Affectionately known amongst family and friends as the “Power Couple” both Anu & Arun Srivastava have impacted many lives through their integrity, hard work and success.
A marriage made in heaven, landed them in Toronto in the late eighties with only two suitcases, having left behind a life of easy inheritance in India. Arun’s MBA and Anu’s university gold medal was not enough and their early years were tough as they went through the grilling Canadian hardships of new immigrants until Arun completed his professional accounting designation (CPA-CMA).
Arun known for his treasured traits of intergrity and trustworthiness, won the heart of the American ownership of the company he had progressively worked for twenty years, and eventually acquired that company over a decade ago. He is the CeO & President of Paystation Inc. the leading Canada wide Payment Technology company, established in 1955 with headquarters in Mississauga.
Anu initiated her professional finance career in the hospital sector but soon moved on to municipal finance. She made major strides as the financial controller on one hand and on the other hand successfully led the mega successful event of IIFA (International Indian Film Festival) when it came to Brampton and Toronto in 2011. Anu is also the founder of ARRA Arts; an organization committed to foster socio-economic development through arts, music and culture. She launched ARRA Arts with Shabana Azmi’s theatrical play Broken Images; expanded the company with health & wellness awareness initiative, Live Well Festival in September 2018 and will showcase the true love story of Guru Dutt & Geeta Dutt on stage “Gardish Mein Taare” at the Living Arts Centre in April 2019.
Arun and Anu have committed themselves to a wide variety of causes and relentlessly worked to support them. Arun has been the President of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (2016-2017). During his tenure several initiatives were launched to bridge Indo-Canada bilateral ties and he played a leadership role in organizing the Canada India Business Symposium, the largest business expo in Toronto which included a delegation of 138 companies from India. Arun has been awarded the Diversity enterprise Award, CIBC Midweek South Asian entrepreneur and many other community awards.
Anu is an exceptional community leader, humanitarian and activist. She is the Chair/ President of Panorama India and has played a leading role in the umbrella organization supported by the Consulate General of India, Toronto. In August 2018 Anu spearheaded the largest India Day Festival & Grand Parade in North America with 80,000+ people to showcase the cultural heritage and diversity of Indo Canadians. She is the recipient of Queen Diamond Jubilee, Leading Women Building Communities (by the Premier of Ontario) and many other awards. Anu has been part of the Trillium Health Partners Diwali Gala Fundraiser since 2004; has helped raise millions of dollars and was the Co-Chair for the Fundraiser in 2014. Anu & Arun are avid philanthropists and have not only contributed but also helped raise funds for various causes.
They have two children – Rahul, an engineer pursuing the Ivey MBA and Richa, a Medical Science graduate who with the blessings of their grand parents have imbibed the rich family ethics and values.
Arun & Anu have known Terry & Nimmi Papneja for a long time and have sponsored several AIM for Seva children for numerous years. The common bond to work selflessly for the upliftment of underprivileged children was amplified with the Kusumbhi Girls Hostel (for 40 girls) which is donated by their father Raj Kumar Nigam and further augmented to an increased capacity (for 100 girls). The Nigam & Srivastava families are truly privileged to be given this exclusive donation opportunity to forever change the lives of many and together contribute towards a unique family legacy.