"Our objective is to maximize employment opportunities

for women through activities connected with village

industries, while, at the same time, not sacrificing basic
business principles and quality consciousness. We are a
full-fledged commercial, self-reliant organization and not
a charitable society. Any such benefits that occur are
incidental to our business."
- Vimalben M Pawale, Ex President, Sri Mahila Griha
Udyog Lijjat Papad (SMGULP)
From humble beginnings in a thickly populated locality of Mumbai in 1959, SMGULP has come
a long way. The organization gained recognition through its most famous product- Lijjat papad.

.  Lijjat was the brain child of seven semi-literate Gujarati housewives from Bombay (now Mumbai). It all
began on 15th march 1959, The early days were not easy. The institution has its trials and tribulation.
The faith and patience of the members were put to test on several occasion - they had no money . The
women borrowed Rs 80 from Chaganlal Karamsi Parekh, a member of the Servants of India
Society and a social worker[6].This loan was to be repaid within a year so they were under
tremendous pressure but by the end of the year they were able to reward themselves with half a
gram of gold bought with the profits made