R. K. Mittal was born in a traditional Marwari family in Indore, MP. He lost his father at an early age and had to shoulder the financial burden for completing his education. After completing his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from GSTI, Indore, he settled down in Mumbai with a job in L&T. 

 

He had set two goals for himself - to graduate from the IIMA and to own a house in Mumbai. His first attempt to get into IIMA was unsuccessful but his determination got him through the next time. Shortly after he also fulfilled his other goal and did so brilliantly by providing all the modern comforts to his family, comforts that he was devoid of in his childhood and youth. Through out his career, he climbed the corporate ladder and worked for a number of large organisations to finally start his own export and HR consultancy. 

 

Unlike what one would expect in a typical Marwari family, he empowered his wife, Rita, to hone her artistic skills and helped her get published. He devoted his life to raising his two daughters and making sure they get the best education and go on to attain even greater heights. 

 

He was diagnosed with PSP in his early 50s The typical lifespan from diagnosis of the disease is only 7 years but his strong willpower beat all odds and kept him going. He finally succumbed to complications of the neurological disease and passed away in January, 2015. 

 

He has been an inspiration and a mentor for many. Even though he is physically no longer with us he left us a lifetime of smiles and loving memories to cherish forever. He was a man of few words, a lot of smiles, and we hope his courage and determination continues to influence our lives.