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Driven by a passion that borders on obsession that developed in me at a very young age I always knew I was going to be a chef.

Phone:      (864) 241.6689
E-mail:      [email protected]
Address:   Greenville, SC
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Chef Veera

Veera as a Baby

Why does she always say, “BE BRAVE”?

 

Many of you have been asking about where my commonly used phrase “BE BRAVE” originated from. Here are excerpts from a letter my Mom wrote to me when I asked her for an explanation on why I was named –

VEERA SHREYA

 

It was late in the evening on the 18th of December 1967 when the Government fell in Calcutta. By night, curfew was declared, the Army was called out and shoot-on-sight orders were announced. It was complete chaos with rioting and looting throughout the city. Ultimately the Communist led government fell and Martial law was declared. Your Father and I were in our bedroom, listening to the 9:00 pm news broadcast when you suddenly announced your arrival. A full ten weeks early!

 

Etched in my mind forever, is the look of sheer bewilderment and panic on your father’s face. He ran out into that fearful night to plead with any willing taxi driver brave enough to come out to take us to the closest Clinic. God bless that old taxi driver willing to risk his life for us. We made it to the nearest Clinic which had just opened in an old rundown building. Inside was one open dorm room and one very small operating room with absolutely no equipment, including no incubator and one very unqualified Doctor. This Doctor told your Dad you had less than a 5% chance of living and that your twin was lost. She also hinted that a young UK-educated Pediatrician might be available if we wanted to reach out to him. We did!

 

Around 12:30 you were brought to me in your little bassinet. I sat on my bed and just gazed at you for the next hour or more and wondered at your bravery. You were so tiny, all of 2 lbs. 9 ozs. skinny and tall (17 inches in fact), and yet you fought, breathe after breathe, to live. Where were you drawing that strength from? How long could you hold on? That was the longest night that I had ever been through.

 

Into this dark world of anxiety and fear, stepped in, our very own personal savior. Dr. Debu Chatterjee. A dapper little gentleman in a smart tie and a well cut, fitted three piece suit. Efficient and quick, he pulled up a chair, set his bag down, took off his jacket and immediately proceeded to examine you. He barely said two words to me but concentrated on you. He watched, waited and began pumping injection after injection at regular intervals. Examining you and treating you. Through the night he slowly shed his tie and waistcoat. And so it went for 5 full hours. He was willing you to pull through, as much as I was praying and you were struggling and fighting to live. Eventually at 7 am of the 19th, Dr. Chatterjee turned to me and said, “Don’t worry Mrs. Sarawgi, your baby will live.”

 

You fought and gained that victory for life. That battle was your own, and those of us who saw that struggle could not call it anything except extreme bravery. “Veer” in Hindi. So was it so difficult to choose your name? You were our Veera – our own Brave.

And you were our – “Shreshth” in Hindi it means the first. Not necessarily first born. But the forerunner, the first among equals. The first.  Shreya for us.

And that is how you have your name – Veera Shreya. You have always lived up to your name by facing all odds head on and fearlessly.

We couldn’t have chosen better.

 

Mom

 

My Mom and Dad went through so much just to give me an opportunity to have a chance at this thing called life, but, they didn’t stop there. They went on to ingrain in me the ability to challenge myself every day.  To believe I was capable of anything I wanted to achieve. It was their belief in me that allowed me to train as a chef in India, to come to the US alone and eventually get my Ph.D., to become chief academic officer of a major University and to be brave enough to start my own business with Joe. Now I am launching ChefVeera.com which not only is allowing me to return to my first love, food, but also gives me the venue to inspire people the way they, and so many other mentors in my life since, have inspired me. Thanks, Amma and Papa (Mom and Dad) I also couldn’t have chosen better.

 

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Comments
  • Natalie
    August 13, 2020

    Dear, sweet sister-in-law, I always knew you were special, but this story explains so much. What an inspirational story.

  • Natalie
    August 13, 2020

    Love the reminder to always be brave!

  • Rhett
    August 13, 2020

    I love this story!!!

  • Larry Rice
    August 13, 2020

    Chef Veera,

    What an inspirational and beautiful story.! Your mom’s words ring true for me and for anyone who has been honored to work with you. Through the many years I’ve known you, you have modeled incredible character, integrity, and most certainly… bravery. -Larry

  • Judi
    August 13, 2020

    I never knew that story! How lovely. And your mom’s voice rings through so clearly in her words. Love to you both.

  • Dr. Guy Alba
    August 13, 2020

    Hi Veera – You certainly lived up to your name and carried on the tradition of bravery. I remember when we first met; you were starting your adventure in this country as a truly amazing university administrative assistant, and I was following a lifelong dream changing careers to become a teacher. You told me later how you were so afraid when you arrived in this country that you almost turned right around and went back home! Instead, your leadership helped the university program grow and you skyrocketed up to the very highest administrative levels. Your bravery and educational leadership was inspirational. You brought great honor to your family, Veera.

  • Christine Butterfield
    August 13, 2020

    Love this story!! Thank you for sharing your beginnings Veera! We are so fortunate and Blessed that you we brave and are able to share your love of food and knowledge with us!

  • Grace Dcruz
    August 14, 2020

    Veera Shreya, you have more than lived upto your name. Your parents….they had to be oh so brave too. Proud to know you and have you in our family. Much love

  • Karen Siefert
    August 14, 2020

    What an amazing and wonderful letter about an amazing wonderful lady. Thanks for sharing.

  • Donna Thomsen
    August 15, 2020

    I remember this story from a walk you and I took through a beautiful garden while attending a conference in CA. I was amazed and moved then just as I am on hearing it yet again. I am so happy to know your parents and Piya and all the members of your incredible family. They certainly did choose the perfect name for you, my friend.

  • G
    August 15, 2020

    No past tense there, Veera.

  • Donna Remington
    August 15, 2020

    And you show your bravery again and again with each new adventure. May this adventure be your best yet.

  • Sherry
    November 20, 2020

    Wow! I just read the story of your arrival into life. You continue to impress and amaze me. Thank you for sharing such a personal and profound story. And thank you for sharing YOU with us. So glad to know you!

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