennai.” Finally, the
recipes of Madras have made it to this continent restaurant
style. Saravana Bhavan gives a very homely feel and provides very
good food. Shyam continued, “Edison is very much Indianised.
Feels like India when you explore here.”
 Indian good is not the only thing that is
plentiful in Little India; there are a number of other stores.
Jewellery shops line the road on both sides, offering their
customers everything from simple 22 k necklaces and earrings, to
the precious stone items like diamonds, rubies and emeralds.
Rukmini Polepalli, said, “Sri Jewels
specialises in custom jewellery,” along with offering the
navratna, mangalsutra and other jewellery. Rukmini is the owner
of Sri Jewels, located at 75 Middlesex Avenue, Iselin, NJ.
One of Rukmini's customers - Priya Babu, said
Sri Jewels has a “great collection...particularly the thalis (mangalsutras)
and the earrings are exceptional”. Priya and her family are
frequent customers at Sri Jewels.
 Sri Jewels is only one of several jewellery
stores. The other jewellery stores around nearby include Virani
Jewels, Maharani Jewels, Raj Jewelers, Maa Durga Jewelers, Nina
Jewelers and Sona Jewels. In addition to the traditional
jewellery stores-there are a handful of gem stores that
specialise in valuable and beautiful collection pieces, these
stores include Abson Imports, Balaji Corals and Pearls, and
Aabhusan Jewelers.
Inside the store Just Jewelry, customers
examine costume jewellery sets, earrings, necklaces, and bangles
in every colour of the rainbow. Manisha, an employee there, said,
“The store owner is very nice…he treats us like family.”
Another employee, Krishna, in the middle of
showing customers some bangles and sets, added, “I like working
in jewellery stores.” Krishna elaborated further that, “Edison
is good, it’s colourful, and there is a big Indian population
here.” Basically, you don’t miss India when you are here,
because it feels like India.
 Kalpana Patel, a customer purchasing bangles,
said, “I like the collection here. I can match it to my sarees
very easily.”
Of course, where there are jewellery stores,
you know that clothing stores are never far behind. Saree Bazaar
is one of many Indian clothing stores that line the street. In
addition to Saree Bazaar, you have Maharani Fashions,
Chikansarees, Kanha Collections, Binny Silks, Khajana Fashions,
Libaas Fashions, Shagun Fashions, and Shoba Fashions.
Each of these stores has a unique perspective
to Indian fashion. Chikansarees specialises in chikan sarees, or
hakoba sarees that many women admire. Binny Silks can offer you
the brocades and zari sarees that women love to look and then
buy. Sarees are only one item. Door-to-door you can find sales on
salwars, lehengas, and the hottest item of the season - short or
long sleeved kurtis.
 Lakshmi Venkat, looking at sarees at Saree
Bazaar, said, “I need to find several sarees. We are having an
Indian wedding in America. And, Oak Tree Road allows me to do
that. I can find sarees in every colour of the rainbow. I need to
start shopping — I have lots to buy — lehengas, salwars and
ghagra cholis.”
Aside from these, Little India is also home to
a handful of makeover shops. From Falguni and Neeta’s to Payal
Beauty parlour, men and women can make themselves over from
haircuts to eyebrow waxing. You can come into Edison looking like
something, and you can leave it completely different, decked out
in new ensembles from head to toe.
 Lastly, Little India also consists of grocery
stores. After all, you cannot create mouth-watering Indian
recipes without the Indian ingredients. Subzi Mandi, Patel Cash
and Carry, Apna Bazaar and Dana Bazaar, and many others offer
dals, fresh veggies, fast foods and more.
Sweta Patel, a visitor to Subzi Mandi, said,
“You can find all sorts of Indian groceries here. Toor dal to
chapatti and unique Indian vegetables like coriander and white
pumpkin.”
 Vasantha Reddy, picking up dals, added, “There
is a big collection here. You can make all Indian cuisine by
finding the right dals, right spices, everything.”
Little India’s stores boast all sorts of
special deals that cater to all types of the population, Indian
and even the interested Americans. You would need to spend more
than one day if you intend to see everything. No matter what you
are looking for, colour, size, and design - -you can find it in
the avenue of stores that compose Little India.
 A day in Edison can consist of a makeover in
one of Little India’s beauty parlours. Then a visit to any of
the numerous fashion stores to reinvent your wardrobe. Finally, a
visit to the delicious restaurants will put you in a truly Indian
mindset, despite the fact that you are 10,000 miles away from
Mumbai or Chennai.
Visit Little India and you too will see what
all the fuss is about. However, be warned - parking is hectic
particularly during the weekends, so go early — stay late and
most importantly — Enjoy Yourself!! ?
Priyanka Narayanan
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