My working career in Winnipeg kicked off from the dizzying heights of scaffolding—balanced precariously between running the till at 7-Eleven, serving tables with an uneven grace, and hosting a community TV show that paid in applause (if I was lucky).
Eventually, I found my footing as editor of The New Nation, a Native and Metis publication in Winnipeg. The job came with a $500 monthly paycheck and the title of “editor,” which I wore like a badge of honor.
But my entrepreneurial spirit wasn’t content to sit still, so in 1973, I launched The Link newspaper in Winnipeg.
As the old Bollywood song goes, “Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana,”—life is indeed a beautiful journey. One fine day, I got a call from one of The Link’s most loyal subscribers in Vancouver, who had an intriguing idea. “Why not run the paper from the coast?” he asked, and with that, Rita and I boarded the westbound CN train. The year was 1978.
We arrived in Vancouver and were met with open arms and warm welcomes. We wasted no time setting up shop at Main and 6th Avenue, with our first Vancouver edition hitting the stands during the Diwali season. And that’s when the real adventure began!
Our daily life became a rollercoaster of press deadlines, and North Vancouver drives to pick up freshly printed papers. Then came the fun of loading them into our trusty but temperamental used car (which had a habit of stalling in the most inconvenient places, like in the middle of the 2nd Narrow Bridge) and delivering them across town—to Indo-Canadian shops, restaurants, temples, and Gurudwaras. My roles multiplied overnight: publisher, editor, writer, reporter, layout artist, ad salesman, and—perhaps the toughest job of all—collection agent. Rita handled the office and typed the news stories on a complex printing machine involving various chemicals.
Despite the juggling act, The Link became a respected voice in the community, known for its unbiased stories and credible journalism. But with growth came growing pains.
The ’80s arrived, and with them, the turbulence of the Khalistan movement. The attack on the Golden Temple, the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the frenzied killing of innocent Sikhs in Delhi created ripples that reached all the way to Vancouver. The once-united Indo-Canadian community started to fracture.
As the man running “the voice of the community,” I found myself on the front lines—often quite literally! The Link remained steadfastly neutral and fair, navigating through the stormy seas of those years with a steady hand while always keeping its journalistic integrity intact. We weathered the storms of the ’80s and soldiered on through the ’90s and beyond.
But after three decades of this exhilarating ride, it was time to retire—or so I thought. Instead, I sharpened my pen for a new chapter: writing full-time. I finally had the time to pursue my long-held dream of publishing a book on Hinduism. And in 2016, Hinduism Beyond Rituals, Customs, And Traditions hit the shelves.
Having lived in Vancouver for over 40 years, I’ve come to believe there’s something mystical in its serene air that fosters a unique spirit of humanism.
In this metaphysical ambiance, I launched two websites: promodpuri.com and progressivehindudialogue.com. They keep me busy reading, writing, and sharing thoughts on rationalism, humanism, and compassion with a liberal, secular, and progressive touch.
As I mark my 52nd year in Canada, I look back on a cascade of experiences and adventures—each one a brushstroke in the larger canvas of “the true North strong and free.” With gratitude and pride, I salute the Maple Leaf flag and the welcoming door that let me in.
– Promod Puri
Promod Puri.com 