Diptiben Bharat Mistry was born in Surat, India and came to the UK in 1989.
Diptiben has over 25 years of experience in working for the community. She has held several keys positions in the ‘Not for Profit Organisations’ like VISTA Society for the Blind, SEWA Education aid project, Leicester Hindu Festival Council, Gujarat Hindu Association and Shree Sanatan Mandir.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and Graduation in Library and Information Science and is also a qualified Guide Communicator (specialised qualification to work with deaf and blind people in the UK). At Bhaarat Welfare Trust, Diptiben oversee the entire executive functions such as strategy resource mobilization, communication and fundraising event management.
Diptiben brings enormous experience and expertise to Bhaarat Welfare Trust. She is relentlessly driven to alleviating poverty through BWT’s projects on Zero Hunger, Education Aid, Homeless and Helpless in India.
Passionate about making the significant difference to social issues like poverty, animal welfare, women empowerment, medical aid for disadvantaged, support for disabled & frail and Education for children. Asking the public for their support via promoting the charity and its goal. Her efforts helped thousands in the UK and abroad. She is kind, caring, hardworking person who has dedicated her life to serve the community without any expectation including financial.
She believes in MAKING ONE PERSON SMILE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD, MAY BE NOT THE WHOLE WORLD but THEIR WORLD.
With the blessings from the wide community she continues her journey to HELP the HELPLESS.
1) Which place or city or country do you most feel at home in?
I feel most at home in India; it's not only my birth country, but it's the place my heart connects to. India is also the place I visit when I have a chance to get away for a holiday.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
My proudest achievement up to date most definitely has to be winning an award for the Community Services in March 2017 by the ABPL group. This award was given to me by Eleanor Laing- a deputy speaker of the House of Commons, and the Ceremony consisted of many familiar and popular faces including Baroness Brady, Claudio Ranieri and Dev Patel (Hosted by the Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar). My family and my colleagues were extremely proud of me obtaining this award, and it's a ceremony that will always be a vital memory in my life.
3) What inspires you?
During my career, I have worked with people who are visually and hearing impaired, and people who manage their daily life and tasks with multiple disabilities. I have realised that dual sensory loss makes ones' life very difficult, and I look up to these individuals and find them to be very inspiring to me as they continue to live independently within the community.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
I am an optimistic and conscientious individual, and fortunately enough; I believe that there is no obstacle in my life. It is all in the mind, and I constantly consider that if you wish to achieve something, and you are willing to work hard for that particular thing; then nothing can stop you to reach your goal; no matter how difficult it is.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
There are several people, who have influenced my career, but my biggest influences have to be my mother- father, son Dhanesh and Late husband Bharat; without their continuous support and encouragement, I would have never been able to pursue my career goals. My friend, colleague, philosopher and guru- Mr Kantilal P Unnadkat has also been a essential influence to my career. He introduced me to the charitable side of work in 1994- and with his guidance and support; I have taken up a full time career in order to help the helpless. His dedication towards his work and his caring personality has a lot of influence in my life, and I know that I have acquired knowledge and management skills while working with him.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
At present, I am a trustee of Bhaarat Welfare Trust (BWT) -which is a charity registered in the UK. My role is to look after the trust's aims and objectives and to support any queries within the charity. BWT works with many charities in India; they help the underprivileged, support widows, enhance education, aid with natural disasters and support animal welfare. BWT also aims to promote Hindu religion and culture with many organisations across the United Kingdom. I have been working with varied charities in the UK since 1990; gaining fundraising experience. I think I would have to say the best aspect about my current role would be organising fundraising and religious events, and meeting the donors. This allows me to communicate with people of different casts and ages, and allows me to engage with the community.
7) What are your long term goals?
India is a big country with a huge population and due to this we are constantly working to help as many as we can, but it can never be enough. We do our duty, and try to aid every part which is in need, unfortunately; this does not help every helpless person. I would believe that is the worst part of my role and I pray to the Almighty God to give me strength to work as hard as possible to meet the demand and to help the poor.
8) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
If I was Prime Minister, I would want to improve the facilities for the elderly. Although the United Kingdom has the best care facilities, due to challenging times ahead; it needs improvement in the care for mainly disabled people and the elderly; as these are the most vulnerable.
9) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
If I was marooned on a desert island, I would love to spend my time with Gita Manishi Mahamandaleshwar PP Shree Gyananandji Maharaj. This is because I would get the absolutely amazing experience of learning the philosophy of life through his GITAJI teachings. This would not only be beneficial to myself, but I could share these teachings with my loved ones.
