By Adit Kumar
The Indo Canadian community suffered a great loss last month with the passing of well known educator, entrepreneur, and Justice of the Peace, Shruti Kant. Mr Kant departed peacefully at the Centenary Rouge Valley Hospital on March 6, 2009 with his family by his side. He was 77.
Shruti Kant went to Guyana in 1955 under the auspices of the Arya Samaj as a graduate of Gurukul Kangri, India. He soon established himself as an educator and became principal of the Guyana Oriental College (GOC) which he headed until 1979. Under his leadership, GOC became a household name throughout the country and was a much sought after co-educational institution that laid the foundation for many young students who later moved into different professions and careers.
Aside from his contribution in education, Shruti Kant was also an innovative entrepreneur. Recognizing the demand for chalk and crayon products in the Guyana school system, he established the South American Chalk and Crayon Company that supplied chalk and crayons to the local market as well as to the Caribbean. His entrepreneurial skills were recognized by the Guyana Manufacturing Association and he was elected to serve as a member of the board of that organization. He also served as the chairman of its Education, Training and Research Sub-Committees in 1976. In that capacity he spearheaded the manpower development initiative of the organization helping to develop front line managers in the manufacturing sector.
Shruti Kant migrated with his family to Canada in 1980 and settled in Stratford where he became proprietor/manager of the Empire Hotel in the Stratford theatre district. His passion as an educator saw him becoming a teacher of English to new German and Italian immigrants in Toronto under the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. He also served as supply teacher with the Perth, Kitchener-Waterloo and Etobicoke Boards of Education from 1982 to 1995.
A fellow teacher of his from North York, M Skovin, said that “Shruti was a wonderful and caring educator who was well loved by staff and students. He was a beacon of information which he generously shared with all of us.”
In 1995 Shruti Kant was appointed a Justice of the Peace (JP) and presided over the Traffic Court in Toronto. He served with distinction in that capacity until his retirement in 2005. Fellow Justices of the Peace, L Brown and R Lewin on learning of his death said, “We were saddened to learn of His Worship, Shruti Kant’s passing. We were honored to work with him for so many years. He was always so kind, so funny and so thoughtful, and a pleasure to work alongside. He will be missed very, very, much.”
The experience Shruti Kant garnered as a JP led him to establish his own paralegal company, Traffic Ticket Problems, an agency representing persons charged with traffic ticket violations. He ran the company until he fell ill around December 2008.
Mr and Mrs Dindayal, friends of the Shruti Kant family, in summing up his life said, “Shruti was an inspiration to all both young and old, his manner was one of courtesy and respect for all ages, and he gave love and helpful advice to everyone in his path to self realization.”
Shruti Kant is survived by his Guyana-born wife, Mithra, three daughters, Vandita, Sandhya and Supriya, sons, Sunil and Rajiv, sons-in-law Scott and Brett, grandchildren Jonathan, Maya, Avani and Veda and sisters Indu, Shobha and Guddie.
The family had requested donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Food Bank in lieu of flowers at his funeral.
Condolences may be sent to kantshruti@yahoo.ca

Students and volunteers of the Sunday School of the Vedic Cultural Centre, Markham performed a skit among other items to mark the 134th Anniversary of the Foundation of Arya Samaj on March 29, 2009.

The Mahatma Gandhi Organization will hold a Week-end Re-treat to Ottawa and Montreal on Saturday, May 16 to Monday May 18, 2009. Places to be visited include Parliament Hill, Rideau Hall, National Gallery of Canada and the Tulip Festival. Take a Boat Cruise down the famous Rideau Canal or Ottawa River (Optional). Try your luck at the slot machines in the popular Casino Lac-Leamy. Expereince the breathtaking view of the beautiful buildings in Montreal – Mt. Royal Park; St. Joseph Oratory; Basilica of Notre Dame; Botanical Gardens – just to name a few of the exciting places. For more information please call: 416-438-4962.

Six-year old David Abdool of Trinidad is critically ill with a hole in his heart and is in need of heart surgery. The Caribbean Children Foundation (TCCF), which has helped dozens of kids in the past years, has come to the David's aid. Teaming up with Island Mix, Durham Citizen and Callaloo Mas, TCCF will hold a fund raising event on Easter Sunday, April 12 from 11 am at Island Mix Restaurant and Lounge, 1050 Brock Rd in Pickering. Artistes include DJ Shiva, Dr Jay, Yatz, Richard Luces, Dick Lochan, Big Rich, Ground shakers Tassa Drummers, Muhtadi and the World Drummers and others. For info, contact Ray 416-412-2905, Ruskin 416-301-9154, Marlon 416-576-0694, Kevin 416-458-0448 or Shiva 416-939-7564.

Toronto Hindu Dharmic Sabha will hold a 4 Day Ramayan Yagna on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti from Thursday 9th, April to Sunday 12th, April 2009, at Shri Krishna Mandir, 130 Westmore Dr, #15 Rexdale. Hours of Service: Thursday-Saturday 7pm-9:30pm; Sunday 10am-1pm.
Officiating Priest: Pt.Mahindra Tiwari. For info contact: 416-674-0415.