Narayan Tiwari, originally from India, arrived in Vancouver on September 5, 1965, to pursue his Ph.D. with just six dollars in his pocket and a heart full of dreams. Despite being married with two children, he made the difficult decision to leave his family behind temporarily, saving every rupee to invest in his education abroad.
He arrived in foggy Vancouver at night and went straight to the campus to sleep. In the morning, after breakfast, he headed out and was in awe. In his view was a rose garden, manicured lawns, greenery extending to the sea and the mountains — all under a bright blue sky. He thought, “If there were a heaven, it would be like this.”
That same day, as he wandered through the student common room, he heard a senior student singing softly:
“From Bonavista to Vancouver Island, this land is made for you and me.”
In that moment, his heart swelled with hope. Outside, nearly everyone he saw was white — a stark reminder of how far he was from home. Yet, he felt a sense of belonging beginning to take root.
As a graduate student with a family, Narayan was allotted a hut in the Acadia Campus — a cluster of modest structures once used to house Second World War soldiers. Though small and weathered, it provided shelter and a sense of community in those early, uncertain days.
Determined to become a university professor, he quickly realized that opportunities were limited back in India. After completing his Ph.D., he also struggled to find employment in Canada due to limited demand in his specialization and systemic discrimination against foreign professionals. With no DEI initiatives in place, jobs were often given to locals, leaving him few options.
He secured a postdoctoral position at the University of Nebraska, USA, and worked there from 1969 to 1972. Later, he was hired by the Government of Alberta as Supervisor of the Microbiology Section in 1972. He served for 22 years, eventually becoming Head of Laboratory in Calgary. Budget cuts and the early 1990s oil crisis forced him into early retirement in 1994.
Following retirement, Narayan moved back to British Columbia for its milder climate and now actively participates in the Senior Parivar Group of the Vedic Hindu Cultural Society. His life reflects resilience, sacrifice, and the enduring pursuit of knowledge. From humble beginnings and cultural challenges to becoming a respected scientific professional, Narayan Tiwari’s journey is a powerful reminder of the immigrant spirit and dedication to community.
In addition to his professional achievements, Narayan remains a passionate advocate for lifelong learning and cultural connection. He often shares his experiences with younger generations, inspiring them to value education, perseverance, and cultural identity in a diverse and evolving Canada.
