Jigisa Mehta, was born in Porbandar, Gujarat the hometown of Mahatma Gandhi. She moved to the UK with her family at the age of three and was brought up in Harrow. She went on to study BA Business Honours at University of Westminster and a Masters in Management at Brunel University where she was awarded a First-Class Honours. Jigisa worked as a Business Development Manager for different recruitment agencies creating contracts within Healthcare both the public and private sector. Currently Jigisa manages a recruitment team within the NHS. Jigisa is also a Body Shop Consultant at Home and creates hampers for all occasions. You can follow her on her Instagram Jigisa Mehta or Facebook group called Beaute Boutique.
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in? (50 words response)
India is my favourite country and where I feel most at home. The culture, heritage, history, art, and beauty make the country so magnificent. Each city and state are unique and special in its own way. I am a practicing Hindu and love learning the philosophy and embarking on various pilgrimages.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
I don’t normally single out one area as my work varies in different projects I am involved with. In the NHS trust I work at, my team won an award for the best non-clinical team of the year last year. At Bhaktivedanta Manor, I partake in voluntary service in the Oxen farm, and it was an achievement to start the service myself and grow it successfully over the years. I am committed and dedicated to anything I put my mind to, I will endeavour to perform at my best ability and never give up.
3) What inspires you?
I thrive on selfless service and helping others. My role models are my parents, brothers and close friends, as they inspire me to become a better person and serve others better. They are all an instrumental part in my personal development.
4) What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
Starting a new job in the NHS just during the pandemic and being part of a team but not being able to physically meet anyone in the team to be trained for the role.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
It would have to be my parents as they brought my brothers and me to this country with nothing, they made sure we had a good education and everything we needed. They showered us with unconditional love and support and still do.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
Being part of the NHS and supporting the front-line workers and the country during this pandemic. It has been an incredibly tough year and every day is unpredictable and my team and I have worked relentlessly to provide staffing to the trust, and we have been very successful in doing our jobs.
7) And the worst?
Working within the NHS especially during this pandemic has meant overworking and not taking enough breaks or annual leave as this would cause a delay in our services. It has been stressful and exhausting.
8) What are your long term goals?
To always be happy; to do more selfless service for humanity; to continue to look after the animals at Bhaktivedanta Manor; to always look after my parents, family, and close friends and to grow my own side business called Beaute Boutique selling Body Shop items and hampers for all occasions.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would increase NHS, key worker salaries, and make sure they are paid for what they are worth.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was an Indian spiritual teacher and the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). I see Prabhupada as my teacher (Guru) so would like to be in his presence, take his blessings and see if he would like to share any messages to me directly. I read his books and follow his teachings and instructions as much as possible.
