Lala Kedarnath Aggarwal, who once sold bhujia and rasgullas by the bucket on the streets of old Delhi before establishing sweets and snacks brand Bikanervala, passed away on Monday.
He was 86 years old.
The demise of Aggarwal, affectionately known as Kakaji, “marked the end of an era that has enriched palates and touched countless lives,” Bikanervala said in a statement. The company operates more than 60 outlets in India and has a presence in countries such as the United States, New Zealand, Singapore, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates.
“Kakaji’s departure is not just a loss for Bikanervala; it is a void in the culinary landscape. His vision and leadership will forever guide our culinary journey,” said group CEO Shyam Sunder Aggarwal.
Kedarnath Aggarwal started his business journey in Delhi.
Originally from Bikaner, his family owned a sweet shop on the streets of the city since 1905. The shop was called Bikaner Namkeen Bhandar and used to sell a few varieties of sweets and snacks.
Aggarwal, who had greater ambitions, migrated to Delhi in the early 1950s along with his brother Satyanarayan Aggarwal, bringing the family recipe to the city.
At first, the two had difficulty carrying buckets full of bhujia and rasgulla, which they sold on the streets of old Delhi. However, the hard work of the Aggarwal brothers and the unique taste of Bikaner soon gained recognition and acceptance among the people of Delhi.
Later, the Aggarwal brothers opened a shop in Delhi’s Chandini Chowk, where they used their family recipes that were passed down from generation to generation.
Bikaner Namkeen Bhandar soon became famous for its Moong Dal Halwa, Bikaneri Bhujia and Kaju Katli among others. The two brothers and the shop soon became popular as Bikanervala.
“As we bid farewell to a legend, we carry forward his legacy with a deep sense of responsibility. Bikanervala will continue to be a reflection of his values, a place where every dish tells a story and every customer is part of our great family.” said Radhey Mohan Aggarwal, director of the Bikanervala Group and Kakaji’s eldest son.
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