Council award
Recently, we spoke to Dr. Prasad about her life and work.
Q: You were born in Bihar in India. When did you
come to Canada?
A: My sister and I came to Canada in 1967 with our
dad. I was 13 and my sister was 12. My dad was a
professor and was offered a position at University of
Waterloo in the faculty of engineering. He wasn’t sure
how he’d like Canada because it was so close to the
North Pole, so he decided to try it for a year and just
brought two of us along with him. I’m in the middle of
nine children. My mom and everyone else came over bit
by bit. My oldest sister never came to Canada and has
remained in India.
Q: What was it like for you in those early years?
A: Initially, I didn’t really fit in. I wore traditional
Indian clothes – a salvaar kurta. But my classmates
embraced me. I was invited to every sleepover. I went
skating and skiing. I still have two friends from those
years. I was a very shy student but by ܘYH L