Ahmedabad, 16 April 2021
Borrowing for 80 rupees was the beginning of Kari Lijjat Papad. It now has a turnover of Rs 800 crore. The 7 women who started the papad business were Gujaratis. Girgaon in Mumbai started with a five-storey Lohana Niwas.
For over 60 years, the Lijjat Papad brand and its made papad have found a place in people’s kitchens. There are many papad brands in the market. But talk and trust are delicious. He has not found any brand so far.
On 5 March 1959, Shree Mahila Griha Udyog laid the foundation of Lijjat Papad in the congested area of Mumbai. The main purpose of the business was to generate a steady source of income for itself, besides making food.
Jashwantiben Jamnadas Popat, Parvatiben Ramdas Thodani, Uzmaben Narayandas Kundalia, Banuben N Tana, Laguben Amritlal Gokani, Jaiben V Vithalani and Divyaben Lukka.
Women borrowed Rs 80 from Chhaganlal Karamsi Parekh, a member and social worker of Servants of India Society and started a business.
Laxmidas started the business with the help of his loss-making papad industry. The equipment required to make papad was purchased from Rs. On 15 March, work began on the roof of the building. Made 4 packets of papad on the first day.
A famous businessman started selling this papad to Bhuleshwar. In the beginning, these women decided that even if the organization was running in a loss, they would not take anything like financial help or donations from anyone.
Chhaganlal Parekh became his mentor. When they started working, women made two different types of papads. Chhaganlal advised never to compromise on quality. This work should be started as a business and a proper account should be maintained.
Within three months, 25 women joined the industry. In the first year, the organization sold papads worth Rs 6,196. The papads that were broken were distributed among the neighbors.
The business had to stop for some time due to rain when it started. But the following year the problem was overcome with the help of a bed and a stove. The papad was spread on the bed and it was dried by placing the stove under it.
Within two years, 100 to 150 women joined the industry. By the end of the third year, 300 members had joined the organization. By this time it was becoming very difficult for the seven women to keep all the members with papad making equipment on the living room and terrace. After this it was decided that the method of making papad was given to the members. So that he can prepare papad at home. The papad was brought back to the old place for packing.
There are currently 82 branches in 2021. Work starts early in the morning. The women hoard the finished product and go home with fresh raw materials.
The raw materials include the preparation of black pepper and cardamom seeds, then the process of making it powder after drying it.
Starting from Rs 80, this business has a turnover of Rs 800 crore. 43,000 women across the country are currently associated with the organization.
As of 2010, the organization had annual assets of Rs 290 million.