Today we’d like to introduce you to Jyoti Singh.
Jyoti, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a child, I always wanted to act and help peopleMake a difference in this world. In early 2000 my sister and I decided to register a non-profit, RVP charitable Organization. After doing that, we only took projects that we had to visit, so we could tell people where the funding is going. Early on, I visited India and spent time in widow center; then we provided them food quarterly for years to come. I visited certain schools that taught kids human rights. I also went to Haiti and Met Dr. Coffee, who was taking care of TB patients; I spent few days there, giving medication to clients in limited recourses. These patients we in grounds of hospital in tents and to drink medicines they had to use one straw for 3 patients.
Gauri and I travelled to Tamil Nadu and visited several abuse shelters and supported them for a while. Later our project was supporting families of “Farmer’s suicide” victims; we paid for kids’ education with no fathers. We supported 4 kids.
Later, I went to kerela, after Tsunami, and volunteered in hospital. My spiritual journey started from MataAmritanadmayi, hugging saint. Today she is my Guru & I have learned kindness and Comoassion through her today. Taking care of Tsunami victims who lost their families.
Besides acting, as I moved to NYC, I did “blanket drive,” and raised funds, and gave blankets to Homeless in Manhattan, NYC. As I continued my journey, in current years, I ended up visiting Mumbai, India often, so I started teaching Slum kids on footpaths via an organization. I also did “raincoat” drive for these kids, since 2018 till 2022, as they live in tents, and one of the kids told me how they get wet in rains and feel cold while sleeping. I did this started 2018 till 2022. in my trips and then being in India post covid. During Covid, as I use to walk my dogs, I started feeding stray cats, as no one was on roads, and along with that slowly dogs. Today I feed about 60 stray dogs at least once a day; some get fed twice, and about 35 cats twice a day and 30 once a day, so total about 60 cats. Also their medical expenses, burial, neutering and so far has been on my own expense. This I do currently every day. I feel like I have become activist as I am constantly fighting with people to feed and let feed. Also to be compassionate to give water.
Spiritually, I believe god is one but had beautiful experience with Mata Amritanandmayi Mayi, living saint, hugging saint, she has been my guru, and teacher. Teaching me Patience, how to stay positive during most difficult times, learning grace.
I started acting in 2009. Played lead roles in. Three full features, in Independent films.
“9 Eleven”, “on golden years” & my own film, “Yadvi-The dignified Princess.”
I have acted in nany short films. Few made under my production company. (RVP Productions)
“He Too “, Samosa, “Sarees Across America” & many more..,
I felt one film to empower women than why not second film to empower-men. “He Too”
After all the goal in life is to have equality for all. No discrimination between, race, gender, and sex.
My upcoming song focuses on my life today and where it is at, called, “Zindagi Hai.” Releasing soon.
So, life has always been about giving back to the world as much as I can and until I can. On the side I spend time Acting and working in my craft.
There were 2 things I wanted to do as Child and I have done my best to accomplish them.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Everything in life you have to accomplish brings challenges.
As an actor, initially being in NYC, they hardly had any role for ethnically ambiguous person. Today, so many have a chance. That time I got one audition, if lucky maybe two, this was 2009. Now things have changed.
In 2014, I made a “full-feature” “Yadvi-The Dignified Princess.” To release by itself was a challenge, beautiful period film, but getting platforms to release it was itself a challenge.
. As a women to shoot a film in India was a challenge, where most men would not listen. I remember those sleepless nights, doing all the work and directing & acting.
Pre-Covid I had come to India, and got stuck here due to covid. I started feeding stray cats, and later stray dogs. That itself was a challenge too. It is everyday fight. People hold feeders responsible for dirt, yet we neuter, we take them for doctors’ visit. Most don’t even want to give water to animals. Buildings and us are in constant war. Being raised in NC and then moving to other end of the world has been a challenge also.
Whatever I have done so far in life was a challenge. But I believe you have to take everything as stride and it will be okay. And it has been.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an Actor. I always wanted to accomplish two things in life. Be an actress and help the world. Make a difference. I believe I did accomplish most of that. I am proud of a film I made “Yadvi-The dignified Princess” it was written by my sister, Gauri Singh. My grandmother’s story. I believe it is a beautiful film. Later on I wrote a short film, named “He Too.” I have worked on several films as Lead, many short films, commercials, music video is coming soon, “Zindagi hai.” Most of my films have won, awards, many accolades in film festivals.
I have been able to be creative and to help out the world. On my free time, I like to sing, and have hosted many open mic. .
I have been lucky and blessed to be able to do work to make difference and yet, be able to act and continue to enhance my craft. Even though nowadays as I help out with stray kids, my babies, it takes too much time. So, working on managing times so far…:)
I have won Best Actress award, and that was an achievement, and have won many accolades after that. So just happy I accomplished my goals.
Also recently won “Mother teresa Award.” Which was given to me by random person who saw me feed stray dogs and cats and invited me to event and gave me this award. Which was highest honor for me by “Ray of Hope.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Any role have luck. I was lucky to be able to accomplish two of my major goals in life. First, carrying on my work to give back to society.
By teaching slum kids in India.
Feeding stray cats and dogs.
Secondly, even though hard journey, a lot of struggle. I have acted in 3 full feature independent cinema. I was able to act.
I have been lucky to accomplish my dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://jyotisingh.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jyotisingh0912/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AV9cKFrYk/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyoti-singh-171172a/
- Twitter: https://x.com/princesspudu?lang=en
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jyotisingh09?si=ZuJMT9IkupxGjyfr
- Other: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2811863/
