Friday, June 19, 2015
A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
This evening we gathered in this beautiful
facility, Devonshire, to celebrate the 75th birthday of a man, who in
his own way, has made an impact on other people and this world. We also honor
his faithful and loving wife, Vijaya, who has constantly stood beside him with
support and love for so many years.
Besides this, we are celebrating their
citizenship in Canada, and to honor their wonderful family who are visiting
this week from the United States.
On June 19, 1940, Somayya Kasani was born into
a family of agriculturists in southern India. It was a world of turmoil
recently torn open by world war. India was still in British control while
Gandhi was a towering force for tolerance and change. Somayya grew up and
became the first in his family to receive a higher education, which allowed him
to become a successful teacher, passing on his skill and knowledge for 33 years
until his retirement in the 1990’s.
First visiting Canada in 2000, he and his
wife, Vijaya, moved to Canada in 2006, becoming Canadian citizens several years
later.
I first met Somayya in 2008 when he was
completing an Administrative Professional Program at Campbell College. At the
college, Somayya demonstrated his interest in innovation and his commitment to
new technological tasks such as working with computers.
Also, in 2008 he joined the Alberta New
Democratic Party and has served as a board member of Whitemud Provincial
Constituency and Edmonton-Leduc Federal Riding. Since then he as has attended
several provincial conventions in Edmonton, Calgary, and Red Deer. In addition
he worked on elections campaigns in 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2015. He served as
vice-chairperson of the NDP Multicultural Standing Committee in 2010.
Somayya also attended several political,
social, science and art conferences in Alberta, Seattle, San Jose and India,
and is a member of the Ankur Cultural Society, serving as vice-president from
2010-2011.
Somayya has dedicated his life to learning
more about people and improving the world. He enjoys reading and reciting the
great minds of both Western and Eastern philosophies. In 2011 he joined Life Long
Learners Association, taking courses at the U of A.
But his first priority is obviously his lovely
family: his wife, son, two daughters, their spouses, and especially his beloved
four grandchildren.
Somayya has many interesting hobbies. One is
taking pictures at meetings, parties, and social gatherings. If you see someone
taking photographs in a group or asking you to take a picture that he can flash
over Facebook, chances are you have run into Somayya. Don’t refuse. Just do as
you are told. He will show you the marvelous results later.
Somayya loves to attend meetings so he can
socialize and hear about new ideas involving politics, literature and
philosophy. So he loves attending any gatherings whether it is a party,
meeting, or special event. For example, he has had a commitment to Daughters’
Day celebration and even helped once with the Cari-West parade in early August.
Another activity that Somayya enjoys is
meeting for coffee with our esteemed coffee group comrades or with me or other
friends. Once at McDonald’s, Second Cup, Tim Hortons or Starbucks, Somayya will
listen intensely to the discussion going around the table, contribute a few
pertinent points, ask for some advice on some project, and use his I-pad to
show others his numerous pictures of his family, friends and acquaintances whom
he has encountered.
I’m afraid, however, Somayya does not seem to
enjoy our cold, snowy northern climate, for he is a snowbird who flees south at
the first sign of winter and stays a good portion of the time until the birds
return. He does have another reason and that is to visit his precious children,
his beloved grandchildren and their families who live in the United States.
Once in Seattle or Atlanta he continues to do what he does best here: visit
people and sites, attend meetings and parties and take pictures that he
forwards to us who are freezing back in Canada.
As stated before, Somayya is the first person
in his family to pursue a higher education, having worked as a successful
teacher in India until retirement. His great contribution is serving as a
mentor and role model for his children who have obtain higher education and
excellent jobs in India and now the United States. Now they will pass on this
wonderful gift to their own children. What a legacy for the future! Thanks to
Somayya and his dedicated wife, Vijaya!
Happy 75th birthday, Somayya!
Bob Price
780-437-9694 rogp@shaw.ca
Robert Price - Biography
Robert was born in Bassano, Alberta, in 1940. Later his family moved to the coal-mining town of Nordegg and lived there until 1949 when the family moved to Redwater, an oil town about 70 kilometres north of Edmonton. Robert graduated from Redwater High School in 1958, moving on the University of Alberta Faculty of Education. He graduated with a B.Ed. in 1963 with a major in social studies and a minor in English. He completed his B.A. degree in 1967 after several summer sessions and one year at the University of Alberta.
Robert first teaching assignment was at Newbrook, a tiny community north of Edmonton. Later, during the 1960’s and 1970’s he taught at Evansburg, Niton, and Hinton for Yellowhead School Division. During this time he participated in several activities involving the Alberta Teachers’ Association, several community organizations, coached in school sports, and was a founding member of the Yellowhead Athletic Association. Robert also served as vice-principal at Niton Central School from 1970-74.
Later, Robert taught at Valleyview High School, Innisfail, Centennial Montesorri School and the Grande Cache campus of Grande Prairie Regional College, serving as campus coordinator from 1997-2003.
Robert first joined the New Democratic Party in 1968, campaigning for Grant Notley when he ran in Whitecourt-Edson Constituency. In 1971, Robert ran as NDP campaign in the same riding. Since then, he canvassed in a number of political campaigns for the party including those of Noel Lapierre in West Yellowhead. Robert was an organizer and speechwriter, as well as member of the executive, serving as president and treasurer at various time.
In 2003, Robert moved to Edmonton, did some tutoring and became involved in the Edmonton-Rutherford Provincial Constituency where he served as treasurer as well a becoming the official agent for candidates in 2008 and 2012. Also, he campaigned in several Federal campaigns, serving as president of Edmonton-Leduc from 2007-2011.
Robert also attended the Provincial Council during his years a s a party member and as well as a number of Provincial Conventions.
EDUCATION:
Robert graduated from high school in Redwater, a small oil town about 70 kilos north of Edmonton and attended the University of Alberta.
1963- Graduated from U of A with B.Ed degree with a major in social studies and a minor in English.
1967- Graduated from U of A with a B.A. degree with a major history.
1979-80- Took courses in journalism at SAIT in Calgary.
1987-90- Took courses towards a diploma in adult education and teaching English as a Second language
PROFESSIONAL:
Taught for 35 years in school systems in Alberta:
1. Public-Yellowhead School Division- 1963- 1976
2. Public- East Smoky School Division- 1977-79
3. Private- Montessori School – Edmonton – 1982-1988
4. Grande Prairie Regional College (Grande Cache Campus) – 1992-2003
5. Served as vice-principal of Niton Central School from 1970-74.
6. Served as campus co-ordinator at Grande Cache Campus- 1997-2003.
7. Did private tutoring for a number of years as well in subjects like social studies, English, English as a Second Language and mathematics.
VOLUNTARY:
1. Served as coach and co-ordinator for a variety of high school sports including volleyball and basketball while teaching at several schools. Won several championships in both these sports.
2. Member of the Yellowhead Athletic Committee for ten years and wrote the original constitution for that organization.
3. Served as a member of the Alberta Social Studies Council and treasurer for the local organization for two years.
4. Served as sub-local president and secretary for a number of years from 1963-74.
5. Also served several years as ARA representative for Alberta teachers.
6. Member of the board of a native outreach organization while in Grande Cache. From 1997-2002.
7. Member and treasurer of the community organization in Niton Junction.
8. Has done much writing including several novels, short stories, and over 200 essays.
NDP INVOLVEMENT:
1. Became a party member in 1968.
2. Campaigned for Grant Notley in 1968 election.
3. Ran as a NDP candidate for Whitecourt-Edson (old name) in 1971.
4. Continued to campaign for a variety of different candidates in West Yellowhead and Innisfail.
5. Was Grande Cache coordinator for Noel Lapierre during the 1990’s during several of his campaigns and did a lot of organizing and door knocking.
6. Served as Noel’s speechwriter during a couple of campaigns.
7. Since moving to Edmonton, Robert has campaigned in a number of elections including the Provincial ones in 2004, 2008 and 2012 and the Federal ones in 2006, 2008, and 2012.
9. President of Edmonton-Leduc Federal Riding from 2007-2011.
10. 9. Treasurer of Edmonton-Rutherford Provincial Riding from 2007-to present.
10.Official Agent for Provincial Candidates in Edmonton-Rutherford in 2008 and 2012.
11.Wrote political articles and letters to Journal and also wrote articles on leadership candidates for Edmonton-Leduc newsletter.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Of all exercises walking is the best...
“If you seek creative ideas go walking.
Angels whisper to a man when he goes for
a walk.”
All truly great thoughts are
conceived while walking.
Walking gets the feet moving,
the blood moving,
the mind moving.
And movement is life.
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