Tara Naik (1930-2023). Taramati Paragji Naik née Mehta, was born on August 3, 1930 in Vapi, India. She died in Calgary, Canada, at the age of 92. She is survived by her two children Rajiv Naik and Chinu Patel, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
At the age of 18 years old, she married Paragji Naik, and relocated to Uganda in 1950 to forge a new life for their budding family. She raised three strong children while simultaneously fulfilling the role of Deputy Headmistress at the local elementary school. To say that she was respected in the community is hardly an exaggeration! Throughout her golden years, students would reach out periodically to pay their respects after decades of no contact. In 1972, with the threat of war skirting at her heels, she fled from Uganda with her husband to England where they sought refugee status. She did all in her power to contribute to the success of the family by working at a clothing factory nearby the refugee camp. In 1974, they relocated to Winnipeg. With her experience at the clothing company abroad, she was easily able to secure work at a sewing company. In the evenings, she attended secretarial college. Once completed, she began working for the provincial government as a procurement officer. Everything she did was for the stability and success of her family. She was an inspiration to everyone and will be sorely missed.