On December 12th, 2024 the SASI welcomed late Chandra Bodalia’s family to thank them for their priceless donation of 3 million+ photos of their father’s history and heritage collection. For the first time Vimal (son), Mona (daughter) and Anita (daughter-in-law) were able to fully view the photographs that had been stored in 400+ boxes in their garage for many years in Vancouver.
Joining SASI staff and guests was Kris Foulds, Archivist from The Reach Gallery Museum as part of the physical collection will be stored at The Reach Museum while work continues on the archiving of the photographs. Dr. Dhami from the SASI Community Advisory Committee joined the many guests and was pleased with the depth and breadth of Bodalia’s photographs. He was impressed with the work it will take to make the photos a part of the Provincial BC Archives and find a place on the South Asian Canadian Digital Archive. Dr. Lynn Kleinveldt of the UFV Information Studies Program joined the afternoon recognition as well as she has a vested interest in the archival training of UFV students in the program. Vice President of Community Engagement, Susan Made Kiss saw firsthand the effect of the donation on the work of SASI and the communities that are so beautifully recorded in this lifetime of undertaking by Chandra Bodalia from the 1980’s – 2017. SASI Student researchers (RA’s) joined in the recognition afternoon and spoke to the emotional journey the photos take them on with as they work to digitize and preserve the many photos that tell stories from decades that they can only imagine.
There were many soft and emotional moments for the family and for SASI staff who are trusted with Bodalia’s legacy. SASI presented a memento to Vimal and Mona in recognition of their father’s legacy of South Asian Canadian history and heritage. Vimal expressed his desire to return to SASI to assist in the preservation and recording of the photographs.
