Masterjee Sharif Islam is a shining star in the world of garments Industry. He completed his graduation in Fashion Design from Mumbai in 2006. Due to his skill and talent, he is highly respected in the garment industries of Mumbai, Kerala, and Kolkata.
He worked for nearly 20 years in Mumbai and 5 years in Kerala as a pattern master and designer. He gained recognition as a successful designer in large garment factories as well as in Mumbai’s film industry.
While working at a factory in front of Tilak Bhavan in Dadar, Mumbai, he had an extraordinary talent—without taking body measurements, he could create perfectly fitting garments just by looking at a person once. People would come from far and wide to witness this rare ability. Gradually, people in Mumbai’s garment industry began to recognize him, and within a few years, his name went viral across the city.
There are thousands of types of dresses and designs in the world. He can effortlessly explain where and how much measurement is required for any dress as if it were second nature.
He can speak, read, and write in eight languages: Hindi, English, Gujarati, Marathi, Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, and Assamese.
Since childhood, he has been associated with multiple NGOs. In 2007, he founded a social service organization called “Al Madina Seva Sangha.” Even today, hundreds of poor Hindu and Muslim families receive medical aid, clothing, and other support from this organization. He believes, “This world is our country, our village, our neighborhood. We are all one family. Our only religion is humanity, and our only identity is that we are human.”
During the lockdown, when people were unable to step out and the poor struggled for food, Masterjee and his team cooked and fed 70–80 needy people daily. For this noble work, Mufti Abdul Matin Sahib, head of All India Sunnatul Jamaat, along with leaders from various parties, visited and praised him as a “hero of society.”
A book based on his life’s ups and downs, titled “Abhishapto Bichar” (Cursed Judgment), once created a huge sensation locally and on the internet. While it was widely appreciated for its honest social message, it also drew criticism from some individuals. Readers from India and Bangladesh who read the book online became lifelong admirers of Masterjee. (The book has been temporarily removed from the website for a new edition, which will be released soon.)
Once, some miscreants vandalized his car out of jealousy. Instead of being disturbed, he transformed the damaged car into a completely new design using a grinder—creating an open-top vehicle like those seen in movies. People were amazed. Even owners of expensive cars would stop to take selfies with his unique car. During elections, local leaders used his car for campaigning, and once again, he went viral. It was as if he gave a silent reply: “You tried to destroy my car, but I turned it into a model admired by all.”
He studied in a madrasa for five years in his childhood and is a Qari and a Hafiz of seven paras of the Quran. When he gives the call to prayer (Azan), it feels like hearing the Azan from mosques in Dhaka. He is also highly talented in Quran recitation and singing Islamic songs (Ghazals).
In 2010, he got a job in Indian Railways but chose not to join, as his passion was deeply connected to the garment industry. He believes that one does not need a big job to become successful—talent and dedication in even small work can lead to greatness.
His family was once the poorest in the village. After starting to earn, he bought the first Royal Enfield bike in his locality, later becoming the first to purchase a four-wheeler from a showroom. He was also the first to bring an air conditioner into his home and built the tallest and most beautiful house in the area. His journey from zero to hero feels even more inspiring than a Bollywood movie.
The life of Masterjee Sharif Islam is a story of inspiration—struggle, talent, hard work, and humanity. He is not just a designer but a “kingmaker” who has transformed thousands of lives. Many poor individuals learned skills from him and found a path to independence.
At the beginning of 2026, he launched an e-commerce website: www.hotsaleindia.com, through which people can shop from anywhere in India. Remarkably, he built the website himself without coding—an inspiring example for those who believe that good websites cannot be made without coding.
In a fashion industry unit on Carter Road, Mumbai, he designed outfits for film artists and models. He also established a school in Santacruz, Mumbai, named Masterjee International Institute. Later, he decided to contribute to his home state. Seeing that Kolkata was lagging in technology, he started a computerized garment pattern service in Metiabruz. Today, his patterns are supplied online across India. He also shifted his institute from Mumbai to Kolkata, giving hope that the youth of Bengal will find new direction in garment technology.
— Abdussamad Mondal, Student of Masterjee International Institute (Mumbai)