50 years of poppadams & power

<i>A constant struggle, a ceaseless battle to bring success from inhospitable surroundings, is the price of all great achievements.</i> <br>

<b>- Orison Swett Marden</b> <br><br> Last week, while talking to my friend over dinner, I took a bite off ‘Lijjat Papad’ and nonchalantly said I had been a fervent fan of the particular crispy bread since childhood. Hearing this, my friend informed me about the details of the organisation behind the almost essential accompaniment to any Indian meal. <br><br> Half a century back, seven semi-illiterate women, with no special skills earned their independence through determination, by doing what they knew best– making papads; on March 15th, the organisation- Shri Mahila Griha Udhyog Lijjat Papad (SMGULP)- cooperative completed its 50th year of ‘independence’. <br><br> I used the term ‘independence’ here because recently we witnessed International Women’s Day celebrations on March 8th and what else but Lijjat’s tale of achievement can sketch a true picture of modern India’s empowered women. Their journey unfolds various decisive moments, struggles, hard work, success, failures and a passion for distinction. <br><br> Such a panorama only forced me to pick up my pen and put down my thoughts on their wonderful journey from rags to riches, with their trademark of simplicity and quality. The name itself speaks volumes: ‘Lijjat’ was derived from two words laziz i.e. taste and izzat i.e. character. <br><br> Lijjat Papad was started by seven Gujarati housewives on the terrace of a building in Lohana Niwas in Girgaum. Out of the seven, Jaswantiben who is 80 now, still sees the day and enjoys papad manufacturing. Started with a loan of Rs 80, the business is now well established and flourishing with an annual turnover of Rs 500 crore and generates self-employment for nearly 42,000 women across 72 countries. <br><br> These women leverage their basic skill and turn it into a weapon because they have faith in themselves, in each other and in their commitment to take the institution towards progress. Lijjat actually helps all those women, who are not encouraged to work outside their homes. <br><br> Every member- all women at Lijja t- work with a sense of pride. Moreover, this pride comes because all employees stick to the core values of the organisation. Lijjat ensures that the entire process runs smoothly, members earn a neat profit, agents get their due share and consumers get the assurance of quality at the best price in the market. <br><br> The entire cycle starts with an easy recruitment process. All those women who pledge to adopt the institution’s values and have respect for quality can become a member and co-owner of the organisation. All members of the institution have veto power. All decisions, major or minor, are based on consensus among members. Any single member’s objection can nullify a decision. Daily accounts are prepared and the profit (or loss, if any) is shared among all the members of that branch. <br><br> Problems regarding management are avoided through decentralisation although pricing of the products is done at the head office. Work is distributed among branches that ensure all activities are carried out within their own ambit. Testing for quality and packaging are done at every branch. <br><br> Currently, nearly 32% of the production of Lijjat Papad is exported, mainly to countries like US, UK, Middle East, Singapore, Hong Kong and Holland. Besides poppadam, this brand also manufactures spices, wheat flour, Khakras, soaps and detergents. <br><br> On International Women’s Day, several events are organised to debate the place of women in society and challenges they continue to face. NGOs oganise seminars or hold demonstrations in various parts of the world for women who are not granted their basic privileges, and continue to be dominated and suppressed in society. <br><br> But how can women uplift their status without losing their dignity? The answer is simple i.e. thorough self-help combined with determination and will power. And Lijjat Papad’s employees have proven these points very well. ‘A woman is best understood by another woman’ and Lijjat exemplifies the statement best. <br><br> It is a woman who gives life to a new one; it is she who brings up and nurtures a child to become another man or woman; it is she who fights all evils and still never takes in stride any defeat; it is she who has the power to create and destroy. Still, it is she who is treated badly; it is she who is blamed for every wrong in the household; it is she who is tortured and beaten to death in some parts of the world. This, when she gives us all her love and dedication to those in her life. Why should she suffer? So let’s be more human and treat her with the same amount of love, respect and dignity, which we all crave for. Let us not give her just one day to celebrate her woes instead dedicate all years of our life to her, the women of our life!!! – <br><br> She speaks strength<br> She speaks wisdom<br> She reflects passion<br> She inspires everyone<br> As SHE is a woman…..