I have never been asked so much in my entire life what my nationality is than since I moved to Iowa. In Alaska and Eugene I was asked a few times but for the most part it wasn’t something many people cared about. Here I seem to get that question non-stop. From walking down the aisles in the Hy-Vee to handwritten letters and plenty of emails, everyone seems very curious as to where I am from. In fact I received a letter just a few weeks ago asking what Native American tribe I belong to.
My first response when someone asks me is usually to say Minnesota. I was born in Saint Paul and spent most of my childhood in Minnetonka where my parents still reside. However when I answer with this I usually get a quizzical look like I have not answered the whole question. I am going to clear it up once and for all 
I am a first generation American. My parents came to the United States from Lahore, Pakistan to go to the University of Minnesota. My dad came first and after a few years my mom followed him. They both intended to get degrees and return to the homeland but decided to stay instead. While they were at the University they formed one of the first Pakistani Students Associations and met many friends that they still talk to today. I also went to the University of Minnesota and joined that very organization that they helped form when I myself was in college.
My last name is an unusual one and I get many questions about that as well. Chughtai’s can be traced back to Genghis Khan. He had four sons one of which was named Chaghadai. Thus that is where it all started and we are decendents from him.
You may also have heard of Abdur Rehman Chughtai. Most do not know him but he was a influential painter who was known for his “Chughtai” style of art. He was born around the turn of the century in 1899 and is my mother’s uncle. After the partition of the subcontinent in 1947, he came to be known as the national artist of Pakistan. My mom’s brother now paints much in his same style and my parents collect much of his original artwork.
That is probably much more than you ever wanted to know about me but there it is Have a wonderful day!
Have a wonderful day!
A Painting By Abdur Rehman Chughtai
Posted under January 2012
This post was written by nchughtai on February 2, 2012
Thank You for the history lesson on your life . You are doing an awesome job in telling us about the news that is going on in the Cedar Valley and areas around the Waterloo and Cedar Falls area.
Margaret couldn’t have said it better!
…and I will add
You’ve been GREAT for KWWL!
I enjoyed reading about you. Thank you!
You have a look of royalty!!
Natasha, thank you so much for the valuable information about your family. I love it!!! You and Jeff do a fantastic job and I so enjoy waking up to you both on the week day mornings.
Thank you for sharing your family with us. We are blessed to have you here at KWWL.
About the party, save your time and energy to enjoy your guests rather than drive to MN. The party is about the people and frinedship not awesome food anyway. Your guests will have a fabulous time if you can just relax and enjoy the ride.
Thank you for the family history lesson. I guess Iowans are naturally snoopy people but with being in our homes every morning for breakfast you all feel like family. You are a great addition to the morning show. Appreciate all of you getting up so early to bring us the news and weather.
I agree with everyone above. I feel lost if I don’t get to watch the KWWL news in the morning. As to your family history, thank you for sharing. As I get older I am getting more interested in people’s family history. As we all share the wonderful earth together, it is fun to learn about other people’s history and about the similarities we share and the differences that make life interesting.
Thank you for your family history. I found it very interesting. I too thought your was native Indian……
Did I see you very shortly in a movie? You were a newscaster…..can’t remember the name of it…. Thank you again….
You make a wonderful addition to KWWL and I like others wake up to you and Jeff every morning.
You make a wonderful addition to KWWL and I, like others, wake up to you and Jeff every morning.
I also thank you for sharing your family history. Please don’t think less of us Iowans for asking about you. We just want to know who we are sharing our mornings with. Keep up the good work. You and Jeff are great to start our days with.
P.S. In case you are wondering but didn’t ask, I am of German descent
Hi Diann!
You did see me in the movie “State of Play” I had a very brief role..it was so fun!
Your entry reminded me of Hoda Kotb’s book. Her first chapter “What is you?” speaks of being asked about her background. Diversity is great!
We are all “from” somewhere. Love you.
Natasha,
I am a native Oregonian – duck down skin and web feet. I grew up in Portland. Did a master’s and doctorate at the U of O in Eugene 1974~1976. Now, like you, I find myself in Waterloo because our only grandchild lives here. Wayne Worthley
Hi Bev! I miss Oregon all the time! Love meeting a fellow Duck!
I – Wayne – am the DUCK. Bev is a Canadian.
Ya, sure, you betcha! Soo, you’re from Minne-soh-ta, eh!?