A woman of quiet strength and unwavering faith, Mrs. Lakshmi Vankamamidi has lived a life
that speaks to the very soul of the immigrant experience — one shaped by sacrifice,
resilience, and a deep love for family and community.
Roots and Early Life
Mrs. Lakshmi was born in 1948 in Guntur, a small town in Andhra Pradesh, a state in India.
She grew up in a close-knit household with 4 brothers and 1 sister, where the values of hard
work, devotion, and hospitality were woven into everyday life. From a young age, Mrs.
Lakshmi showed warmth and a quiet determination — traits that would carry her through
every chapter of her remarkable journey. At a time when education for women from small
towns was rarely encouraged, Mrs. Lakshmi was fortunate that her parents supported her
choice to study Bachelor of Science.
Building a Life
In 1968, Mrs. Lakshmi married Dr. Venkatachalapathi (Ph.D. in Physics), and together they
built their life in Warangal, India. Soon they were blessed with a baby boy. While
motherhood brought immense joy to Mrs. Lakshmi, she felt the weight of societal
expectation to set aside her academic ambitions. However, Mrs. Lakshmi was a path
breaker. When her son was old enough to go to kindergarten, she went back to university to
pursue her Masters in Botany. Despite juggling the care of a young child, managing a
household, as well as care of her ailing in-laws, Mrs. Lakshmi stood second at her
university. She went on to complete her Ph.D., researching the Chemotaxonomy of
Papilionaceae. In an era when a woman doing Ph.D was met with derision; Mrs. Lakshmi let
her work speak for her. With support from her spouse, who stood beside her every step of
the way, Mrs Lakshmi joined as a lecturer of Botany at CKM College in Warangal, where she
dedicated her life to teaching and research.
Life’s Passion
Through her life, one thread that has remained constant for Mrs. Lakshmi is her love of
Carnatic music. She started learning Carnatic vocal at the tender age of 8, continuing until
she went to university. Through the demands of education, family, and life’s ups & downs,
Mrs. Lakshmi has persisted in feeding this passion. Now Seventy years later, she is still
learning and singing. She finds tremendous joying in sharing that love with her 2
grandchildren, who sing these ancient melodies with her.
A New Chapter in Canada
In 2022, Mrs. Lakshmi came to Canada with her husband, to live with her son, daughter-inlaw
and their 2 kids. The isolation of Covid had been hard, and she was glad to be reunited
with her loved ones. When she arrived in Surrey, her early days were not easy. She had left
behind a large group of friends back in India and settling down in a new country far away
from her siblings was hard. Yet, Mrs. Lakshmi never complained. She threw herself into
making Canda her new home.
Retirement: Full of Life and Purpose
Today, Mrs. Lakshmi spends her well-earned golden years surrounded by close family and
lots of friends. Her mornings often begin with yoga. She is an accomplished cook, always
looking for a new recipe to make for her family. She regularly attends the programs and
weekly gatherings of the Vedic Senior Parivar Centre at Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Surrey,
where she is a cherished and respected member of the community. She participates in
cultural events, bhajans, picnics, birthday celebrations and is always the first to extend a
helping hand to a fellow senior.
A Legacy of Grace
From India to the vibrant community of Surrey, BC, Lakshmi Vankamamidi’s story is a
testament to the quiet heroism of women — who held families together, sacrificed silently,
and built lives of beauty out of very little. She embodies the spirit of the Vedic Senior Parivar
community: one of gratitude, service, and joy in every season of life.
Her family says it best: “She is our family’s anchor, and she brings joy to everyone she
interacts with.”
