He left India in the early 70s looking for better opportunities. His father, Ram Saran Das, was a traditional textile merchant in Jaijon Doaba. It was once a thriving municipality with a renowned fabric industry. Many came from faraway places to purchase these fabrics. Unfortunately, the town fell on hard times after India got independence and merchants left for bigger towns.
Ravi was born in October 1948, almost a year after independence when India was undergoing a transition. Seeing the circumstances, his parents shifted to New Delhi in 1952 with their 11 children. With his pragmatic approach, Ram Saran Das bought a fabric shop there. His mother, Kaushalya Devi, was rather a painstaking homemaker, taking care of the family and household all on her own.
An average student, he stayed busy with gilli danda and cricket during school. For his graduation, he joined Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi. “I was absolutely delighted. After all, this was the same college that the Indian superstar Amitabh Bachchan had attended,” he chuckles. He completed his master’s in economics from one of the most prestigious colleges, the Delhi School of Economics.
Well-qualified, Ray was eager to join his elder brothers in England. Krishan, one of his elder brothers, however, returned to establish a business. Inspired by his brothers, Ray wanted to earn a name for himself. Krishan decided to relocate again, this time to England. Ray knew this was his opportunity and joined him. It was a long and tiring journey – 15 days on land from Delhi through Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Austria to Germany. Krishan went to England, while Ray stayed in Germany – a two-year long stopover to see where it would take him in his quest for a solid entrepreneurship.
Ray was eager to succeed and tried his hands at many odd jobs, without earning much. By 1970, Krishan and his family decided to venture across the Atlantic and a year later, Ray too decided to cross the big pond. Canada provided many opportunities for immigrants and had come to be known as ‘strong and free’. In December 1972, he landed in Mississauga and started working at a boutique shop. Once he acquired a good understanding of the country, culture and people, he decided to move to the insurance industry and started as an agent with Equitable Life of Canada, Hamilton, in January 1974. Dreams of a better future were ingrained in him; he worked almost 24/7.
Well-settled, it was now his time to enter the next phase of life. Ray returned to India in 1977 and got married to Renu – a well-educated lady with a master’s degree in political science from the University of Delhi. “She brought me luck and has stood by me through all the good and bad life sent our way.”
In 1978, they were blessed with a daughter, Rachel, and in 1983, they welcomed Robbie, their son. The two ensured that they would raise their children with a mix of Indian and Canadian cultures and traditions. “Jaisa des waisa bhes (Hindi for when in Rome, do as the Romans do),” says Renu. In 1990, they built their first home on Lake Ontario in Burlington – their dream home.
Ray was determined to go further and by the end of 1990 took on the role of mortgage broker and established Kingsway Investments Ltd. To take it to success, both Renu and Ray worked together – seven days a week. Ray started investing in land, developing properties and also worked in the residential and commercial market securing mortgages for many. It was a roller coaster for the family but through their hard work, they did succeed. “In 1990, I could finally build a home in Burlington which is my dream nest till now. But I’d often wonder if it was all that I looked for. My zeal to have more grew. And so I started exploring new shores.”
Throughout this time, Ray found a way to mentor many young people. He has groomed several youngsters to believe in the ethics of hard work and smart work to achieve their dreams.
The Khannas are involved in many charitable causes: temples, gurudwaras, and several not-for-profit organisations.
Remembering the roots
Ray often dreamed of Jaijon Doaba and finally visited there almost 30 years later. This time, with Renu. They were saddened to see the town suffering economic turbulence and also lacking in health and education.
He arranged a meeting with the secretary of a local charity, Ashwani Khanna, and offered financial assistance where needed the most. He was told that they were unable to build a women’s college due to the lack of funds. In his efforts to give the children a place to learn and grow, Ray was determined to see the college built. With the help of some of his friends and AIM for SEVA, the necessary arrangements were made so that the charitable funds were sent for the construction of Doaba Girl’s College. It facilitates aesthetician, seamstress and other courses and houses around 90 girls. It not only covers the needs of its village location but also the neighbouring villages. “We find much joy in knowing that these young girls will have access to a good education.”Almost ready to be inaugurated, it will be open for higher studies and accommodate 300 girls. The college covers the needs of all neighbouring villages. It will be known as the Doaba Girl’s College, operated by Shri Baba Aaugharn Shri Fateh Nath Ji Charitable Trust.
Ray supports a blind school in Jaijon Doaba, which houses 25 children. He was instrumental in the installation of a tubewell for the school. He founded the Maharaja Charity Golf Classic – Golf to Educate in 2009 and currently co-chairs it. This event, held annually at the prestigious Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville with support from AIM for SEVA, garners the maximum number of golfers for a day of good sport, good food and great prizes.
Renu and Ray are very proud of their children’s successes. Rachel, married to Arun Lal, a marketing executive at a software company, is an accomplished marketing manager. They reside in California with their son, Shivam.
Robbie, married to Twinkle, a registered nurse, is a successful mortgage agent. They and their children, Ryan and Rebecca, live along with Renu and Ray.
The younger Khannas have been brought up to stay connected to their Indian roots. They enjoy Indian food and music and go to the temple regularly to seek the blessings of God. The elder Khannas take joy in seeing the world through the eyes and hearts of their three grandchildren.
“I have always believed in ‘If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody’,” says Khanna.