"Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."
Master ji as he is fondly known across Delhi lives on simple philosophy of ‘GIVING’.
Ishwar Dutt Gupta this un assuming gentleman was born on 1 July, 1945, in a nondescript and obscure town of Shamli ( Kandela) a village in western Uttar Pradesh to Late Shri Sita Ram Mittal, a business man. Having being born in an under developed geographical area of the state gave him first hand insight into the life and hardships faced by people in their daily lives. There was general lack of education, resulting in dearth of opportunities in the region. During his early years of education in Baraut , his father realised that his son was special hence he sent his son for graduation to Delhi. After his Bachelor in Arts Master Ji wanted to achieve higher goals and he studied further and completed his degree in Education (Bed). He, soon after was appointed as Teacher in MUNICIPAL CORPORATION IN DELHI
This was just a start of his journey, as he had already seen all the hardships faced by people in his region of birth; he soon one after another started to bring his extended family members to Delhi for further studies and assistance in employment. He supported every one of them till the time of their respective studies were over and they got respectable employment.
His zeal to support his family gave him an idea of starting something of his own and in 1970 he started Timber business.
This was the time when unknowingly he started to get immersed in social causes. Initially it was only friends and family but in due course people from across all sections of society started to come to ask for his assistance. Along with his flourishing business, his reputation for ‘CHARITY’ also started to grow and he became one point solution to problem faced by people of the area. Despite his schedule of a working as a full time teacher he still continued with his passion of ‘GIVING’.
His soft demeanour but steely resolve made him the force to recon with in his professional circle. Despite his initial reluctance he was made President of Teacher’s association of Chandni Chowk Delhi, position he continued to hold for ten long years for the same association.
He has always said and believed that “We as humans need to give back to society in any form what God has so graciously given us”.
Master Ji, by now he had become famous by this name and in 1986, decided to hang up his boots from the government job and took voluntary retirement.
Post his retirement he-engrossed himself in business and philanthropy.
He is credited to be one of the founders of the Timber Merchant & Traders Association in Loni Road recognising this, he was appointed Chairman of Loni Road Timber Association, position which he held since its inception till 2016.
People in surrounding areas realized that, since Master Ji has now retired they can go and ask for his assistance any time and in form.
Over a period of close to three decades Master ji has on numerous occasions helped people across caste, religion or social backgrounds.Be it Medical, Legal, Government related assistance Master Ji has been the go to man for the residents of Delhi.
Personal tragedy increased his zeal to do even more towards society and he established Neeraj Mittal Memorial Library at West Jyoti Nagar. The library is free for everyone.
His endless endeavour to work towards the betterment of society as a whole has been recognized by many Associations and bodies he has been bestowed upon with numerous accolades and awards.
He was the Of Chairman of Maharaja Agrasen College & Shriram College of Higher Education ( BAGHPAT UTTAR PRADESH )
He was Senior Chief Warden for North East District of Delhi for close to twenty five years.
Has was serving as the chairman of Aggarwal Sewa Sangh Shahdara , General Secretary Shri Sanatan Dhram Dharamsala Balbir Nagar Shahdara , Haridwar Uttarakhand , Sr. Patrons Jyoti Nagar Residence Welfare Association and many more education institutions and societies , Chairman of Neeraj Mittal Memorial Library to name a few.
Even though he is Semi retired from public life he is now the mentor for society and the guiding force, even he was always actively involved in the social up liftment of the marginalised.