Before leaving India, we returned to
Reddipalem.
My parents embraced us warmly, holding Sunita
with tenderness, knowing she would grow up in Canada yet remain forever rooted
in two families. The extended family—my sister Mary and Marreddy, Lourdhu and
Jethrutha, nephew Showreddy and niece Shobha, Raja and Anthonamma, Bala my
niece and Joji Reddy, neighbours and relatives, —in fact the whole village—came
to offer their blessings. These gatherings were filled with both sweetness and
quiet sorrow, reminders of the bonds that distance cannot break.
2. Leaving Delhi: The Weight
of Goodbyes
October 1975 arrived with a mixture of
excitement and sorrow. After a rich posting in Delhi—one filled with family
visits, three small children, precious friendships, and the early stirrings of
what would later become our life mission—it was time to return to Canada.
Leaving that life was not easy.
But the promise of a new chapter awaited us.
Our home in Delhi had become a world of its
own: children playing, helpers moving in and out, André balancing diplomacy
with heart, and myself weaving Indian traditions into a Canadian diplomatic
life. Every wall held a memory.
3. Returning to Canada: A
New Beginning
 |
| 20, chemin des Érables, Gatineau |
After years of moving across continents, cultures, and callings, we arrived back in Canada with our three young children. The years in Vietnam and Delhi had shaped us profoundly, but now a new chapter opened—one marked not by diplomatic receptions or wartime risks, but by the quiet, steady work of building a home, a family, and a future.
Upon arrival to Montréal in October, we spent
two weeks in a hotel, still in the swirl of transition. Then, like a seed
finally finding its soil, we rooted ourselves at 20 Chemin des Érables in
Gatineau—a house that would carry our memories for decades.
4. Building a Family Life
The rhythms of family life settled around us
gently but firmly. With Éric at four and half, Sunita at three, and little Marc
at one, still in diapers and bottle, our days were full—full of noise,
happiness, tears, discoveries, and the small wonders that only parenthood can
teach.
For me, adjusting to Canadian life required
courage and resilience.
André was my constant companion through every adaptation. His quiet assurance held me steady, and as a couple we grew even stronger, united in the shared mission of raising our children with love, dignity, and values that bridged our Indian and Canadian worlds.
5. Friendships that
Became Family
Our neighbours, the Beauregard, the Germain and
the Brondex, became more than acquaintances—they became lifelong friends. Their
warmth, generosity, and steady presence enriched our daily lives. Our children
grew together, celebrated birthdays and holidays together, and formed bonds
that continue to this day. These friendships offered comfort, grounding, and
community in ways that eased my integration into Canadian society.
There were others too—friends made through
schools, churches, music classes, community gatherings, and André’s work.
Ottawa–Gatineau gradually transformed from a distant land to a second homeland.
6. Raising Three
Children Between Two Worlds
Our children grew with roots reaching in two
directions—toward India and toward Canada. We raised them with stories from
both continents, exposing them to the cultural richness of their heritage.
All three excelled in their studies. Éric,
Sunita and Marc all three did their primary in École Primaire Massé. Éric and
Marc did their secondary at the Collège St-Alexandre, and Sunita at the Collège
St-Joseph.
Conservatoire de Musique du Québec à Hull:
Besides their regular schooling, Éric learned Piano for 7 years at the
Conservatoire, Marc learned Violin for 7 years, and Sunita learned Violin for
10 years. They also learned other courses related to music.
 |
| Sunita, Marc and Angel with Mrs. Yaëla Hertz-Berkson, violon professor |
During all these years, André always was present and supported them. I gave more time with their music lessons, practices, concerts etc. I enjoyed doing this and we are happy they kept this interest for the rest of their lives, and they also initiated this desire in their children. Their music talents are giving us much pleasure with their performances during our family gatherings.
During their school and music years, André and
I stood beside our children giving support and encouragement. We are
proud of their accomplishments. I happily devoted most part of my life for them
during these years.
The years passed quickly—school days,
birthdays, celebrations, music lessons, little dramas and big achievements.
Each child grew in confidence and identity,
shaped by the values of humility, generosity, faith, and responsibility that
both held dear.
7. Discovering Identity
and Purpose in a New Land
As the children grew, I too grew into my
Canadian life. I learned the language, navigated the winters, understood the
systems of school, health, and community. I found my own voice again—no longer
as a young novice or a woman newly married abroad, but as a mother, a partner,
and gradually as someone preparing for a new mission.
8. André’s Career: Work
with Heart and Purpose
At CIDA, André flourished. His work was not
merely a job; it was a vocation—a continuation of his lifelong mission to
support the poorest and most vulnerable. His sincerity, deep sense of justice,
and passion for development earned him multiple promotions.
Yet he rarely spoke about his work at home. He
believed that the family deserved his full presence, not the exhaustion of
bureaucratic details. When he had to travel—to Africa, China, or elsewhere—for
one or two weeks at a time, he always minimized advance notice, wanting to
spare me anxiety. My heart would tighten every time he left, but I admired the
dedication with which he served.
9. Birth of our Joint
Mission
It was during this time that the seeds were
planted—quietly, almost invisibly—for what would soon become our life’s work:
SOPAR, Bala Vikasa, and the countless development initiatives that would touch
thousands of families across India.
These inspirations came from decades of lived
experience:
- from
my childhood in Reddipalem,
- from
André’s profound compassion for the poor,
- from
my father’s handwritten request for a water project,
- from
the dignity of villagers and women we met along the way,
- and
from our shared desire to give back.
The roots of our mission were planted in this
home, in this period of reflection, raising children, and rediscovering purpose
of serving the people with countless development initiatives.
10. SOPAR was
Registered
SOPAR is Registered. With the suggestion of
André, with the support of friends we have registered SOPAR as an NGO with an
objective of helping people in India.
- Generous donors came forward,
- Partner organizations in India were identified,
- Water and Education projects are initiated and continued.
During this time, our house became an office
for SOPAR. I took the lead. It was my passion, my mission. Compassion was my
driving force. Took pleasure in initiating, planning and organizing the small
projects. As time went by, the umber of projects increased, and so were their
reach.
11. André 2nd posting
in Delhi
In 1991, André is posted a 2nd time
at the Canadian High Commission in Delhi, as Consular
(Development) responsible to CIDA program in India, Nepal and Bhutan. It
is at that time Bala Vikasa took the birth.
During their holidays children came to visit us in Delhi. We went as whole family and visited Agra, Jaipur, Thailand, Nepal giving different experiences to them. André gave the best of himself to both the world and to us. We returned to Canada in 1995.
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