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Women in control : The Story of Lijjat Papad

History of Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad (SMGULP), popularly known as LIJJAT It is an Indian women's cooperative involved in manufacturing of various fast moving consumer goods. In March 1959, seven semi-literate women from Gujarat came together to create a source of employment with the skill they knew - cooking. They started out on the terrace of a large, old, residential building called Lohana Niwas in Girgaum in south MumbaiThe group used considerable publicity through word-of-mouth publicity and articles in vernacular newspapers. By the second year of its formation, 100 to 150 women joined the group, and by the end of the third year more than 300 women were rolling papads

Lijjat : Genesis of women empowerment in India Compulsory primary education for all sister members

Illiterate sisters realized the importance of education for their children, especially daughters.

Lijjat offers scholarships for sisters children

Sisters are taught that a literate woman can read or write a letter, maintain a bank account, pay bills, teach her children, assist her husband in his work, and live independently.

Any woman, irrespective of her religion, caste, or class, can become a member after signing a pledge of devotion, which is her assurance for earning

Any sister can apply for a loan from the organization without specifying the reasons giving her financial as well as social independence

Lower-middle-class women find it very comfortable to work in women owned organisationObjective: The vision and principles of SMGULP are based on the ideals of trusteeship.The basic objective is to Provide employment to the ladies to enable them to earn a decent & dignified livelihood. All the Profits/ Losses are borne by all the 42,000 sister members collectively.

The basic principles underlying the philosophy of the organization are;SMGULP is a voluntary organization. SMGULP never accepts charity or grants. SMGULP is like a family and the sisters run it as if they all belonged to the same family. SMGULP is like a revered place of worship.Organizational Structure

CULTURELijjat Patrika is published in several languagesNo retirement ageBecause of Lijjat's main motive of generating self-employment for women, no machinery is used at the production level, and everything is done manuallyThere are basically three pillars of the culture in Lijjat PapadThe concept of businessThe concept of familyThe concept of devotion

(1) The concept of business(2) The concept of family(3) The concept of Devotion. All these concept are completely and uniformly followed inthis institution. As a result ofthis synthesis, a peculiar Lijjat way of thinkinghas developed there in. The institution has adopted the concept of businessfrom the very beginning. All itsdealings are carried out on a sound, pragmatic andcommercial footing -Production of quality goodsand at reasonable prices. It hasnever and nor will it in the future, accept any charity, donation, gift or grant from any quarter. On the contrary, the member sisters donate collectively for good causes from time totime according to their capacity. Besides the concept of business, the institution along withall it's member sisters have adopted the concept of mutual family affection, concern and trust. Allaffairs of the institution are dealtin a manner similar to that of a family carrying out its own daily household chores. But the most important concept adopted by theinstitution is the concept of devotion.For the member sisters, employees and well wishers, the institution is never merely a placeto earn one's livelihood -It is a place of worship to devote one's energy not for his or her own benefits but for the benefit of all. In this institution work is worship. The institution is open for everybody who has faith in its basis concepts7

Success Story30 - 35 % production exported to countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, .Singapore, Hong Kong and Holland.Branches in Seventeen Indian StatesFrom a loan of Rs. 80 now annual sales exceeding Rs 8.1 BillionAwards:1998 - 99 to 2000-01 : "Best Village Industries Institution" by KVIC2002 : "Businesswoman of the Year" at The for Corporate Excellence2003 : "Best Village Industry Institution"2005 : PHDCCI Brand Equity Award 2005

Founder - Owner Jaswantiben PopatAwarded Business Woman of the Year by Economic Times

Reason for Success : What do you think ?

Novel Cause and Hard WorkReasons for Success Merging of ownership with membership

Consistent quality of the product : Created brand image

Innovative organisation - All religion prayer to break the ice

Transparency in operations and a non-hierarchical structure

Enhanced self - esteem - Does not accept donations, rather give donations

Professional but Informal work environmentCall each other sistersFrequent meetings and open interaction HRM of Lijjat PapadOrganisation by the women, of the women, for the women

In 2002, 42,000 people in 62 divisions

Sign pledge to become a member

Interaction through area meetings and All India Convention

Woman of any caste, creed, colour, who can render physical work can become a sister member

Co-operative or Professional Organisation?Minimum age should be 18 years

Training for new members is on-the-job for 15 days

Allotment of work decided by sister members by consensus

Payment, called vanai made straightaway; averagemonthly vanai for each sister member is Rs-2000 toRs.3000 for roughly 6 hours of work

For 1 kg. Papad rolled, Rs.70/- paid as vanai

During Festivals & special occasions, extra vanai is paid to the sistersReferencesEMPOWERING WOMEN IN URBAN INDIA: SHRI MAHILA GRIHA UDYOG LIJJAT PAPAD. Available: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTEMPOWERMENT/Resources/14652_Lijjat-web.pdf

Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shri_Mahila_Griha_Udyog_Lijjat_Papad

Things you dont know about lijjat papad. Available: http://www.slideshare.net/OnContract/things-you-didnt-know-about-lijjat-papad