As a parent there are messages you formulate, try to embody, and strive impart in your child. You can live and speak your message all you want but at some point you realize that influencers outside your immediate nuclear circle that also embody those values are imperative. For those of us who don’t have support networks of family living nearby, we must find other channels to bring in and reinforce those positive messages that we so sincerely want our kids to see, hear, and experience. For us, Kruti fills that space. Dina Aunty and Shemoni Didi are strong, dedicated, accomplished, and sincere women at whom I can confidently point when I want to show my daughter what can be accomplished when one is brave enough to dream, believe, work hard, and follow through. At Kruti, Noi is learning invaluable life skills and qualities such as confidence, discipline, self-control, a positive image of her body and her physical and mental capabilities, and the courage to stand up in front of a crowd and express herself. There isn’t another organization that is able to reinforce all of these things so well plus provide the sense of family the way Kruti does. Noi has been at Kruti since she was just 1½ years old and we are looking forward to her continuing to grow as both dancer and as a well-rounded, confident person under the guidance of Dina Aunty, Shemoni Didi, and Ashima Didi.