Montreal born, Toronto raised.
Growing up as the child of Ugandan-Indian hashtagrefugees often made me feel like I was on the margins, especially in Montreal, where I always felt like an “other.” Moving to Toronto helped, but it didn’t erase that feeling. For a long time, I was embarrassed by my Indian heritage, uncertain of how it fit into the Canadian hashtagidentity I was trying to build for myself.
Over the years, I’ve grown more comfortable in my skin, learning to embrace my roots. And seeing my friend Rahul Bhogal‘s recent work for Canada Post / Postes Canada, created with the talented illustration duo Humble Raja, was an interesting moment. Their work is not just beautiful—it’s bold and layered with meaning. It celebrates the strength and elegance of Indian heritage within a Canadian context, a combination that’s not only unique but something to be deeply proud of.
At hashtagrgddt DesignThinkers this year, Rahul gave me a package of the work. I have it now framed in my home office, this work is more than just design—it’s a reminder of the richness in being both hashtagCanadian and hashtagIndian, and how these identities coexist and shine together.
Thank you, Nothing Design Studio and Humble Raja, for helping me see that.
