 In 1977, Mistry went to Oxford on a scholarship for a development studies course.He then returned to India in 1979 and worked as a field officer for Oxfam during 1979-85.After leaving Oxfam, in 1985, he founded the NGO "Developing Initiatives for Social and Human Action" (DISHA), with an aim to mobilize the Dalits, forest workers, tribal women and casual labourers in Gujarat.