The story of Tarun Mishra is one that lingers in your mind long after you hear it. Anyone who follows him on social media has witnessed his quiet yet powerful acts of kindness—helping the poor, comforting those in distress, rescuing abandoned children and elderly parents, and caring for the sick who have nowhere else to go. It almost feels unbelievable that a man so often seen in a simple white shirt and jeans carries such immense compassion within him. You can’t help but wonder—where does he find the time, the strength, the resources? More importantly, where does such empathy come from?Tarun himself offers a grounded perspective: “No work has a 100% success rate. Even when we want to help people, some are unwilling to come with us to shelter homes. They have either grown used to that kind of life or have become skeptical. However, we try really hard.” Tarun’s life proves one does not need money to make an endeavor a success; all one needs is the right intent and determination. His Help Drive Foundation has helped thousands of people across Gujarat.
Today, he manages 22 shelter homes across Gujarat and has helped thousands rebuild their lives over the years. A lack of time or resources often hinders many people who feel deeply about helping others. Tarun’s story is a living example of how if all that matters in life is the right intent, then everything else might just follow!Originally from Bihar, Tarun moved to Delhi at the age of five with his family. He studied in municipal schools run by the Delhi government, while his father worked as a pharmacist. Life took a difficult turn when his father lost his job. Tarun, then just a sixth-grade student, stepped up to support his family. For a year, he sold religious books near a temple in Sarojini Nagar. When the small shop began to do well, his father took over, and Tarun returned to Bihar to continue his education at his maternal grandparents’ home. He excelled academically, completing his 10th and 12th with first division and even clearing an engineering entrance exam.However, the road ahead was not an easy one. The college he got into in Delhi was far away from where his family stayed. He had little money to take a rented room and he decided to stay in a shelter home. It was here that he came face-to-face with human suffering in its rawest form. Instead of turning away, he leaned in. He didn’t just offer ideas—he volunteered tirelessly, earning the respect of those around him.
Just as life seemed to be finding direction, tragedy struck again with the sudden passing of his father. As the eldest son, responsibility fell squarely on his shoulders. Tarun’s maternal uncle had a small business in Surat, and hence, he moved there to help him. “There is no substitute for hard work! Tarun worked really hard, riding his scooter across the outskirts of the city, taking orders from shopkeepers, and delivering goods himself. His hard work paid off; he built a successful business and fulfilled his father’s dream of owning a pharmacy.Life had finally become stable—and better. Any regular person at this point of life would now start focussing on his business and personal life. But Tarun began working with government-run shelter homes in Surat. His dedication and hands-on approach transformed these spaces, earning recognition and praise. Soon, other municipalities began reaching out for his expertise. What started as a small effort grew into a mission—today, he oversees 22 shelter homes and is expanding his work to cities like Mumbai.
Tarun is not just managing these shelter homes. He has a deep connection with the people who stay there. The children and the elderly rush to hug him when he comes to visit them. This kind of innocent love is rare and unconditional! His shelter homes are much more than roofs over heads. They provide dignity. So what does Tarun do? He reunites families, ensures medical care to those who need it, provides nutritious food, and most importantly, treats every individual with respect and humanity, the love that Tarun shows to these people is infectious! . For many, these shelter homes are not just places to stay—they are places where life begins again.
In a world where empathy and kindness seem to be forgotten words, Tarun Mishra reminds us what it truly means to be human. Tarun is not rich and influential, but Tarun has a will to help people. “My brother manages the business, and hence I am able to do this. My family does ask me sometimes to focus more on work, but I feel that our life is much better than what it used to be, so what more do you need in life? There is no end to desires.” He shows us that you don’t need extraordinary resources to make a difference, but all that is needed is just an extraordinary heart that is filled with kindness and empathy. And perhaps that is the most powerful lesson of all: even in the face of hardship, one person’s determination to care can light up countless lives.
