From Envelopes to Global Accolades: Kuldip Goel's Journey Ignites Young Minds at Print Amrit Dhara

In a session brimming with raw determination and timeless wisdom, self-made printing pioneer Kuldip Goel captivated an eager audience of students, aspiring entrepreneurs, and industry professionals at the Central University of Haryana (CUH). As part of the Offset Printers’ Association (OPA)'s flagship initiative, Print Amrit Dhara – A River of Inspiration – Goel's rags-to-riches tale unfolded like a blueprint for turning adversity into innovation, leaving attendees inspired to chase their own entrepreneurial dreams.

The event, held on the verdant CUH campus in Mahendergarh, Haryana, drew a diverse crowd of over 200 participants, including printing and packaging students, young professionals, and faculty. Prof. (Dr.) Tankeshwar Kumar, Vice Chancellor of CUH, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, while Prof. Kamal Mohan Chopra, a senior OPA representative, moderated the session and emphasized the initiative's role in bridging generational gaps within the industry. "Print Amrit Dhara is not just an event; it's a lifeline for the next wave of innovators," Chopra said, highlighting OPA's commitment to fostering knowledge-sharing without barriers.

Goel, the CEO and Founder of ANY Graphics Pvt Ltd – a trailblazing printing powerhouse in India – took the stage to recount his extraordinary odyssey, a narrative that began in the narrow lanes of Old Delhi in the late 1970s. At just eight years old in 1977, Goel and his siblings transformed discarded notebooks into handmade envelopes, a humble hustle born of necessity in a modest family grappling with financial hardships. By nine, he was meticulously drawing lottery charts by hand on weekends, earning a mere two rupees a day. "I didn't just draw lines; I poured art into every stroke because I believed beauty in work breeds beauty in life," Goel shared, his voice steady yet laced with the passion of a man who turned childhood chores into a lifelong calling.

The 56-year-old entrepreneur wove a tapestry of resilience through his talk, detailing a boyhood marked by eclectic jobs – from selling repaired matchboxes at bargain prices with unflinching honesty, to peddling purses and sarees, and even dabbling in electrical repairs. At 14, with a second-hand book, scant savings, and his mother's unwavering encouragement, Goel launched his home-based printing venture. Summers meant toiling beside scorching machines, nights blurred into sketches and manual label-cutting amid towering stacks of paper. Yet, amid the grind, he never faltered on education, earning accolades as the Best Student of the Year from India's then Central Education Minister, Shri Kedarnath Sahni.

A poignant anecdote stole the spotlight: the theft of a rented bicycle used for deliveries, which plunged young Goel into debt he was too underage to formally repay. Undeterred, he took on gruelling side gigs – hauling heavy loads and hawking calendars – until every paisa was restored. "When my mother saw my blistered hands and wept, I learned that promises are the true currency of trust," Goel reflected, drawing nods and misty eyes from the audience. This ethos of integrity propelled him forward, evolving a 1,200-square-foot rented space into a sprawling 250,000-square-foot greenfield facility in Noida, and pioneering breakthroughs like India's first UV label printing machine, Dome Labels, and 360° Security Labels.

Goel's accolades – 14 World Label Awards, nine World FESPA Awards, 14 PrintWeek Awards, and over 100 LMAI National Awards – were not mere footnotes but testaments to relentless innovation. In 2024, ANY Graphics clinched a spot among the world's top three label manufacturers at the Chicago expo, and Goel became the first Indian nominated for Global Innovations in Barcelona. Featured in Business Today as early as 1995, his story underscores that success stems not from serendipity, but from values, grit, and an unyielding love for one's craft.

Prof. Tankeshwar Kumar, in his keynote address, lauded Goel's journey as a "beacon for CUH's youth." "In an era of quick fixes, Goel's life reminds us that true legacy is built brick by painstaking brick. This collaboration with OPA exemplifies how academia and industry can co-create futures," the Vice Chancellor remarked, urging students to embrace challenges as "stepping stones to excellence."

True to its ethos, Print Amrit Dhara – envisioned by OPA as a "stream of nectar" for India's printing fraternity – was offered free of charge, with every logistical facet funded by the association. The initiative, as detailed in OPA's evocative campaign materials, unites self-made legends with the next generation, dispensing hard-earned insights on navigating obstacles, scaling ventures, and infusing creativity into the art of ink and paper. Chopra reinforced this, noting, "OPA's doors are flung wide for dreamers from all walks – no fee, no filter – because knowledge should flow like the Ganges, enriching every shore it touches."

The session sparked lively Q&A exchanges, with students probing Goel's secrets to work-life balance and his tips for sustainable innovation. One attendee, CUH printing student Priya Sharma, gushed, "Hearing Goel felt like drinking from a well of motivation. From envelopes to global awards – it's proof that our small steps can echo worldwide."

As Print Amrit Dhara continues its nationwide ripple – with more sessions planned across universities and hubs – Goel's address stands as a stirring chapter in its unfolding legacy. In an industry that preserves stories on every page, events like this ensure the human tales behind the machines endure, inspiring a new cadre of visionaries to print their mark on the world.