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CANADA’S BIGGEST PROMISE: ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
“After 50, I picked up a pencil and started drawing. I wanted to see where it could take me,” says Moushumi Chakrabarty.
By SHIPRA CHAUDHURY
Moushumi Chakrabarty, a thriving artist and author, summarizes her early years in Canada: “The Canadian dream is like a Tim Hortons order: no matter what you choose, you better brace for the cold.”
Chakrabarty, who arrived from Bahrain in 1999, quickly discovered that moving from desert heat to near-Arctic freeze was more than just a climate change – it was a life transformation. But as in any good story, the lady doesn’t give up when faced with adversity; she sketches her own path forward, even when the ink freezes. “Sure, it’s freezing outside, but at least my imagination keeps me warm,” she says with a grin.
Born with a reporter’s curiosity and a creative spark that refuses to dim, Chakrabarty started her career as a journalist in Bahrain. She reported for a daily newspaper and specialized in travel trade magazines, uncovering stories from around the world. However, when she chose to move to Canada for broader horizons and new opportunities, she hadn’t anticipated that her first great Canadian story would be her own struggle to adapt.
“Those early years were tough,” she recalls. “I didn’t like the intense cold. The snow was beautiful, but then it became a white wall separating me from my comfort zone.”
Like most immigrants, she faced the challenges of finding a job, building a community, and navigating a new system. Yet, through it all, she maintained a quiet optimism and an adventurous spirit.
Despite her struggles, Chakrabarty found herself captivated by Canada’s biggest promise: possibility.
“There’s a sense here that you can reinvent yourself,” she says.
And reinvent she did! Drawing upon her journalistic roots, she began writing again – this time focusing on Canadian feminists. Her first two books explored the lives and contributions of trailblazing women in Canada, but she didn’t stop there. As she looks forward to completing her third manuscript, she reflects on her creative journey with a sense of satisfaction. “Creativity needs to be nurtured. Whether it’s trying a new technique, picking up a new hobby, or writing about a new subject, you have to keep exploring.”
Somewhere along the way, Chakrabarty discovered that creativity has many forms, and she wasn’t about to limit herself to words alone. “After 50, I picked up a pencil and started drawing. I wanted to see where it could take me,” she shares with a twinkle in her eye. What began as a tentative exploration soon evolved into a full-fledged passion for art. Sketching turned into painting, and before long, Chakrabarty was experimenting with beading and jewellery-making.
“Friends encouraged me to sell my work, so I thought, why not?” she says. Today, she runs a small business combining her artistic endeavours, offering mini art prints, greeting cards, stationery, and handcrafted bead jewellery. It’s a creative outlet that not only brings her joy but also connects her with a vibrant community of fellow artists and admirers.
Of course, life isn’t all sunshine and sketches. “Adjusting to the Canadian winter took a while,” she admits with a chuckle. “It’s not just about the cold – it’s about dressing like you’re starring in a survival documentary every time you leave the house.” Yet, with time, she grew to appreciate the stark beauty of snow-covered landscapes and even began drawing inspiration from them.
When asked what she loves most about Canada, Chakrabarty’s answer is simple: Endless possibilities and its people. “I love that you can meet people from all over the world and hear their stories. Everyone has something unique to share. And the fact that you can re-train or start a completely new endeavour is liberating.”
For future newcomers to Canada, Chakrabarty offers this nugget of wisdom: “If you have a positive attitude, you can achieve a great deal. No country is perfect, and Canada has its problems, but it’s a place where you can grow if you’re open to change. Just don’t spend too much time reminiscing about the past – nostalgia can be misleading.”
And so, Chakrabarty continues to live life to the fullest, armed with a pen in one hand, a paintbrush in the other, and a beading needle tucked behind her ear. Because for her, life isn’t just about surviving the cold, it’s about thriving in it, one creative endeavour at a time. Her story is one of perseverance, reinvention, and, of course, humour. After all, who else could describe their move to Canada as trading sand dunes for snowbanks and still laugh about it?
• If you’d like to share the story of your arrival in Canada, please write to desinews@rogers.com or call 416-695-4357.