Late Noor Pratap Rana, the founder of Universal Group, is considered a pioneer in the Nepali footwear industry. Noor stepped into the footwear industry in the 1970s. In the early 80s, the group established a factory in Hetauda and started producing ‘Hathi’ brand slippers. A catchphrase used to promote the brand “Hathi Baliyo ki Hathi Chap Chappal” became famous in the decades to come. 

Rana is believed to have introduced the first pair of slippers manufactured in Nepal. Later, Noor founded the brand Goldstar in the nineties. Today, it has become Nepal’s premium footwear brand known for its quality, durability and design and is produced in two factories in Kathmandu, Shankha Park and Balaju, and majorly exported to India. Today, the group produces Goldstar brand shoes under Kiran Shoes Manufacturer and Hathichhap brand sandals under Modern Slipper Industry. Both brands are exported to South Asian markets. In the year 2013, the government felicitated Kiran Shoes as the highest taxpayer in the export category.

Earlier, Noor started his business career trying his hands in the transport business in Bhairahawa. His breakthrough came when he started producing metal strings by importing Mica but it was his journey into the footwear industry that got him his major success. Afterwards, the group stepped into the dairy industry by establishing Integrated Dairy and Agro Products Pvt Ltd in 2004. The company is the producer of milk brand ‘Anmol’. The group is one of the major promoters of Kumari Bank, NMB Bank and Shikhar Insurance Co.