RAJ DHRUVARAJAN (P.S.)

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RAJ DHRUVARAJAN
June 18, 1932 - November 1, 2022

In the early morning hours of November 1, 2022, P.S. (Raj) Dhruvarajan passed peacefully at home with family. Until his last days, he lived independently with his mind sharp, displaying an incredible resilience to be admired.
Raj was born in a village in southern India in June 1932, the second of ten children, to P.T. Srinivasiah and B.S. Kamalamma. He demonstrated a remarkable intellect as a young boy and left home as a teenager to pursue higher education. As the eldest son, he felt very responsible for providing for his family's well-being. This ultimately led to post-graduate studies in New Delhi and then being granted a Fulbright Scholarship in 1959, resulting in a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Chicago.
His wife Vanaja joined him in 1960 and Raghu was born a year later. After teaching for a few years in the U.S., he moved to Winnipeg in 1967. Prabhu was born shortly thereafter. Raj was a devoted father and grandfather whose primary goal in life was for his family to be happy and successful. He instilled in them values of equity, altruism, hard work, and kindness, which he emphasized were as important as professional accomplishment. His unbridled zest for life and youthfulness served as an inspiration for his children, grandchildren, and all who came in contact with him.
Even though he lived in Canada for most of his life, he also remained committed to his family in India. In addition to providing monetary support, he sponsored family to Canada, and had a genuine, loving, and sustained interest in their lives and well-being. His ever-growing extended family now successfully residing in North America is a testament to his dedication and generosity.
During his time in Winnipeg, he experienced many professional and personal achievements. He had a long and successful academic career as a professor of Economics at the University of Manitoba where he taught for over 40 years. His work with the Manitoba government was instrumental in leading to an increase in the minimum wage in the early 1970s. He was frequently recognized for his teaching excellence, in particular receiving a prestigious University of Manitoba teaching award near the end of his career, with one of the nominating students stating that he "instilled a desire to learn more".
As an early and well-respected member of Winnipeg's vibrant Indian community, he often took a leadership role, including being appointed as the President of the Hindu Society, India Association, and National Association of Canadians of Origins in India, as well as a Trustee of the Winnipeg Sai Centre.
Raj lived a life of personal philanthropy, an essential element of his character. In his retirement, he remained active and engaged in helping those less fortunate. He contributed time, energy, expertise, and financial support to charities for those in need, including the elderly and children experiencing homelessness or disability.
In his final days, he committed to recounting his life story by putting pen to paper. In his words: "From running barefoot in a humble village in India in the 1930s, to the hardships of immigrating to the western world, to teaching university students in the cold of Winnipeg, Canada, to finally sitting here now and reflecting on how all of this has led to two children, four grandchildren and a huge extended family, it was all worth it."
We wish to express our deep gratitude for the excellent and compassionate care provided by the nurses, physicians, and other professionals at the Princess Margaret Hospital and Markham's palliative home care support.
A private family service has been held. Those who wish to make a memorial donation are asked to consider any cause supporting people experiencing disability or homelessness.
With love from his sons, Raghu and Prabhu; grandchildren, Mika, Maya, Akash, and Naveen; daughter-in-law Arpita; his brother Venkatesha (wife Patrice); and sisters, Lalitha, Shantha, Amba, Sarasu, Paddu, Papu, and Bhagyu, and extended family all over the world.

He will be missed.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 12, 2022