Bikaji Foods International founder and chairman Shivratan Agarwal died in Chennai on Thursday morning following a heart attack. He was 74.
Agarwal had travelled to the city for his wife’s heart surgery and was staying with his family at a hotel.
Family sources said Agarwal complained of uneasiness around 7:30 a.m. and was rushed to a private hospital, where he passed away. His wife had recently undergone bypass surgery and was advised to rest, prompting the family to remain in Chennai for her recovery.
Agarwal, a resident of Sardulganj in Bikaner, founded Bikaji in 1993 after separating from his family’s traditional association with Haldiram’s. He began producing bhujia under Shivdeep Food Products, named after his son, and later rebranded the venture as Bikaji — inspired by Rao Bika, the founder of Bikaner.
Despite studying only up to Class 8, Agarwal built Bikaji into one of India’s leading snack brands through innovation and vision. He introduced mechanised bhujia production, making Bikaji the first Indian brand to use machines for manufacturing.
In 2022, Bikaji Foods International achieved a major milestone with its stock market listing, marking its evolution from a local enterprise to a global food company.
Agarwal’s entrepreneurial journey transformed Bikaner’s traditional snack industry and inspired generations of business leaders. His legacy continues through Bikaji’s nationwide presence and international reach.
