Lijjat Papad

Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat papad popularly known as “Lijjat” is woman’s organization manufacturing different products such as Papad, Khakhra, Appalam, Masala, Vadi, Gehu Atta, Bakery Products, Chapati, SASA Detergent Powder, SASA Detergent Cake (Tikia), SASA Nilam Detergent Powder, SASA Liquid Detergent. It is an organization of the women, by the women and for the women.

The turning point of the institution was in 1966 when it was registered under the Bombay Public Trust act 1950 and also registered societies registration Act, 1860 and it’s recognized by Khadi & Village Industries Commission as a village industry.The objective of the institution is to provide employment to the ladies to enable them to earn decent and dignified livelihood. Any women who can render physical work in the institution without distinction of caste, creed and color and agrees to abide by the objective of the institution can become a member of the institution from the date on which she starts working. Lijjat has a Central Managing Committee, which consist of 21 members out of whom they have 6 elected Office Bearers i. e. President, Vice President, 2 Secretaries and 2 Treasurers.Besides Lijjat Papad the Institution has other products like Masala, Detergent Powder, Cakes & Chapaties.

At present it has 72 Branches & 27 Divisions and gives employment to about 42,000 sister members all over India with sales turnover of Rs. 650 crore which includes Rs. 30 crore from the Exports. The Institution, over the years, has paved the way for women to become self-reliant and self confident. Lijjat has provided them the right platform to improve their status in society. ? HISTORY It all began on 15th March 1959 which was a warm summer day.A majority of the women inhabitants of an old residential building in Girgaum (South Mumbai) were attending their usual domestic chores.

A group of seven gathered on the terrace of the building and started rolling the bait. A handful of social workers were also present. The gathering was over soon after rolling of 4 packets of Papads and taking a firm decision to continue making papads. This function added a new chapter in the history. Shri Mahila griha Udyog Lijjat Papad was launched. It was a humble beginning.As the ays went by, the additions to this initial group began increasing.

In those early days the path was not easy. The institution had its trials and tribulation. Faith and patience of the members were put to teat on several occasions. They had no money. Literally the Institution started from scratch, on borrowed sum of Rs. 80/- on the condition that it must earn and return Rs. 200/- within a stipulated time.

The Institution has opted for the goal of self reliance and self growth from the very beginning. As a matter of principle no monetary help was to be sought from any quarter.Even voluntarily offered for donations were not to be accepted. So work started on commercial footing, as a small scale venture. Difficulties and hurdles were there, but they were accepted by the members as test and trails of their convictions and they met them with a smile. What really helped the institution was excellent quality of papads, which has remained uniform from the very first day of its production. At no time the members have allowed it to deteriorate.

The principles, upon which the institution is based, have made Lijjat Papad a successful organization