By Siva Sivapragasam
Mr.Srikrishnan,one of the visionaries of the Canadian Tamil Business community who realized the importance of a Business Chamber for the immigrant Tamil community, and a founder member of the Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce (CTCC) passed away peacefully and gracefully recently after a period of illness.
Mr.Srikrishnan’stireless efforts and motivation for a Business Chamber for the Tamil business communitywas a dream he cherishedand became a reality when the CTCC was formed in 1991.Over the years, the CTCC has become a vibrant body representing the Tamil Business community and helped in showcasing the entrepreneurship talents of the Canadian Tamils.
Thanks to the efforts of Mr.Srikrishnan,and other visionaries of the Tamilcommunity, CTCC is today recognized with repute.Mr.Srikrishnan,as a founder member of the Chamber henurtured, and nourished the Chamber through his efforts and participation in Chamber activities. He was one of those who always advocated the hiring of a full-time Manager for the Chamber and the purchase of an office building for the Chamber.
In his personal capacity Mr.Srikrishnanwas a successful businessman with a Midas touch in his business pursuits and community service.In his professional capacity, Mr.Srikrishnan qualified as anElectrical Engineer in UK and worked for Singapore Telecombefore he arrived in Canada to establish SelvasegaraJewellers,a well-known Jewellery store among the community. Mr.Srikrishnan always remained a fervent supporter of thebusiness activities of the Tamil community.I realized this in my dealings with him for the continued support he gave every year for the Tamil Business & Information Directory titled “Thamilar Mathiyil”.
CTCC Committee in early years, 1996/97; Mr.Srikrishnan, Standing 4th L to R.
Mr.Srikrishnanwas an outspoken personality who never minced his thoughts or words when he speaks.A charming conversationalist at gatherings who kept guests smiling with his wit and humour. He was a friend of all and an enemy to none. His maturity and experience were displayed and demonstrated many a time during activities of the Chamber. No doubt the Chamber will feel the void created by his absence in the future and more so the Canadian Tamil Business community.
In accordance with his wishes,his body was donated to the Medical Faculty of the University of Toronto.His wifeYogaranipre-deceased him, and he leaves behind two sonsSanjeevan and Sathian;daughters-in lawRoveenaand Raju;grandchildren Isa and Sia;his brothers Balakrishnan, Anandakrishnan&Vickneswaran; his sisters Maheswary, Saraswathy&Rukmani and brother-in law T. Sivayogapathy.
An epitaph for Late Srikrishnan would be in the words of the poet – “His life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world- This was a man”
