Kailash Chand 'KC' Agarwal
Founder and CEO
Siam Shine Star | Bangkok, Thailand
Janam Bhumi:
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Dharma Bhumi:
Chhatarpura, Rajasthan
Karma Bhumi:
Bangkok, Thailand
The Gemsmith of Kindness & Karma
The ‘Kailash Chand’ Factor: “Ginte-ginte bhool gaye, phir ginenge … When you forget while counting, count again. That’s how one must approach life. Don’t be afraid to restart from zero.”
THE MAN
It is a well-established scientific fact that middle children are more likely to develop strong negotiation and peacemaking skills. And as the middle male child, Kailash Chand ‘KC’ Agarwal excels in both, as a business owner and a community leader.
Born in 1953 to Bholaram Agarwal and Shakuntala Devi, he was the middle son of the family. Being in the middle taught him two things early: to observe keenly and to speak only when it mattered. He says, “In most homes, the eldest commands, the youngest is indulged. The middle has to work hard to be heard. If you don’t stand up, no one listens. So, I stood up, dreamed differently, and made my path, without straying from tradition.”
Originally from Chhatarpura in Rajasthan, the family moved to Delhi, where Kailash Chand’s father gained a reputation for himself as a pioneering jeweller, with the shop in a bustling jeweller’s lane in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk. KC’s earliest memories were of gleaming diamonds and gems, and time spent learning the nitty-gritty of the trade from his father, who also became the only parent the siblings had after KC’s mother passed away when he was just 15. KC’s eyes glisten with grief as he talks about his mother. “She was our strength, our silence, our sanctuary. I lost her young, but she never really left me. I still live by the values she wove into our childhood.”
THE JOURNEY
KC had completed his bachelor’s degree in science, but his calling lay in the family trade. Having spent many summers in the shop, he had learned a lot about the business, the most valuable one being that a stone must be weighed not just in carats but also in credibility, and that a customer’s trust was often more valuable than any profit.
His father’s conservative approach to the business clashed with KC’s youthful restlessness. “I wanted to bring change, bring technology. They asked me why? I said, because the world is moving. So must we.”
KC wanted to step out of the by lanes of Chandni Chowk and go global. In 1974, at twenty-one, he broke new ground, arriving in Hong Kong that became his training ground. It taught him that business was as much about commerce as it was about understanding people’s mindset. KC soon proved his mettle with the company winning two National Awards for Outstanding Export Performance in the non-DTC category in India.
KC’s business acumen is the product of a journey through global markets and cultures. New York demanded boldness. Antwerp revealed the strength of tradition. In each city, he built networks and learned to adapt. “You should never put all your eggs in one basket,” he says. “If you spread your risks, even when one market faces trouble, you can survive.”
By 1982, seeking a base closer to India and a calmer pace, KC made Bangkok his home and founded Siam Shine Star. Starting with diamonds, he gradually expanded into real estate, investments, and agriculture, with a focus on promoting millets and organic products. “A business, like a tree, must grow many roots to survive the storms,” he reflects.
In Bangkok, his vision took shape. He introduced new technologies—from electronic scales to custom diamond-grading software—while building a global supply network that ensured fast, reliable access to certified natural diamonds. Through it all, the values of honesty, transparency, and integrity have remained his compass.
THE SPIRIT WITHIN
Long before the world wakes up, KC sits at his harmonium, fingers finding familiar notes. “When the noise in your head is set aside, you find space for the voice within,” he says.
His approach to spirituality is embedded in purity as the force and preaching as the essence. He practices what he preaches, leading devotional chants, and sharing mantras he believes could heal beyond the heart. “Chant sincerely and the blockages will clear. Like the hum of a mosquito, the vibration can travel through you and unlock what was stuck.”
His belief is that ‘dharma’ (the righteous path) should be lived, not just spoken about, and that community gatherings should both inspire and unite. As President of the International Vaish Federation—Thailand Chapter, he championed his community without noise. According to him, “A great man does, and an average man follows. The great man does not need to announce it.” Much like the calm in his tone, his philanthropy moves quietly — from funding education for underprivileged children and restoring temples, to disaster relief, and planting trees.
THE LEGACY
Today, KC and his wife, Deepshikha, enjoy the quiet life surrounded by spirituality and serenity. Well-earned, especially for Deepshikha, who comes from a family devoted to public service and is an Economics graduate. Her investment in her husband’s success and her children’s upbringing has paid off rich dividends for both of them.
Their sons, Kartik and Dinesh, were raised with no sense of entitlement, and lead with the same values as their parents taught them. Kartik runs the day-to-day show at Siam Shine Star as its Managing Director with his wife, Pallavi, also supporting him. Their son, Aarav Shri is his grandfather’s conversation buddy. Dinesh and his wife, Sunaina, live in Mumbai, where Dinesh, a chemical engineer, runs ‘Om Sri Lab’. A trained Chartered Accountant, Sunaina right now balances the home front with their two daughters Sharanya and Saiesha.
KC’s family is his personal repository of wealth, one that matters the most. From Delhi to Bangkok, and multiple adventures in between, KC has conquered the global village, but his spiritual and moral address remains Indian.
As KC traversed through countries and continents, establishing successful ventures, the one thing that has remained constant is his conscience. KC says, “Neeyat saaf toh manzil aasaan” (“When your intentions are pure, your goal will be easily achieved”).
To value the true worth of a diamond, jewellers look at the four Cs—Carat, Cut, Clarity, and Colour. KC Agrawal’s legacy lies in the four Cs of Character, Credibility, Compassion, and Community. In each he shines, making him a rare gem among men.
“Ginte-ginte bhool gaye, phir ginenge … When you forget while counting, count again. That’s how one must approach life. Don’t be afraid to restart from zero.”
THE MAN
It is a well-established scientific fact that middle children are more likely to develop strong negotiation and peacemaking skills. And as the middle male child, Kailash Chand ‘KC’ Agarwal excels in both, as a business owner and a community leader.
Born in 1953 to Bholaram Agarwal and Shakuntala Devi, he was the middle son of the family. Being in the middle taught him two things early: to observe keenly and to speak only when it mattered. He says, “In most homes, the eldest commands, the youngest is indulged. The middle has to work hard to be heard. If you don’t stand up, no one listens. So, I stood up, dreamed differently, and made my path, without straying from tradition.”
Originally from Chhatarpura in Rajasthan, the family moved to Delhi, where Kailash Chand’s father gained a reputation for himself as a pioneering jeweller, with the shop in a bustling jeweller’s lane in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk. KC’s earliest memories were of gleaming diamonds and gems, and time spent learning the nitty-gritty of the trade from his father, who also became the only parent the siblings had after KC’s mother passed away when he was just 15. KC’s eyes glisten with grief as he talks about his mother. “She was our strength, our silence, our sanctuary. I lost her young, but she never really left me. I still live by the values she wove into our childhood.”
THE JOURNEY
KC had completed his bachelor’s degree in science, but his calling lay in the family trade. Having spent many summers in the shop, he had learned a lot about the business, the most valuable one being that a stone must be weighed not just in carats but also in credibility, and that a customer’s trust was often more valuable than any profit.
His father’s conservative approach to the business clashed with KC’s youthful restlessness. “I wanted to bring change, bring technology. They asked me why? I said, because the world is moving. So must we.”
KC wanted to step out of the by lanes of Chandni Chowk and go global. In 1974, at twenty-one, he broke new ground, arriving in Hong Kong that became his training ground. It taught him that business was as much about commerce as it was about understanding people’s mindset. KC soon proved his mettle with the company winning two National Awards for Outstanding Export Performance in the non-DTC category in India.
KC’s business acumen is the product of a journey through global markets and cultures. New York demanded boldness. Antwerp revealed the strength of tradition. In each city, he built networks and learned to adapt. “You should never put all your eggs in one basket,” he says. “If you spread your risks, even when one market faces trouble, you can survive.”
By 1982, seeking a base closer to India and a calmer pace, KC made Bangkok his home and founded Siam Shine Star. Starting with diamonds, he gradually expanded into real estate, investments, and agriculture, with a focus on promoting millets and organic products. “A business, like a tree, must grow many roots to survive the storms,” he reflects.
In Bangkok, his vision took shape. He introduced new technologies—from electronic scales to custom diamond-grading software—while building a global supply network that ensured fast, reliable access to certified natural diamonds. Through it all, the values of honesty, transparency, and integrity have remained his compass.
THE SPIRIT WITHIN
Long before the world wakes up, KC sits at his harmonium, fingers finding familiar notes. “When the noise in your head is set aside, you find space for the voice within,” he says.
His approach to spirituality is embedded in purity as the force and preaching as the essence. He practices what he preaches, leading devotional chants, and sharing mantras he believes could heal beyond the heart. “Chant sincerely and the blockages will clear. Like the hum of a mosquito, the vibration can travel through you and unlock what was stuck.”
His belief is that ‘dharma’ (the righteous path) should be lived, not just spoken about, and that community gatherings should both inspire and unite. As President of the International Vaish Federation—Thailand Chapter, he championed his community without noise. According to him, “A great man does, and an average man follows. The great man does not need to announce it.” Much like the calm in his tone, his philanthropy moves quietly — from funding education for underprivileged children and restoring temples, to disaster relief, and planting trees.
THE LEGACY
Today, KC and his wife, Deepshikha, enjoy the quiet life surrounded by spirituality and serenity. Well-earned, especially for Deepshikha, who comes from a family devoted to public service and is an Economics graduate. Her investment in her husband’s success and her children’s upbringing has paid off rich dividends for both of them.
Their sons, Kartik and Dinesh, were raised with no sense of entitlement, and lead with the same values as their parents taught them. Kartik runs the day-to-day show at Siam Shine Star as its Managing Director with his wife, Pallavi, also supporting him. Their son, Aarav Shri is his grandfather’s conversation buddy. Dinesh and his wife, Sunaina, live in Mumbai, where Dinesh, a chemical engineer, runs ‘Om Sri Lab’. A trained Chartered Accountant, Sunaina right now balances the home front with their two daughters Sharanya and Saiesha.
KC’s family is his personal repository of wealth, one that matters the most. From Delhi to Bangkok, and multiple adventures in between, KC has conquered the global village, but his spiritual and moral address remains Indian.
As KC traversed through countries and continents, establishing successful ventures, the one thing that has remained constant is his conscience. KC says, “Neeyat saaf toh manzil aasaan” (“When your intentions are pure, your goal will be easily achieved”).
To value the true worth of a diamond, jewellers look at the four Cs—Carat, Cut, Clarity, and Colour. KC Agrawal’s legacy lies in the four Cs of Character, Credibility, Compassion, and Community. In each he shines, making him a rare gem among men.
MAPPING THE INDIA WITHIN
Bharat: Then and Now
“We had very little growing up, but what we had was enough. We had community, honesty, and learned the value of each rupee. There was no concept of waste. We reused, repaired, and respected everything. Today’s India has pace and shine, but it must not forget the quiet strength that held its villages and towns together. The progress is welcome, but it should never eclipse the soul.”
Bharatiya Values that Travelled
“We were taught to respect our elders, maintain moral character, and live honestly. We were taught that one must live and let live. These lessons have travelled me across the world and are the reason for my success. I practice my dharma and live by it. Bhartiyata lives in me.”
Generations Abroad: A New Bharatiya Identity
“I forced nothing on my children. But I have led by example. I woke up on time, did my religious rituals, worked hard, and helped others expecting nothing in return. They observed, absorbed, and today I see the same integrity in how they raise their children. Values don’t need speeches-they need examples. When my grandchildren visit, I still follow the same habits, not to teach, but to live.”
Pride, Progress, and the Spirit Of Bharat
“India is definitely on the world map today. The younger generation is educated and a global citizen. We are modern yet grounded in our values, our culture, and our heritage. To see India do so well fills me with so much pride. Sometimes, I feel I should go back to my motherland.”
Dreams for the Youth and Future of Bharat
“I wish to see a Bharat where we have internal peace, ‘Sarva Dharam Samman Bhaava’ (respect for all religions). United in one sutra (thread), nothing can stop India from its rightful place in the world. The younger generation has a role to play too. In Manusmriti there is a ‘shloka’ that says that until you respect your parents, elders, and gurus, you will not get blessings. As long as the youth remember your core values and understand that money is not everything, they will be successful in life.”
BACK TO THE FUTURE – IN FIVE MOMENTS
Food Cravings
THEN
I enjoyed street food like ‘aloo chaat’, ‘dahi bhalle’, and ‘pani puri’ in Delhi. I also relished homemade pickles my aunt sent.
NOW
I live on simple, healthy vegetarian Indian meals with moderation and mindfulness.
Sport Spirit
THEN
I played cricket on the streets, ‘kho kho’, and hopscotch during school breaks.
NOW
I practice light gym workouts, swimming, golf, yoga, and morning walks to stay active.
Music Tastes
THEN
I grew up in the golden era of Bollywood listening to classic Hindi film songs by Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar.
NOW
Devotional songs, spiritual chants, and occasionally old melodies, still soothe my soul.
Holiday Life
THEN
Family trips to hill stations and pilgrimages in trains, enjoying home-cooked meals packed to the brim in steel tiffin boxes.
NOW
I travel less but cherish spiritual visits and quiet celebrations with family.
Leisure Habits
THEN
Oh we’d catch matinee films or read newspapers, books.
NOW
Evenings are spent in spiritual discourse, reciting the Ramayana, penning down my reflections.
AKA
KC Agarwal Siam Shine Star | Kailash Chand Agarwal Siam Shine Star | Siam Shine Star Founder KC Agarwal | Siam Shine Star CEO KC Agarwal
