Lala Kedarnath Aggarwal, widely recognized for establishing the confectionery and snacks empire Bikanervala, breathed his last at the age of 86 on Monday. Fondly known as Kakaji, Aggarwal’s entrepreneurial journey began in Delhi, where he, along with his brother Satyanarayan Aggarwal, introduced the family’s cherished recipes to the city.
Hailing from Bikaner, the Aggarwal family had operated a sweet shop named Bikaner Namkeen Bhandar since 1905. In the early 1950s, driven by grand aspirations, Kedarnath Aggarwal migrated to Delhi and embarked on the journey of peddling buckets of bhujia and rasgulla on the streets of old Delhi. Despite initial challenges, the unique taste of Bikaner, coupled with the Aggarwal brothers’ relentless efforts, gained recognition and acceptance among the people.
In the early years, the Aggarwal brothers established a shop in Delhi’s Chandini Chowk, where they employed family recipes passed down through generations. Bikaner Namkeen Bhandar, eventually known as Bikanervala, became renowned for its Moong Dal Halwa, Bikaneri Bhujia, Kaju Katli, and other delicacies.
The company, which now operates more than 60 outlets in India and has a global presence in countries such as the USA, New Zealand, Singapore, Nepal, and the UAE, expressed that Kakaji’s demise marks the end of an era that has enriched palates and touched countless lives. Shyam Sunder Aggarwal, the Managing Director of the group, emphasized that Kakaji’s visionary leadership will forever guide the culinary journey of the company.
As Radhey Mohan Aggarwal, the Director of Bikanervala Group and eldest son of Kakaji, bids farewell to a legend, he pledges to carry forward the legacy with a profound sense of responsibility. Bikanervala remains committed to upholding Kakaji’s values, ensuring that every dish narrates a story, and every customer is regarded as part of the extended family. The passing of Kakaji is not only a loss for Bikanervala but also creates a void in the culinary landscape, leaving behind a legacy that has become a household name.
