Shri Hiralal Khanna Ji
1889 - 1965
Shri Hiralal Khanna ji one of the most eminent educationalists of this province, earned a name not only as an able, efficient and sympathetic teacher but also as a great publicist in educational matters. His unbounded energy and a drive fired by zeal to serve the community helped him leave an indelible mark in the educational history of Uttar Pradesh.
A man of sound judgement, active habits and easy accessibility, he rendered yeoman service to every cause to which he put his hand. He carried with him the affection and loyalty of the students, the appreciation of his colleagues and the gratitude of the public. Shri Hiralal Khannaji did not confine his activities to the field of education alone. He took a lively interest in politics all his life and had the privilege to be near the greatest of our leaders. He got Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya’s portrait installed in the Parliament.
He strongly advocated that education has the tremendous responsibility to transform a student’s thinking from ‘’ what you can do for me’ to ‘what I can do for you’ and also to give them the power to break the shackles of limitation they are bounded by. Shri Hiralal Ji set out on a mission pre-independence to free India in his own way and eradicate poverty by educating brilliant minds. Shri Hiralal Khannaj planned the establishment of a large number of schools to serve the newly developed areas and set up the Kanpur Educational Society under the distinguished partnership of Acharya Narendra Dev.
Shri Khannaji kept in touch with the universities of Allahabad, Benaras and Agra as a member of the Senate of Court and of other bodies such as the academic council, the faculties of the Board of Studies. He was a doughty champion of Hindi. His speeches in the university bodies were made in Hindi and served as an encouragement to other members. He was among the founders of the Vigyan Bhavan, Allahabad and repeatedly advocated the early adoption of Hindi as the sole medium of instruction in the universities.
His exceptional leadership qualities, dynamism, courage of conviction and unwavering commitment to excellence continue to inspire us. He will always be an exemplary role model for us and for all who aspire to achieve the impossible and strive to transform their dreams into reality. His contributions to education are indeed memorable.
NLK’S VISION
“To transform young minds into independent, skilled individuals for a better tomorrow”
NLK’S MISSION
• To provide quality education for all.
• To enhance academic growth and character development.
Shri Nandlal Khanna Ji
1917 - 1985
‘Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time’
August 4 marks a significant milestone in the history of the NLK Group of Schools. This is the day we pay homage to our beloved founder Late Shri Nand Lal Khanna, a great man who left indelible marks in the sands of time. The one who made a difference in so many lives. Late Shri Nand Lal Khanna was born in an affluent family on 4 th August, 1917. His father Shri Hira Lal Khanna was an eminent industrialist, philanthropist and scholar. Shri Nand Lal Khanna lost his mother at the tender age of two. For an infant growing up without a mother is really difficult but his father, Shri Hira Lal Khanna, fondly addressed as ‘Babuji, raised his son in the best possible way.
After completing his education from Allahabad University, the entrepreneur started his business named ‘Cossul & Co.’. One of the biggest steps in a company’s growth journey is its expansion into international markets and that’s exactly what he did. He was a futuristic leader who thought of new possibilities that never existed before and successfully put them in practice. He worked with imagination, insight, and boldness He was the President of the local Board of Directors of State Bank of India. He was also the President of the Merchant Chamber of Commerce. (U.P)
He had innumerable virtues and was a perfect blend of wisdom,
patience, kindness, understanding and simplicity.
He strongly believed that education is a lifelong process. He also
believed that ‘Adult education’ meant the awareness about one’s
surroundings, problems, rights and duties. He was keen to learn more
and impart knowledge further. In 1962, at the age of 45, he was sent to
Columbia University by the Indian Productivity Council for a
Management course in Adult and Continuing Education.
He could identify real hidden talent in people around him. By delegating
well, he inspired people and helped them grow. He was a visionary with
a talented team that helped him reach his vision. He had progressive
social views. This inspiration led him to devote his life to serving others.
People remember him for his compassion and concern for the
underprivileged.
He provided educational opportunities to the deserving, especially those
who were not able to get quality education due to financial restraints. He
continued to support the noble cause of education in many ways for
years together. The NLK Group of institutions is an evidence of his
devotion and dedication towards education.
Our beloved founder Shri Nand Lal Khanna left for his heavenly abode
at an early age of 67. He has left behind an extraordinary legacy and the
same legacy was carried forward by his wife Late Smt. Pushpa Khanna.
The NLK Family has come a long way from its humble beginning.
Every member of the NLK Family is privileged to follow in his footsteps by contributing and striving
for a future that promises great opportunities to the students.
Smt. Pushpa Khanna Ji
1925 - 2017
Smt. Pushpa Khanna JiThe Late Pushpa Khanna Ji was born in Delhi on 3rd March, 1925 to Har Kishore Kapoor and Jamuna Devi Kapoor She married to Shri Nandlal Khanna Ji in the year 1939 at the young age of 14. Her father-in-law encouraged her to study further and so she completed her Master’s degree in Hindi while mothering two wonderful young kids at the same time. A highly zealous and enterprising nature inspired her to open a Home Science Institute for women in Kanpur in the 1960s on the model of Lady Irwin College in New Delhi. Espousing the cause of women empowerment, this institute helped make a number of women self-reliant. In the year 1965, when her father-in-law Shri Hiralal Khanna Ji, the great educationist, passed away, she took the reins of Poorna Devi Khanna in her hands and led the institution to greater heights. In the year 1987, she started Shri Nand Lal Khanna Vidya Mandir at Vishnupuri in memory of her husband Late Shri Nandlal Khanna ji with just seven students on roll. She was a registered Homeopath doctor as well as the Secretary of All India Women Conference (Kanpur branch). She showed the world how a chain of institutions could be established with dedication by a single generation. Her life, which was devoted to the service of humanity, was full of glorious achievements. This great visionary left for her heavenly abode on 30 April 2017. Her memories will be cherished in our hearts forever. She will be greatly missed, but her legacy will live on for many years to come. In her fond memory, the NLK Group of Schools is running the first of its kind Pediatric Neuro Rehabilitation Centre in Kanpur for providing Occupational therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech therapy, Sensory integration and Neurodevelopmental Therapy as “Pushpa Khanna Memorial Centre”. She is a path setter for all of us. She taught us the motto ‘Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.’