Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad

Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad, popularly known as Lijjat, is an Indian women's
cooperative involved in manufacturing of various fast-moving consumer goods. The
organisation's main objective is empowerment of women by providing them employment
opportunities. Started in 1959 by seven women in Mumbai with a seed capital of only Rs.80
($15), it had an annual turnover of more than Rs. 800 crore (over $109 million) in 2018. It
provides employment to 43,000 (in 2018) women across the country. It is considered as one of
the most remarkable entrepreneurial initiatives by women that is identified with female
empowerment in India.

HOW IT STARTED ?
Lijjat was the brain child of seven Gujarati women from Bombay. They wanted to start a venture
to create a sustainable livelihood using the only skill they had i.e. cooking. The seven women
were Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat, Parvatiben Ramdas Thodani, Ujamben Narandas Kundalia,
Banuben. N. Tanna, Laguben Amritlar Gokani, Jayaben V. Vithalani, and chutadben amisha
gawade.
The women borrowed Rs 80 from Chhaganlal Karamsi Parekh, a member of the Servants of
India Society and a social worker. They took over a loss-making papad making venture by one
Laxmidasbhai, and bought the necessary ingredients and the basic infrastructure required to
manufacture papads. On 15 March 1959, they gathered on the terrace of their building and
started with the production of 4 packets of papads. Initially, the women were making two different
qualities of papads, to sell the inferior one at a cheaper rate.
Lijjat expanded as a cooperative system. Within three months there were about 25 women
making papads. Soon the women bought some equipment for the business, like utensils,
cupboards, stoves, etc. In the first year, the organisation's annual sales were Rs. 6196.[10] The
broken papads were distributed among neighbours.
During the first year, the women had to stop production for four months during the rainy season
as the rains would prevent the drying of the papads.[3] The next year, they solved the problem by
buying a cot and a stove. The papads were kept on the cot and the stove below the cot so that
the process of drying could take place in spite of the rains.[5]
The group got considerable publicity through word of mouth and articles in vernacular
newspapers. This publicity helped it increase its membership. By the second year of its
formation, 100 to 150 women had joined the group, and by the end of the third year it had more
than 300 members.
An attempt to start a branch in Malad suburb of Mumbai, in 1961, was unsuccessful.
In July 1966, Lijjat registered itself as a society under the Societies Registration Act 1860.
The first branch outside Maharashtra was established at Valod, Gujarat in 1968.[10] After tasting
tremendous success with their papads, Lijjat began producing other products like khakhra
(1974), masala (1976), vadi, wheat atta, and bakery products (1979). In the 1970s, Lijjat set up
flour mills (1975), printing division (1977) and polypropylene packing division (1978). The group
also initiated some unsuccessful ventures such as cottage leather (1979), matches (1979), and
agarbattis (incense sticks)H
In 1987, Lijjat purchased new premises at Kamal Apartments in Bandra, a suburb of Mumbai.
The registered office shifted to the Bandra with effect from July 1988.[6] In 1988, Lijjat entered the
soap market with Sasa detergent and soap.[15] Sasa had annual sales of Rs 500 million,
accounting for 17 percent of Lijjat's total turnover in 1998. In March 1996, the 50th branch of
Lijjat was inaugurated in Mumbai.
In the 1980s, Lijjat also started taking part in several trade fairs and exhibitions, which improved
its sales and made the brand name "Lijjat" well known among the people.[6] The advertising was
undertaken through the vernacular newspapers, television and radio. The institution sponsored
programs and gave away gifts for the winners of specific shows in the television.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Lijjat started attracting attention of foreign visitors and officials. Lijjat
started exporting its products with the help of merchant importers in the United Kingdom, the
United States, the Middle East, Singapore, the Netherlands Thailand, and other countries. Its
annual exports accounted for more than US$2.4 million in 2001.[10][20] As its popularity grew, Lijjat
started facing the problem of fake Lijjat papads being introduced in the market. In June 2001,
three persons were arrested in this connection, in Bihar.[3] Lijjat's website explains the
identification features of original Lijjat papads. Lijjat received the "Best Village Industries
Institution" award from KVIC for the period 1998–99 to 2000–01.[21] In 2002, the "Businesswoman
of the Year" award was given to "The Women Behind Lijjat Papad" at The Economic Times
Awards for Corporate Excellence. In 2002, Lijjat had a turnover of Rs 3 billion and exports worth
Rs. 100 million. It employed 42,000 people in 62 divisions all over the country.[5] The 62nd branch
became operational at Jammu and Kashmir in 2002, enrolling over 150 members.[10]
In 2003, Lijjat received the "Best Village Industry Institution".[21] It also received the PHDCCI
Brand Equity Award 2005.[23] Lijjat marked its 50th year of existence on 15 March 2009