My name is Rohinton Mistry and
I scribble for a living.
Writing was not something that I cultivated from childhood or
even from high school days as some people tend to
those who've become writers.
I always used to enjoy reading.
I've been a reader for as long as I can remember.
It never occurred to me that writing might be something that would interest me as well.
It was not till much later in life when I was in my thirties
and taking some courses at university, courses in English and philosophy that
this transformation came about and I
discovered this
interest and passion perhaps
during those English courses at university
which I was doing on a part-time basis in the evenings
because I was working full time, making my living
in something entirely different - banking.
I never wanted to be a banker.
It was the only job that I could find when I arrived in Toronto from India
and I had to take it.
That was a bit over 30 years ago.
There are studies and statistics that show that immigrants arriving today
are having a harder time finding work.
They still of course face the same question that we faced 40 years ago.
Do you have any Canadian experience?
which I think is the most unfunniest of jokes you ask a new arrival if they had
Canadian experience.
So there's that and also the statistics that show that even when immigrants
find jobs, they never
in their lifetime, catch up to the
earning potential of a
someone who is born and raised in Canada.
So it's a mixed picture.
I assume that I was given this honour because the work I have done
is appreciated by
this community, this society, this country.
It always gives me the opportunity
to address
the younger generation
and tell them what I think is important and what is not important.
Education is
in 2012 of course on the one hand is
necessary to find a job and all those mundane things and provide for one self and
one's dependents.
But education in 2012
is important for the same reason that it's been important for thousands of years.
It is what makes a thinking human being.
It is what creates
the good citizen.
Someone said.. I read somewhere that
people who are knowledgeable
have the answers.
People who are wise
have the questions.
So the best advice I can give is
"Don't stop questioning"
Don't stop questioning no matter
who it is that you are dealing with
from the highest to the lowest.
"Don't stop questioning"