Puran Dawar’s family migrated to Agra from Pakistan following the traumatic Partition of 1947. The beleaguered family initially took shelter in a refugee camp at Malpura and then endured a prolonged phase of hardship, struggling daily even for basic necessities like food. These early experiences left an indelible impression on young Puran Dawar’s mind and shaped his resilience and determination.

To survive and rebuild their lives, both young and old members of the family joined hands, undertaking every possible means of livelihood. From tailoring and selling milk to supervising labour and trading in coal, no opportunity was left unexplored to restore stability. Balancing studies alongside small jobs and business activities, Mr. Dawar went on to complete his post-graduation in Economics, followed by an LLB—laying a strong academic foundation for his future endeavors.

After a brief stint in shoe retailing, he established a footwear manufacturing unit. Gradually, this venture expanded into exports, marking the beginning of a remarkable entrepreneurial journey. Today, the Dawar Group stands as one of Agra’s most respected, professionally managed business houses, with diversified interests and a strong global footprint. Having achieved significant milestones in business, Mr. Dawar has increasingly refocused his energies on social causes that have always been close to his heart.

Deeply committed to the upliftment of the poor and underprivileged sections of society, his philanthropic vision finds meaningful expression through the Saksham Dawar Memorial Trust (SDMT), which reflects his compassion and social responsibility in full measure.

Mr. Puran Dawar is the Chairman of Dawar Footwear Industries and a dedicated Trustee of the Saksham Dawar Memorial Trust. A highly respected voice in the national footwear and leather sector, he serves as the Chairman of the Development Council for Footwear and Leather Industry (DCFLI), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. He also holds the position of Regional Chairman (North) of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE).

Guided by a vision of sustainable and exponential growth, Mr. Dawar actively leads these diverse roles, consistently driving excellence, innovation, and industry-wide development.

Other notable milestones in his illustrious career include:

1. Founding the Agra Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Chamber (AFMEC) in 1994 to promote footwear exports from Agra and firmly position the city on the global footwear map. AFMEC also organizes one of the largest conclaves on Intellectual Property Rights in the footwear industry.
2. Establishing the Agra Development Foundation, dedicated to the overall development and growth of Agra city.
3. Serving as a Chairman of the Development Council for Footwear and Leather Industry (DCFLI) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, and Regional Chairman (North) of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE).