Early Life
Shivratan Agarwal was born in Bikaner, Rajasthan, into a family with deep roots in the traditional snack-making industry. His grandfather, Gangabhisan Agarwal, founded the renowned Haldiram brand. Shivratan showed an early interest in the family's trade, learning the craft of bhujia-making under his grandfather's guidance. Despite this early exposure, he chose a different path from formal education, completing only class 8 before entering the family business.
Rise to Success
In the late 1980s, Shivratan made a significant decision to establish his own brand, driven by a vision to share authentic Indian flavors with the world. In 1987, he launched his snack-making business. The business was initially named Shivdeep Products. In 1993, he rebranded it as Bikaji Foods International, drawing inspiration from the founder of Bikaner city and adding “Ji” as a mark of respect. The name reflected the city's culinary heritage and created a strong connection with consumers. Under his leadership, Bikaji has become synonymous with authentic Indian taste and quality. Bikaji Foods went public in November 2022, with its IPO price increasing upon listing.
Key Business Strategies
Shivratan Agarwal focused on quality and innovation. His company introduced biodegradable packaging to enhance the brand's appeal and align with modern sustainability practices. Agarwal introduced cutting-edge technology for producing bhujias in India. His strategic decision-making played a key role in Bikaji Foods International's success. He focused on product diversification and market expansion. Shivratan brought the latest technology to create bhujias and also succeeded in coming up with a catchy name for the company that would appeal to customers.
Philanthropy
Specific philanthropy amounts were not found, but he is involved with the Beechhwal Eco-Friendly Foundation.
