Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad,
popularly known as Lijjat, is an Indian women workers
cooperative involved in manufacturing of various fast-moving consumer
goods. The organisation's main objective is to empower women by providing them
employment opportunities. Started in 1959 by seven Gujarati women in Mumbai
with a seed capital of only Rs. 80 (Rs. 6,800 in today's money after adjusting
for inflation), its annual turnover for the financial year 2018-19 was more
than Rs.1600 crore (over
$224 million). As of 2021, it provided employment to 45,000 women across
the country.
Lijjat
started out as a cottage industry in an urban area, but with time, it did spread
to rural areas. It is considered one of the most remarkable
entrepreneurial initiatives by women and is a fine example of female
empowerment in India. Due to standardization of its Papad manufacturing process,
Lijjat ensures that 4.8 Billion Papads made by 45,000 Lijjat sisters all over
India have similar taste.
History
Lijjat
was started by seven Gujrati women from Mumbai. The women lived in
Lohana Niwas, a group of five buildings in Girgaum. They wanted to start a
venture to create a sustainable livelihood using the only skill they had i.e.
cooking. The seven women were Jaswantben Jamnadas Popat, Parvatiben Ramdas
Thodani, Ujamben Narandas Kundalia, Banuben. N. Tanna, Laguben Amritlal Gokani,
Jayaben V. Vithalani, and Diwaliben Lukka.
The
women borrowed Rs 80 from Chaganlal Karamsi Parekh, who was a member of
the Servants of India Society and a social worker. To acquire the
necessary ingredients and the basic infrastructure to start manufacturing
papads, they took over a loss-making papad venture from one Laxmidas bhai.
On 15th March 1959, they gathered on the terrace of their building
and started with the production of 4 packets of papads. They began selling the
papads to a known merchant in Bhuleshwar. From the beginning, the women
had decided that they would not approach anyone for donations or help, even if
the organisation incurred losses.]
Chhaganlal
Parekh, popularly known as Chaganbapa, became their guide. Initially, the
women made two different types of papads; one being an inferior quality to sold
at a cheaper price. Chaganbapa advised them to make a standard papad and to
never compromise on quality. He emphasised to them the importance of running the
venture as a business enterprise and maintaining proper accounts.
The
group got considerable publicity through word of mouth and articles written
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 its third year, it had more than 300 members. By now, the
terrace of seven founders could no longer accommodate the members and the
ingredients, so they distributed the kneaded flour amongst the members who would
take it to their homes and make papads. The papads were then brought back
for weighing and packaging.
In
July 1966, Lijjat registered itself as a society. In the same month, on
Chaganbapa's recommendation, U N Dhebar, the then chairman of KVIC personally
inspected Lijjat. KVIC or Khadi Development and Village Industries
Development Commission is a statutory body set up by the Government of
India for the development of rural industries. In September 1966, KVIC
formally recognised Lijjat as a unit belonging to the "Processing of
cereals and pulses industry group" under the Khadi and Village Industries
Act. It was also recognised as a "village industry". In 1966, KVIC
granted it a working capital of Rs. 800,000 and allowed it certain tax
exemptions.
In
the 1980s and 1990s, Lijjat started attracting attention of foreign visitors
and officials. The Vice-President of Uganda, Dr Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe,
visited Lijjat's central office in January 1996, since she wanted to start a
similar institution in Uganda. 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.
Products
and divisions
After
the success of its papads, Lijjat began manufacturing several other products.
Their
product range includes
Papads (Fourteen
flavours, including Lasan, Moong, Mirch, Punjabi and Urad)
Khakra,
Appalam, Masala, Vadi, Wheat flour, Bakery products and Chappattis.
Lijjat
has several divisions and manufacturing units:
·
Flour Division (Vashi)
·
Masala Division and Quality Control Laboratory (Cotton Green)
·
Printing Division (Cotton Green)
·
Advertising Division, (Bandra)
Role
in women empowerment
The
growth of the Lijjat is often seen in the larger canvas of women and their
empowerment. The organization has undertaken various efforts to promote
literacy and computer education for member-sisters and their families. A
literacy campaign for sisters began through literacy classes at Girgaum as
early as June 1999. Later, the managing committee decided to start such
classes in all its branches. From 1980 onwards, Lijjat had started giving
Chhaganbapa Smruti Scholarships to the daughters of the member-sisters.
The
member-sisters used their organization as a medium to promote their and their
families' welfare. In their Valod center, they set up an educational and hobby
center for the rural women. Orientation courses in typing, cooking, sewing,
knitting and toy making as well as other courses like child welfare, first aid
and hygiene were taught. The first ever tarred road in Valod was built and
inaugurated in 1979 with the help of the Lijjat, Valod branch.
In
1979, Lijjat teamed up with to organize a seminar in Mumbai on "Child
Care and Mother Welfare", as part of the International Year of the Child
celebrations. In October 1984, Bhadraben Bhatt represented Lijjat at the UNESCO
sponsored international workshop on "The role of women in the assimilation
and spread of technological innovation" held at NITIE, Powai. Alkaben
Kalia represented Lijjat at the national level meeting on women convened by the
National Commission on Self Employed Women.
At
the behest of Mother Teresa, the member-sisters also took part in some
activities of Asha Dhan, an institution to care for destitute women.
Lijjat
member-sisters also tried to start a co-operative bank, but the effort was not
very successful.
Contribution
to social service UNICEF
On
several occasions, the Lijjat member-sisters have undertaken social
service activities such as distributing nutritious food for poor children,
donating money for conducting community marriage, instituting prize-money for spread
of primary education, undertaking blood donation drives, organizing health
camps, plantation drives and even making donations to Government bodies. In
1999, the Mumbai City felicitated Rukminiben B. Pawar, Lijjat President, for
being an outstanding woman in the field of social work.
Lijjat
undertook the rehabilitation of Chincholi (Jogan), the earthquake affected
village in the Latur district of Maharashtra. The institution
provided the finance and supervised the work of construction of fifty-eight
houses for the people of the village. Member-sisters donated money from their
daily vanai (wage) for this. After the 2001 Gujrat
Earthquake, all the branches of Lijjat gave a total donation of more
than ₹ 48 lakhs, including Rs 10 lakhs from the central office.
Lijjat built forty houses for the rehabilitation of the people of Bhujpur (Bhachu)
in Kutch District.
If
you find Lijjat’s story inspiring, let us know by liking and sharing it with as
many people as possible. Also follow our blog for many more such inspiring success
stories. Or you can click on the link below to join our WhatsApp Channel.
Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad,
popularly known as Lijjat, is an Indian women workers
cooperative involved in manufacturing of various fast-moving consumer
goods. The organisation's main objective is to empower women by providing them
employment opportunities. Started in 1959 by seven Gujarati women in Mumbai
with a seed capital of only Rs. 80 (Rs. 6,800 in today's money after adjusting
for inflation), its annual turnover for the financial year 2018-19 was more
than Rs.1600 crore (over
$224 million). As of 2021, it provided employment to 45,000 women across
the country.
Lijjat
started out as a cottage industry in an urban area, but with time, it did spread
to rural areas. It is considered one of the most remarkable
entrepreneurial initiatives by women and is a fine example of female
empowerment in India. Due to standardization of its Papad manufacturing process,
Lijjat ensures that 4.8 Billion Papads made by 45,000 Lijjat sisters all over
India have similar taste.
History
Lijjat
was started by seven Gujrati women from Mumbai. The women lived in
Lohana Niwas, a group of five buildings in Girgaum. They wanted to start a
venture to create a sustainable livelihood using the only skill they had i.e.
cooking. The seven women were Jaswantben Jamnadas Popat, Parvatiben Ramdas
Thodani, Ujamben Narandas Kundalia, Banuben. N. Tanna, Laguben Amritlal Gokani,
Jayaben V. Vithalani, and Diwaliben Lukka.
The
women borrowed Rs 80 from Chaganlal Karamsi Parekh, who was a member of
the Servants of India Society and a social worker. To acquire the
necessary ingredients and the basic infrastructure to start manufacturing
papads, they took over a loss-making papad venture from one Laxmidas bhai.
On 15th March 1959, they gathered on the terrace of their building
and started with the production of 4 packets of papads. They began selling the
papads to a known merchant in Bhuleshwar. From the beginning, the women
had decided that they would not approach anyone for donations or help, even if
the organisation incurred losses.]
Chhaganlal
Parekh, popularly known as Chaganbapa, became their guide. Initially, the
women made two different types of papads; one being an inferior quality to sold
at a cheaper price. Chaganbapa advised them to make a standard papad and to
never compromise on quality. He emphasised to them the importance of running the
venture as a business enterprise and maintaining proper accounts.
The
group got considerable publicity through word of mouth and articles written
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 its third year, it had more than 300 members. By now, the
terrace of seven founders could no longer accommodate the members and the
ingredients, so they distributed the kneaded flour amongst the members who would
take it to their homes and make papads. The papads were then brought back
for weighing and packaging.
In
July 1966, Lijjat registered itself as a society. In the same month, on
Chaganbapa's recommendation, U N Dhebar, the then chairman of KVIC personally
inspected Lijjat. KVIC or Khadi Development and Village Industries
Development Commission is a statutory body set up by the Government of
India for the development of rural industries. In September 1966, KVIC
formally recognised Lijjat as a unit belonging to the "Processing of
cereals and pulses industry group" under the Khadi and Village Industries
Act. It was also recognised as a "village industry". In 1966, KVIC
granted it a working capital of Rs. 800,000 and allowed it certain tax
exemptions.
In
the 1980s and 1990s, Lijjat started attracting attention of foreign visitors
and officials. The Vice-President of Uganda, Dr Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe,
visited Lijjat's central office in January 1996, since she wanted to start a
similar institution in Uganda. 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.
Products
and divisions
After
the success of its papads, Lijjat began manufacturing several other products.
Their
product range includes
Papads (Fourteen
flavours, including lasan, moong, mirch, Punjabi and urad)
Khakra,
Appalam, Masala, Vadi, Wheat flour, Bakery products and Chappattis.
Lijjat
has several divisions and manufacturing units:
·
Flour Division (Vashi)
·
Masala Division and Quality Control Laboratory (Cotton Green)
·
Printing Division (Cotton Green)
·
Advertising Division, (Bandra)
Role
in women empowerment
The
growth of the Lijjat is often seen in the larger canvas of women and their
empowerment. The organisation has undertaken various efforts to promote
literacy and computer education for member-sisters and their families. A
literacy campaign for sisters began through literacy classes at Girgaum as
early as June 1999. Later, the managing committee decided to start such
classes in all its branches. From 1980 onwards, Lijjat had started giving
Chhaganbapa Smruti Scholarships to the daughters of the member-sisters.
The
member-sisters used their organisation as a medium to promote their and their
families' welfare. In their Valod centre, they set up an educational and hobby
centre for the rural women. Orientation courses in typing, cooking, sewing,
knitting and toy making as well as other courses like child welfare, first aid
and hygiene were taught. The first ever tarred road in Valod was built and
inaugurated in 1979 with the help of the Lijjat, Valod branch.
In
1979, Lijjat teamed up with to organise a seminar in Mumbai on "Child
Care and Mother Welfare", as part of the International Year of the Child
celebrations. In October 1984, Bhadraben Bhatt represented Lijjat at the UNESCO
sponsored international workshop on "The role of women in the assimilation
and spread of technological innovation" held at NITIE, Powai. Alkaben
Kalia represented Lijjat at the national level meeting on women convened by the
National Commission on Self Employed Women.
At
the behest of Mother Teresa, the member-sisters also took part in some
activities of Asha Dhan, an institution to care for destitute women.
Lijjat
member-sisters also tried to start a co-operative bank, but the effort was not
very successful.
Contribution
to social service UNICEF
On
several occasions, the Lijjat member-sisters have undertaken social
service activities such as distributing nutritious food for poor children,
donating money for conducting community marriage, instituting prize-money for spread
of primary education, undertaking blood donation drives, organising health
camps, plantation drives and even making donations to Government bodies. In
1999, the Mumbai City felicitated Rukminiben B. Pawar, Lijjat President, for
being an outstanding woman in the field of social work.
Lijjat
undertook the rehabilitation of Chincholi (Jogan), the earthquake affected
village in the Latur district of Maharashtra. The institution
provided the finance and supervised the work of construction of fifty-eight
houses for the people of the village. Member-sisters donated money from their
daily vanai (wage) for this. After the 2001 Gujrat
Earthquake, all the branches of Lijjat gave a total donation of more
than ₹ 48 lakhs, including Rs 10 lakhs from the central office.
Lijjat built forty houses for the rehabilitation of the people of Bhujpur (Bhachu)
in Kutch District.
If you find Lijjat’s story inspiring, let us know by liking and sharing it with as many people as possible. You could also follow our blog for many more such inspiring success stories.
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