Mumbai: Essel Group Chairman Dr. Subhash Chandra, along with his brothers Shri Laxmi Narain Goel, Shri Jawahar Goel and Shri Ashok Goel, has announced the establishment of Shri Nand Kishore Goenka University in Agroha, Hisar, as a lasting tribute to their father, Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji.
The university will be developed on 32 acres of land owned by the Goenka family with an investment of nearly Rs. 100 crore. Envisioned as a centre of excellence dedicated to social service and community welfare, the institution aims to carry forward Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji’s lifelong commitment to philanthropy and public service.
The university will introduce a specialized and distinctive curriculum focused on ‘Social Service’ and ‘Giving Back to Society’, with the objective of nurturing socially responsible leaders. To facilitate the establishment of the institution, the Goenka family has signed an agreement with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad.
The announcement was made in Agroha, Hisar, following the last rites of Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji, in the presence of thousands of family members, well-wishers and members of the local community who gathered to pay their respects.
The funeral was attended by several distinguished dignitaries and political leaders from across the country, including Union Minister Manohar Lal, former Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Haryana Cabinet Minister Ranbir Gangwa, Rajya Sabha MP Subhash Barala, Hansi MLA Vinod Bhayana, former Haryana Minister Kamal Gupta, Adampur MLA Chandraprakash and Nohar (Rajasthan) MLA Amit Chachan.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also conveyed his condolences to the Goenka family through a heartfelt letter, remembering Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji’s contribution to society.
The Prime Minister stated, “He not only enriched the family’s business traditions but also fulfilled his responsibilities toward society with complete sincerity. His life, inspired by his service to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and guided by the ideals of organization and ‘Nation First’ stood as an example of simplicity and public welfare. I consider it my privilege to have had the opportunity to meet him on several occasions. His warmth and gracious nature will always remain in my memory. His passing is an irreparable loss to society.”
Tributes also poured in from leaders across the country, including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev also paid homage, while business leaders including Kumar Mangalam Birla and Bombay Stock Exchange MD & CEO Sundararaman Ramamurthy expressed their condolences.
In memory of Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji, the Goenka family has organized daily ‘Shanti Baithaks’ from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Goenka Seva Sadan, Devi Bhawan Mandir Complex, Hisar, where friends, well-wishers and members of the community are gathering to offer prayers and pay tribute.
A ‘Rasam Pagdi’ ceremony will be held on 26 July 2026, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, at Maharaja Aggarsain Bhawan, Old Government College Ground, Hisar.
The family expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support and prayers received from across the country during this period of bereavement and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the values of service, compassion and community welfare that Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji embodied throughout his life.
Late Shri Nand Kishore Goenka Ji passed away on 13 July 2026 in Mumbai at the age of 96. He was widely respected for his humility, generosity and unwavering commitment to community welfare. Through his philanthropic initiatives and guidance, he championed the values of service and compassion, leaving a lasting impact on countless lives.
