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
