Les Kumar-Misir

[anil]

Les Kumar-Misir, son of Kenneth and Stella Kumar of McDonnell Street, Curepe, Trinidad, West Indies, came to Canada on September 11, 1961, from the former British colony of Trinidad, West Indies. Les landed in Halifax to begin an undergraduate program of study at St. Mary's University leading to the degree of Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) in 1964. He subsequently undertook a graduate program of study at the University of Ottawa leading to the degree of Master of Arts (Economics) in 1974.

Les completed a full, professional career as an economist specializing in economic growth, economic development and economic progress with the Public Service of Canada, most recently with Industry Canada. He retired from Industry Canada in 2007 to establish a consulting services business in socio-economic Research and Analysis, Project Management, Database Management, Professional Reports, etc. Currently, Les is Executive Director of the Indian Diaspora North America (www.indiandiasporacda.com), a non-profit organization incorporated in 2009 to commemorate and celebrate the arrival of South Asians (formerly Indians) to the Americas, showcase this community’s arrival, transition and integration into the wider society and provide a self-study model for newcomers and Canadian youth to embrace Canadian values, the national culture and the Canadian way of life on the one hand, and champion the strengthening of a multi-ethnic and strong, free and united Canada on the other.

Les enjoys a variety of healthy activities including collecting classical audio/video material and books, cooking, reading, writing, lecturing, “Hold the Pose” photography, etc. and is proud to continue to give back to Canada. Les is privileged to have an extensive community service record, viz., founder of the Convent Glen Residents’ Association in Orleans in 1975, past-President of the Trinidad & Tobago Association of Ottawa, the founder of the Emerald Woods Residents’ Association in Ottawa South in 1986, a Community Champion with the Ottawa Police Services, a Passages to Canada speaker and chair of numerous not-for-profit organizations.

Les is married and has four children, three daughters, and one son. According to Les, ‘‘As I continue my journey through this life, in the face of rapid changes and ever guided by the principle of ‘Happy Wife. Happy Life’, I am privileged and honored to have the love and support of a great and wonderful woman, Mary Evelyn Wilkins (Mrs. Leslie Kumar-Misir), and, with her beside me, I look forward to my unfolding Canadian journey of adventure, discovery and ‘giving back to my wonderful family, my true friends and our great Canadian society’’’.

[skk]

Les, we as individuals, and our immediate family, are always at the centre of our universe. If there is stability, love and compassion at the core then it reflects well in everything that we do in the world.
“Happy Wife, Happy Life” ( harmony at home ) is a great motto to live by for a successful journey in life. May you always have the love and support of each other.
God Bless you