#kaushal

Poonam Kaushal and Nishkaam Mehta’s love story started at UC Irvine but the impact of their relationship is truly global. The couple decided to forgo a traditional wedding party in favor of something a little more charitable. In the spirit of giving back, they launched #MillionMealsForLove, a 30-day campaign on the United Nations World Food Programme’s “ShareTheMeal” app. Their goal is to provide a million meals to children affected by Boko Haram violence in Cameroon by Feb. 14, the day they plan to wed in a civil ceremony at L.A. City Hall. Here, Poonam (a pediatrician) and Nishkaam (a tech professional) discuss what brought them together and what motivates them to give back. 

What brought you to UC Irvine? In other words: Why UCI?

Great location and reputation. Somehow UC Irvine felt like a university that we could call home and our intuition was right. 

What was your major? What year did you attend and/or graduate?

We both attended from 2003-2007 and Poonam majored in neurobiology and Nishkaam majored in electrical engineering. 

How did you meet your sweetheart?  

We became good friends in 2003 when we both got involved in the Hindu Students Council club. That’s how we met with our good friends that we still are close with. Our friendship since UCI deepened over time and with our chemistry we knew that it wasn’t going to just be an ordinary friendship when we both came back to Southern California in 2011. We started spending more time together and started dating in 2012.

What attracted you to each other? 

Poonam: Nishkaam is an energetic guy and always thinking of ways to bring people together. As we became friends, this is what I found most attractive about him because he was so social/bubbly and always had a knack for finding great music. He started his own radio station at UCI--Chutney Radio. 

Nishkaam: I found Poonam to be really caring and loving from the start. I remembered she was always a good listener and someone that most everyone could rely on. As we became good friends, I really felt that she was special and had a soft spot for her.

How long have you been together? 

4.5 years! We got engaged in September 2016 and we will marry on February 14, 2017. 

Favorite love song/story/poem/book/movie?

Nishkaam proposed to ColdPlay’s “Yellow” as the sun was setting off the coast of Laguna Beach. It’s been a special song for us. 

Best Valentine’s Day present? 

Food! Our best present to each other has been cooking for each other! 

What are you planning for Valentine’s Day this year? 

We gave up a big wedding and donated our wedding money to fund 40,000 school meals to children in Cameroon via the United Nation’s World Food Programme mobile app ShareTheMeal. We have requested all our friends and family to donate to our team #MillionMealsforLove in lieu of wedding gifts. We are hoping this cause and our effort reaches the online community as well. Our goal is an ambitious one at 1 million meals. At the conclusion of this 30 day effort, we will marry in a civil ceremony on Valentine’s day.

What’s the secret to keeping a good love story going? 

Friendship and kindness :) 

How did UC Irvine play a part in your love story? 

We are from different parts of the world--Nishkaam from Mumbai, India and Poonam from Orange County, California. Without both of us deciding to attend UC Irvine, we don’t know how our paths would have crossed. UC Irvine was an integral landscape for setting up our foundation of friendship that would later blossom into our lifetime love story. 

What is the most romantic spot on campus? 

We will have to come back and find out! :) 

Any advice for Anteaters seeking love? 

Keep an open mind and meet lots of people. Sometimes the person you have been looking for all along is much closer than you think! 

 Anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you for the opportunity to share our share and our cause! We are honored and proud to be Anteaters :) 

Poonam and Nishkaam’s #MillionMealsForLove project in the news:  

World Food Program USA: http://bit.ly/2koPXEi

New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/11/fashion/weddings/the-pay-it-forward-wedding-when-i-do-becomes-i-do-more.html?_r=0