Sara Devi wanted to be a pharmacist.
The 18-year-old bride from Fiji arrived in Canada in 1978 with a dream.
Destiny planned another role for her.
She becamethe first female driving instructor of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). And breached a male preserve in 1981.
She was 22.
She still enjoys that unique distinction and tough job: “I love to teach. For 42 years, I have been teaching the basics of safe driving to people of various nationalities and cultures through my AAMCO Driving School that I came to set up, as a female entrepreneur, along with partners. Providing safe and qualified drivers on the busy streets is a big service to the community.”
Her happiness quotient
“The beaming faces of the successful candidates, especially the newly-arrived immigrants and women, after clearing the tough test and getting the license. By giving wheels to their young dreams in a new nation.” Sara says poetically, adding, “Driving is a key skill in Canada. It gives you required mobility and saves time.”
Ups and downs in her profession
“Well, in a long career, you meet all types. Deal kindly with the elderly. Deal with the rude clients delicately. The language barrier needs to be overcome across the wide spectrum of clientele. You keep on evolving as a person.” Further, Sara states: “It is a daily lesson in humanity, endurance and patience. Fringe benefits include the rolling views of the changing seasons and healing power of nature during the in-car interactions. Make the nervous and senior citizens at ease during the road lessons.”
Talking of her registeredcharity organisation, Sara Devi shares: “We do charity through ICMH (International Chare Mission for Humanity). The aim is to provide our own ICMH, that is: I forindependence, C for confidence; M for moral support and H for hope for the deserving. Through its branch and our temple in Vrindavan in India, meals and allied support are given to the poor.”
Faith plays an important part in her own interesting journey as an empowered woman and a top professional. “God is my real strength.Human mind and thoughts are controlled by the positive and negative energies of the universe.The more positive message we send, we get back the same in abundance. When we communicate with the higher energies andinner self,we get answers to a lot of questions andright directions.The mind and thoughts receive both the negative and positive vibes. Having faith in ourselves and a strong belief system, we can conquer odds. Our MIND is a very powerful tool. We should always use it in the positive direction.”
What is her mantra to young women?
“Women are the most powerful individuals created by God.They bring another individual on this earth. We are what we feed our mind. Think positive and pass the positivity. Set goals, focus, develop time management skills, believe in yourself,live in the presentbecause wecan’t change the past.Remain motivated, energetic, happy, positive,humble, calm and enjoy the precious time on earth. Utilize your spare time doing good things and leave a legacy behind.”
To the immigrants?
“Work hard with sincerity and honesty. Strive for success. Never give up. You are a failure only, if you stop thinking of success. You are what you feed your mind. Life is a learning process. Acquire sets of skills in these crucial areas: Realestate. Mortgages. Taxation. All kinds of insurance. Investments. Accounting. Besides, do good deeds. Help people in need according to your capacity. Keep routine. Focus on small goals of the day.”
Sound lessons from a popular teacher who, on average, instructs around 700 students every year!
Sunil Sharma,PhD (English), is currently Toronto-based academic, critic, literary editor and author with 25 published books.