Shri Rambhai Dahyabhai Mistry
09.09.1927 - 16.06.2017
Leicester (Narod Bigri, India)
“He was a lifelong volunteer at Shree Prajapati Samaj
Leicester...”
A Brief Life Story
Documented by Hasmukh Mistry (son) with help from Shri Rambhai’s Family.
• Married to Shrimati Bhaniben in 1942,
father of 5 sons and 1 daughter.
• Shri Rambhai was born on the 9th
September 1927 in Narod Bigri.
He was a premature baby weighing
just 3 pounds! He was the eldest in
the family, with 3 younger brothers
and 3 sisters.
• Shri Rambhai lived in a village named
Desra in Kumbharpharya, which was
1 mile from Billimora. He lived in a
brick house with land where mango
• In 1960, his wife Bhaniben arrived
many years, on the New Year’s
and Govind, and daughter Ramila. Day he was often given the duty of
In England he had two more sons, opening the Mandir at 5am, so the
Suresh and Pravin. He then moved to building was open and ready for first
Doncaster Road. aarti at 6am.
• He worked in an engineering factory.
Shree Prajapati Samaj, Leicester and
add to his carpentry skills. He cycled took part in raising money for the
everywhere carrying his carpentry new building. He sat in the religious
and plumbing tools on his bike. He havan (katha) after the Leicester
retired at the age of 58. Samaj building was purchased,
• In 1984, he arranged for his 80 year
and vegetables grown. He went to a old father in India to visit UK for the
school in Billimora. very first time. He looked after his
worked at Darbhangha mill (cloth
and furniture makers) in Navsari, so
father who passed away two years
• In 1994, at the age of 65, he lost his
wife Bhaniben of 50 years whom he
mill, and also worked at the clothing had cared for in her final years of
shop his father had bought in Navsari her illness.
• He obtained a permit to go to
Kampala, Africa. Sadly just before he
regularly attended samaj Bhajans
and the annual mahila events.
For Navratri, he was a dedicated
volunteer for all 9 days.
• Shri Rambhai was a popular and
later in UK.
they moved there. He worked at the
called “The Ready-made store”.
• He was a lifelong volunteer at
He also self-taught plumbing skills to trees grew, rice was farmed in fields
• His father Shri Dahyabhai Vishram
the Sanatan Mandir building. For
from India with two sons Jayantilal
well-loved figure in the Leicester
community. He was an original
resident of the famous Belgrave Road
Golden Mile shopping area. He lived
all his life in the heart of this Asian
• He did a lot of voluntary work for
community, was immensely proud
Sanatan Mandir in Leicester where he of it and embraced the local life with
used his carpentry skills to improve pride and passion.
left, he lost his mother. In Kampala,
he trained as a carpenter with a
building company.
• In 1955, he came to Leicester, UK
from Kampala for a short time.
• He went back to India in 1956 by
P&O ferry, through the Suez Canal.
He took his bicycle from UK to India
which he used for travelling around
in India.
• He came to Leicester in 1957 with
eldest son Hasmukh. He worked and
bought his first house within 1 year in
Brandon Street, a 3-bedroom terrace
for £500!
78
vol. 42 | Prajapati Sandesh 2017
Shri Rambhai and eldest son Hasmukh leaving India.
A sad moment leaving behind his wife, two sons and father.