It was an inspiring moment for entrepreneurs when a wheel-chair bound 91-year-old lady received the prestigious Padma Shri award from the President of India. Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat was felicitated by the President for her distinguished work in the Trade and Industry category. She is one of the founders of Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad, a women’s cooperative. She is the only living founder member now.
Lijjat or Tasty papads
Jaswantiben and her six friends started their new venture using a sum of Rs 80. In 1959, they convened a meeting on a terrace in Girgaum, Maharashtra, and started making papads with the 80 rupees they borrowed. In Gujarati, Lijjat means ‘tasty’. Today, the Lijjat brand is a Rs 1,600 crore-worth business. Lijjat has 81 branches across the country employing over 45,000 women. All of them are considered co-owners in the enterprise.
People may not recognise the name Jaswantiben, but it is unlikely that they would be unfamiliar with Lijjat Papad. The brand’s popular television advertisement in the ’90s and the taste of papad still linger in people’s minds. And, that is the USP that transformed Lijjat into a corporate business.
Inspirational tale
Jaswantiben, who didn’t know the basics of business, began her journey as an entrepreneur to contribute towards her family’s income. Her hard work and courage allowed her to start this venture. “Making papads does not require education, which is why we started Lijjat,” Jaswantiben said in an interview.
The group first made a batch of four packets of papads, which were sold to a businessman. Soon, the number of group members grew from seven to 25 and the group was later registered as Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad. In 1962, it was renamed Lijjat Papad. The papads are sold in India and exported to the US, Singapore, the UK, Thailand and Netherlands. Not only papad, but Lijjat also makes atta, masalas, chapatis and detergents. The organisation has also had its share of failures such as cottage leather, match sticks and incense sticks businesses that eventually got closed.
“The credit of Lijjat Papad goes to every woman working here. This recognition is the fruit of their hard work”, Jaswantiben said after receiving the Padma Shri award. Lijjat Papad believes in the principle of self-reliance and does not accept any donations or contributions. To ensure members’ job security, Lijjat does not use machines. Till now, it rolls the papads using hands. The company makes over 4.5 billion papads each year. Every woman is given an equal share of the profits.
The story of Lijjat Papad is one of the inspirational tales of women’s empowerment. Not only did Jaswantiben’s company gain her prestigious award, but it also encouraged the entire women entrepreneurs.
