Intergenerational Inspiration with Nikhil Arora, Co-Founder of Back To The Roots
I am delighted to share my interview with Nikhil Arora, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Back to the Roots. It was the inspiring role his grandparents played in his childhood that influenced his life journey and entrepreneurial career. His grandparents’ wisdom on health & wellness and the environment is what has guided Nikhil to dedicating his life and work to bettering the world. Below is our powerful conversation:
1. Intergenerational relationships traditionally focus on people who are “skipped”, non-adjacent generations like grandparents and grandchildren. Have you had someone in your life from a different generation who greatly inspired you?
Yes, my grandfather, Jai Dev Bajaj, and grandmother, Satya Munjal Bajaj, whom I lovingly called Nanaji & Naniji, were two of my greatest inspirations in life. They represented a purity of spirit that created a seemingly infinite depth of wisdom. They both passed in the last year. I’m lucky to say that some of my most profound and fun experiences in life have been spent with them.
2. What is something you enjoyed doing with him and what did you learn?
Nanaji was a man who represented something far bigger than his own body or personal accomplishments — he represented a connection to not only an era, but a way of life that seems hard to find these days. He had the sharpest memory and Urdu poems could cut through the air with their timely wisdom. Throughout his life, and even at 95, he valued body and mind health. It could be pouring rain outside, 12 a.m. after a late night, but he’d get in a walk; he’d always find a way to get his walk in. I have yet to see this same dedication replicated.
3. How has this relationship continued to impact you? Is there something you do or a motto you follow in your personal or professional life that came from that intergenerational connection?
My grandfather would always tell me, “when you have health, you have hope. And, when you have hope, you have everything.” He was my inspiration for my own wellness journey. It was his connection to the Earth and his passion for gardening and food that truly influenced me and ultimately helped me find my own destiny with Back to the Roots. “If you want to live long, plant a garden,” he’d say. His passion and pride for each and every one of the trees and plants in his garden is clear in my memory. Health to him was positivity; it was strength, nourishment and physical wellness.
4. Is there someone in your life now from a younger generation in which you have a special reverse-mentoring relationship? What types of experiences do you share together?
As I reflect on the impact Nanaji and Naniji had on me, I’m inspired by the impact intergenerational relationships can have. Despite 60 years between us, Nanaji and I considered each other best friends. I have been blessed with amazing nephews and nieces and I cherish the opportunity to call them my best friends as well and pass on positive energy and inspiration as they forge their own paths.
5. How do you encourage intergenerational relationships in your family, business or community
Family is at the core of Back to the Roots’ mission. We want to bring families together — kids, parents, grandparents — through the power of food and gardening. We think there is nothing more personal than food and being able to share that experience through gardening, growing and cooking — it’s these things that makes us human. Through our line of organic gardening kits, we want to help families reconnect to food and nature, and in the process, to themselves and each other. Some of my best memories are planting the Back to the Roots gardening kits with my grandparents and I love seeing the joy others share with similar experiences. Whether you’re 5 or 75, we want everyone to experience the magic and joy of gardening.
6. Is there a book, movie or piece of art that has reminded you about the importance and power of intergenerational inspiration?
I love The Little Prince. I can’t help but be reminded of my grandparents when I read this line, “In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the night sky.”
7. How can our readers follow you and learn more about your work?
www.BacktotheRoots.com | Instagram: @BacktotheRoots_Official & @Nikhil_BacktotheRoots| Twitter: @NikhilArora
Wow! Nikhil, thank you for sharing about your grandparents and the amazing impact they had on you! I’m excited to learn about and share about your company, Back to the Roots! That is what we need in this world — to get back to our roots — literally and figuratively! Thank you for all you do and may your work continue to prosper, connecting us to Mother Earth and to one another.
