A Canadian Quilt - Stories of Immigrants is a heartfelt collection of 13 stories inspired by my time in Canada and the diverse individuals I met along the way. These are not just their stories, nor just mine-they are a reflection of every immigrant's journey through displacement, discovery, and determination.

While these narratives are rooted in real experiences, they blend fact and fiction, emotion and observation. Some characters may seem familiar-perhaps even too familiar-but that's the beauty of shared human experience. They are ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances, and in their struggles, I often found echoes of my own.

During my four years in Canada, I learned much-not only about its systems, people, and culture, but about myself. As I worked to build a new life, I met countless others doing the same. Their silent battles and quiet resilience helped me shape my path.

This book is not about triumph or tragedy; it's about transition. It's about what it means to belong, to search, to change. I have chosen only a few stories from my diary-ones that resonated most with the emotional and existential challenges of being an immigrant. I hope these stories touch your heart, just as they did mine.

Shrinivas Sawant