NIROOPMABEN J. BHAKTA MEMORIAL FUND

PURPOSE

In honour of Niroopma J Bhakta ('Niru'), her family created this fund to celebrate and memorialise her principle goals in life. She passionately believed in the value of education, fairness and culture. Inspired by the teaching of Mahatma Gandhi, she adopted them for community work in India, Africa and England. She believed 'education was your passport to the world'.

Working with Plan International, the money donated here will be pledged to their educational project to support adolescent girls back into secondary education. https://plan-international.org/zimbabwe/empowering-girls-zimbabwes-largest-slum# Every £1 donated will be matched by £10 from DFID

£740 could pay for 10 out-of-school girls to join Accelerated Learning Programmes to help them back into formal education

£2000 could provide business skills for 871 girls

Year 1 of this fund (2017) awarded £600 to a 9 year old girl child whose winning essay encapsulated the value and importance of education. It was done to inspire a new generation in the Bhakta community. From 2018 onwards, the funds pledged will be donated to Plan Intl's project in Zimbabwe.

About Niroopma J Bhakta

Niru devoted a significant part of her life in service of the community, education, charity and her family. Born in 1937, she was educated in India emigrating after marriage to Zimbabwe. She was happily married for 55 years, and raised 3 sons and 1 daughter. She started teaching at the Gujarati School and joined various cultural and religious activities in the local Hindu Community. She spoke several languages, was passionate about the arts and cooking and ran her own children's clothing business in the 70s. She regularly contributed clothing and food to charities such as the (http://www.jairosjiriassoc.com/) and local impoverished communities.

In the early 80s, she commuted between England and Zimbabwe to lay the foundations for her children’s education in England. She was honoured by the Mayor of Coventry for her contribution to Hindu Society in Coventry. She devoted all her spare time to charitable work for elderly, children, educational advancement and for the well being of the community around her. She faced prejudice, racism, sexism and discrimination throughout her early life and adulthood but never let it deter her from her charitable goals and devotion to community service. This continued throughout the 90s and 00s until her untimely passing in 2016. Her reputation reached the far corners of the earth, from India, New Zealand, USA, UK, Africa.

Citations

Mr Gunvantbhai Shah, the President of the Hindu Society recalls that for a long time Niroopmaben was a prominent and influential figure in all the Hindu social and religious activities. She also initiated and played a leading role in starting The Navratri Garbar program in Harare. She held various positions in the Social Welfare and Bhajan committees of the Hindu Society. He further stated she was a very Good Samaritan and had an eye for people in need and was always willing to assist, show kindness and never seeking thanks. Former President of the Hindu Society Mr Manubhai Patel concurred with all the sentiments expressed by all and added that Niroopmaben was always forthcoming and happy to undertake any task given to her. She delivered her services with a pure heart, reliably and with a smile. The Hindu Society, in particular, considers her irreplaceable. “There are few people of Niroopmaben’s respectability and stature.” Niroopmaben generated immense strength amongst those less able to defend themselves, provided valued friendship, and will always be remembered as a caring teacher, successful business woman, Humanitarian here in Zimbabwe and England. She cared and loved for late husband. Most of all she was proud of her children and grandchildren’s academic and professional achievements.

Posthumously: many messages received by her family were from those whom she helped in times of adversity and occasions where she brought hope and joy. This inspired the fund.