Gita Press Chairman Keshoram Agarwal Dies at 97 in Kolkata

Keshoram Agarwal, the chairman of the renowned Gita Press, passed away on Tuesday morning in Kolkata at the age of 97. He breathed his last at 7:22 am, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the promotion of Sanatan Dharma and religious literature.

Agarwal, known for his simplicity and deep spiritual values, was widely respected across social and religious circles. His passing was marked by a condolence meeting at the Gita Press headquarters in Gorakhpur, where trustees, employees, and devotees gathered to pay their respects. The programme included a one-hour kirtan, and trustee Devidayal Agarwal spoke about Agarwal’s lifelong dedication to the institution and his commitment to preserving India’s cultural and religious heritage.

Lalmani Tiwari, the manager of Gita Press, described Agarwal as a man who devoted his entire life to upholding and promoting religious and cultural traditions. Under his leadership, Gita Press became a cornerstone of spiritual literature, publishing millions of copies of sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Ramcharitmanas, and Puranas in multiple languages.

Agarwal’s last rites were performed at Keoratala Mahashmashan in Kolkata, attended by a large number of people. Before this, his mortal remains were taken to Govind Bhavan, where hundreds gathered to bid him a final farewell.

He is survived by his sons, Parikshit and Gaurang Agarwal, and daughters, Meera Patwari and Brinda Agarwal. His passing marks the end of an era for Gita Press, an institution that has played a pivotal role in spreading spiritual knowledge across generations.