Pragya Kalsi

After a courageous three week battle in hospital, Mrs. Pragya Wati Kalsi passed away on July 21, 2006 at 11:35pm in Mississauga, Ontario.

This is a very personal page for me as I and 7  other grandchildren were fortunate enough to have a “Bigmama” as she was known to her family.  Although she has departed from this world, she will always live within us forever.

Bigmama was born on January 31, 1932 to Sohanlal and Bhagwanti Devi in Ludhiana, Punjab.  She was lovingly known as “Cook” within the family.  Her siblings consisted of her older sister Kalash, and her younger brother Late Hari Mohan.

Pragya left India at the age of 18 to marry Amrik Singh Kalsi, eldest son of Dial Singh on March 10, 1950.  She began her married life in Uganda and gave birth to five children.  One of whom passed at birth.  Her children are Amarpal (Papi), Rawail (Shushi), Harminder (Tony), and Neena.  Pragya lived her 74 years in three phases. Her childhood was spent in India until the age of 18.  From 18 to 40, she lived in Mbale, Uganda where she began her family.  For the next 34 years, she resided in London, Ontario and raised her children as well as grandchildren.

Words cannot describe how this incredible lady has touched our lives and has left her imprint within our hearts.  Although far from a perfectionist, she was truly perfect.  She lived her life with dignity, honour, compassion, and love. She taught us how to live life with the principles and lessons that she had learned throughout her life.

She found joy throughout all aspects of life and even in situations that were devastating, she always found optimism and refused to give up hope.  She found solace in her crafts, spiritual books and songs and watching her grandchildren grow.  She loved to cook and try new things.  She was a self-taught woman who learned how to knit with twigs. She learned through watching and was never afraid to ask how to do something. One of her hobbies included making ceramic dolls and painting them.  Even in her final months, she enjoyed her walks and would push herself a little further each day. Even in her most sickly times, she would be well dressed and would continue to entertain people that came to visit.

You could never leave the Kalsi household without a cup of tea and something to eat. All her children can definitely account to walking past Bigmama and having a fruit, mainly bananas, being forced into their mouths.

She was always looking out for others. A glass of milk and tonic was manditory prior to leaving the house. No matter what time you would come to the house, she would insist on getting up to make something to eat.

Bigmama was a very classy lady. A foul word had never been uttered from her mouth and she encouraged everyone to speak with dignity and respect.

She gave whole-heartedly and never asked for anything in return. She loved unconditionally and never questioned anyones motives. She never spoke ill of anyone and never compromised her word or anyone’s confidence.

After coming to Canada she attended courses at Fanshawe College in London.