Amazing story of Lijjat papad

Hello friends, today we are going to read about one of the successful and old companies in India. you will surprise to know that there are thousands of owners of this company. and the fact is that most are uneducated, belong to a poor family and all are women only. the company is not other then lijjat papad.

Hello friends, today we are going to read about one of the successful and old companies in India. you will surprise to know that there are thousands of owners of this company. and the fact is that most are uneducated, belong to a poor family and all are women only. the company is not other then lijjat papad.

This is a very interesting and motivating story. Today you will know-how a small group of 7 women started the business and today there are more than 45000 women with lijjat papad. This company has achieved many awards.


You may herd the name of lijjat papad or purchased it. This company is very conscious of advertising, marketing, and branding their product. Almost every adult in India knows about lijjat papad. Also, there are many facts and tricks with this story.


Do not miss this story. This business method will blow your mind and you will learn a lot with this story. So the story begins on 15th March 1959.

15th March 1959, south Mumbai (making first lijjat papad)

A small group of 7 women is going to start a grand business about which nobody can think. On this date, this group of 7 women was sitting on the roof of the building located in south Mumbai. They spent 80 rupees to make 1 kg of papad. By selling this they achieved a profit of 50 paise (half of 1 rupee). They were very happy and feeling motivated.


And then the next day they made 2 kg of papad and earned 1 rupee. This achievement of 1 rupee was spread like a fire. So many women wanted to join them.

Growing of lijjat papad

From the beginning, they decided not to make a single owner. All the women will be the owner. Which we can say cooperative movement. This means that if there will be profit all will gain or if loss all will suffer. More and more ladies wanted to join this movement.

How lijjat was named?

After a few years, they called an astrologer to make a brand name for there product. The astrologer gave the first letter ‘ li ‘ so, the name decided as lijjat papad. In Gujrati language lijjat means tasty.


These women not interested or made barriers in terms of cast basis. They welcomed all the women whoever want to join can join but only women. This business model does not require educated technical skills or any managing skilled women. This business needs only the cooking skill of every woman. This company of papad manufacturing became the best place to earn by a woman. Women who have lost their husband, or lives alone, and they did not have anyone in their family who can earn for them and their family. Also, women who have a family but their income is very low of nothing.

Lijjat papad now became the god gift for them. They can work at home for the company and manage their home easily. Many lijjat women have placed their children in IIT or AIIMS by working with lijjat only. This is all by working 4-5 hours a day for the company.

Working model of making Lijjat papad

Dough kneading center

Dough kneading is done at the center of the area in a very large amount. There are many centers all over India. This Dough is distributed among all the women who came to the center.

Also, they have their own bus which is used to pick all the women from their homes to drop at the center. And when the work completed the bus drops them at home again.

Distributing kneaded dough

After all the women arrive at the center there are different counters. First, all the women submit there rolled papad at the counter made on the previous day. Second, collects the kneaded dough after proper packaging and weighting of every piece of the dough. Also, these women can collect their money from rolled papad submitted. Whether collect each and every day or monthly or when you need it.

Rolling papad

After collecting dough all the women sits on the bus and the bus drops them at their homes. Then all the lijjat women roll the papads at there home and at next day this same cycle starts.

The entrance of the women in lijjat sister

Whenever any women come to join the company. The center gives her proper training and after that, they provide an aluminum rolling board that maintains the same thickness, size, shape, and weight of every papad. Lijjat papad is expanded in around 17 states of India with 82 branches. Where around 45000 ladies are working.


Also, you will surprise to know that almost 4.8 billion of papad is made in India. After that, the test of every papad is the same. This shows the proper working of lijjat women.


The hard work of these 45000 women working in lijjat has achieved a lot. Lijjat papad is exported for the price value of 80 crore rupees. And to expand more this company launched more products according to the demand in the Indian economy like soap, spices, chili powder, detergent, and more.


The reach of exporting to the other countries is due to there strictness in maintaining the quality of their products. That’s why they do not compromise the quality of the raw material. This company uses to purchase ‘hing’ (A spice) from Afghanistan.


Lijjat papad is completely handled by women’s handwork and whenever the company needs to increase the business they invited more women instead of purchasing machines.


Motivating women to extra work for the lijjat company is achieved by making each and every woman the owner of the company. This makes the women feel that ‘This company belongs to me and I belong to this company.’ and she wants to work more for the company.


Also, conflicts are avoided by the company due to the policy of 0% Gossiping. This means that no one can gossip whoever wants to say something should be speaking in a loud voice. So nothing will be hidden and nothing there will remain for conflicts.

Co-founder of lijjat papad

Jaswantiben Popat the Co-Founder of lijjat. If she wants she can work for her profit maximization but she wants to give confidence and self-dependent to all the women who know only to cook in the kitchen. Because of her many poor women are now able to admit their children to schools and colleges.


Maintaining a strong finance condition


This company has always maintained a strong financial condition. They always make an instant cash payment on every purchase of raw material from the supplier. Also, they never give their finished goods on credit to the retailers and wholesalers. This helps to maintain its cash flow positive.


Maintaining the quality of lijjat papad


As we know that every papad is made by hands and at home. So there can be chances of losing the quality of the product. That’s why a selected team takes daily rounds at the alternative homes of the lijjat women who use to make papads for the company. To check the method of making papad, checking the cleanliness of the area where papads are rolled and dried, and to check the nails and condition of the kitchen. So that quality and healthy papads can be made for the company. Also, this is one of the other factors which maintains the test of papad sold anywhere by this company.


This company is really appreciable and respectful. It is the lesson to every business firm that how we can make the employees motivated and maintain equity between them. This is very important because the whole firm is dependent on the employees and workforce of the firm.


This company has never used machines means less electricity consumption and zero pollution. Lijjat is not only ideal for dependent women also for saving the environment. Lijjat company never accepted any fund as a charity in its history but this company has provided charity funds to many NGOs and during the calamities in India.


Hope this story motivates and teaches you something related to your life. I really inspired by this company who not needs any specialist only the household women.