Ismat Mangla, Editor-in-Chief
Tired of answering the question, "No, but where are you from?," Ismat promptly replies with a firm "Kalamazoo, Michigan" and moves on, dodging people's attempts at discerning her cultural heritage. Unless she likes the questioner, in which case she'll reply that her parents are originally from Pakistan, and that yes, there really is a Kalamazoo. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Ismat loves poring over every magazine she can get her hands on, traveling to far-reaching corners of the world and eating Thai food as frequently as possible. Her idea of bliss is to combine the three by taking a trip to Thailand, where "Thai food" is, simply, food, and writing about her experience in Nirali. For now, she settles on editing Nirali while eating take-out from her favorite Thai restaurant. You can reach Ismat at ismat@niralimagazine.com.

Priya Patel, Art Director
A recent transplant to the great city of New York by way of the north shore of Massachusetts, Priya Patel is loving every nuance of the art, design, fashion and cultural mecca she now calls home. A recent graduate of the University at Buffalo with degrees in communication design and in marketing, she now divides her time between a job she loves to death and furnishing and decorating her new studio apartment. She tends to crush on beautifully-designed inanimate objects such as drawer pulls and lighting fixtures, and admitting to such makes her a little bit bashful. Obsessions are far too many to list at once but include Italian furniture, Phaidon books, 1950s fashion, Carolina Herrera and Nutella. She is also currently in ♥ with the idea of spring. Email Priya at priya@niralimagazine.com to comment on the design of the site or to suggest new features.

Nakasha Ahmad, Associate Editor
Having spent two years teaching English essay-writing in Pakistan, associate editor Nakasha Ahmad moved back to the home of the brave last year to pursue a doctorate in political philosophy at Bowling Green State University. Born in Maryland, but alas, raised in Indiana, Nakasha fills her time bounding from Nirali interview to Nirali interview and cramming some philosophical stuff in between. She enjoys photography and writing, adores horseback riding, reading and traveling, and wishes she had time to dabble in pottery. Nakasha graduated from Saint Mary's College (in Notre Dame, Indiana) with majors in political science, philosophy and English literature, and a minor in women's studies. (She's still not quite sure how she escaped the doctor-engineer-computer programmer paradigm unscathed.) Still undecided about what she wants to do when she grows up, Nakasha has not ruled out law school. Reach Nakasha at nakasha@niralimagazine.com.

Deepa Kamath, Associate Editor
Deepa is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where she earned a bachelor's degree in biopsychology and cognitive science and a master's in public health degree in toxicology and reproductive and women's health. Currently a second year medical student in Chicago, she sometimes feels like she will be in school for the rest of her life. Deepa is an avid reader, but admits to watching more TV than she really should. Deepa also enjoys traveling, kickboxing and progressive politics. She would like to learn more about photography and yoga and become more fluent in Konkani, her native language. Deepa also thinks this is beginning to sound alarmingly like a "biodata," and in the interest of full disclosure, would like to add that she is 5'4" with dark brown hair and green eyes. You can talk to Deepa by emailing her at deepa@niralimagazine.com.

Vikram Tank, Photo Editor
Words to describe Vikram V. Tank (the V. stays in to keep mom and dad happy) are hard to come by because, well, they simply don't exist in the English language. You can't find tall - dark - handsome - smart - witty - funny - sexy - hot - caring - romantic - wonderful - artistic - happy - noir - mysterious - ish in the dictionary. There's a depth here that can't be fathomed, though many have tried. Vikram currently works in magazine publishing and recently graduated from that bastion of South Asian-ity, Rutgers University. He loves fun, interesting things, thinks he knows everything, and is probably the funniest - smartest - sexiest (see, we told you he's hard to describe) man we know. At the present moment we're sure he's off in pursuit of some madcap idea that can only be described as childish - silly - unique - adventuresome. Email him at vikram@niralimagazine.com.

Roxanna Kassam, Contributing Editor
Roxanna Kassam lives in Toronto, Canada, where she is pursuing her MBA so that her parents will finally have something to brag about. She was shocked to discover that, unlike Bollywood film lore, getting her MBA did not involve a tearful goodbye to her parents, followed by the execution of complicated dance moves with Shahrukh Khan against a London backdrop. Nonetheless, she is managing. In her spare time, she enjoys good fiction, writing on her web site, www.planetroxy.com, and pointy shoes. Email her at roxanna@niralimagazine.com.