Early Life
Shivratan Agarwal was born into a family with deep roots in the traditional Indian snack-making business. His grandfather, Gangabhisan 'Haldiram' Bhujiawala, was a pioneer in the industry. Shivratan grew up in Bikaner, Rajasthan, and learned the art of bhujia-making early on. Despite his family's legacy, Shivratan chose a different path after completing his education up to class 8.
Rise to Success
In the late 1980s, Shivratan decided to create his own legacy by leaving Haldiram's. He founded Shivdeep Products in 1986, which was later rebranded as Bikaji Foods International in 1993. His vision was to capture the authentic flavors of Indian snacks and offer them to a global audience. Shivratan’s focus on quality and consumer-friendly packaging helped to grow Bikaji and the brand went public in November 2022.
Key Business Strategies
Shivratan Agarwal focused on innovation, including the use of technology for large-scale snack production. He was one of the first to introduce machines capable of producing bhujia and other snacks at a mass level, ensuring consistency and quality. Bikaji also focused on consumer-friendly packaging and built a strong brand identity, including the use of Amitabh Bachchan as a brand ambassador.
Philanthropy
While specific details on Shivratan Agarwal's philanthropic endeavors are limited, he has supported organizations and initiatives focusing on social impact, and is involved in philanthropy, focusing on causes like education and healthcare. Further details about the extent and specific initiatives would be needed to provide more information.