Brands
Shiv Ratan Agarwal, the man who built Bikaji Foods, passes away
The man who turned a Bikaneri snack stall into a global brand leaves behind a formidable legacy
RAJASTHAN: Shiv Ratan Agarwal, the founder, promoter, chairman and whole-time director of Bikaji Foods International, passed away on Thursday, April 23. His death was described by the company as an irreparable loss.
Agarwal built Bikaji from the ground up, transforming what was a traditional Bikaneri snacks business into an internationally recognised packaged foods brand. His formula was deceptively simple: keep the authentic taste, add modern business muscle. It worked. The company grew into a nationally and globally present force, listed on both the BSE and the National Stock Exchange.
The board of directors, management and employees of the company conveyed their deepest condolences to his family, calling his passing unexpected.
Bikaji was unequivocal about its intentions going forward. “The company remains committed to building upon the strong foundation laid by him and will continue to uphold and strengthen the goodwill of the Bikaji brand by carrying forward his vision, principles, and entrepreneurial ethos,” it said in a regulatory filing to the stock exchanges. The company added that it would strive to sustain its growth trajectory while leading a profitable and responsible business.
On the regulatory side, Bikaji informed the exchanges that Agarwal would cease to be classified under the promoter and promoter group category, in accordance with Regulation 31A(6)(c) of the listing regulations, following his demise.
He turned a snack into a stock market story. The question now is who carries the recipe forward.
Brands
Nissan, Avis roll out Rs 9,399 leasing plans for Magnite, GRAVITE
Partnership targets corporate mobility with flexible, asset-light solutions
GURUGRAM: Nissan Motor India has partnered with Avis India to introduce leasing and subscription-based mobility solutions, targeting the growing demand for flexible and asset-light transport options among corporate customers.
Under the partnership, vehicles including the Nissan Magnite and the all-new Nissan GRAVITE will be available through structured leasing and subscription plans. Rentals start at Rs 9,399 per month, with flexible tenures of up to 60 months and usage capped at 50,000 km.
The offering is designed as an end-to-end solution, with Avis India handling the complete lease lifecycle, including procurement, registration, maintenance, insurance and end-of-term services. The aim is to provide enterprises with predictable cost structures while reducing the burden of asset ownership.
Commenting on the development, Nissan Motor India managing director Saurabh Vatsa said, “This partnership reinforces Nissan’s long-term commitment to the Indian market through strategic, customer-centric initiatives that deliver greater value by expanding accessible and flexible mobility solutions.”
He added, Nissan Motor India managing director Saurabh Vatsa said, “By collaborating with Avis India, we are enabling a seamless leasing ecosystem that supports the evolving needs of corporate customers seeking efficient and scalable mobility.”
Echoing the sentiment, Avis India managing director Aman Naagar said, “This partnership strengthens our relationships with key manufacturers and aligns with our focus on building scalable and structured platforms for enterprise clients.”
The collaboration reflects a broader shift in corporate mobility preferences, where businesses are increasingly opting for subscription-led models over ownership. By combining Nissan’s vehicle portfolio with Avis India’s operational capabilities, the companies are positioning themselves to tap into India’s evolving mobility landscape with solutions that prioritise flexibility, efficiency and scale.
