The Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad co-operative in India demonstrates how innovation rooted in culinary skills can transform women's lives, enabling them to achieve financial independence and community support.
**Empowering Women Through Culinary Tradition: The Lijjat Papad Story**
**Empowering Women Through Culinary Tradition: The Lijjat Papad Story**
A remarkable co-operative model in India illustrates the power of female entrepreneurship and tradition in driving economic independence.
In a bustling neighborhood in Delhi, a group of women clad in vibrant saris gathered outside a modest three-storey building on a chilly December morning. This building houses a remarkable social enterprise driven by women - Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad. Founded in 1959 by seven enterprising housewives in Mumbai, this cooperative has empowered over 45,000 women across India, generating an impressive annual turnover of 16 billion rupees ($186 million) while also exporting their beloved poppadoms to several countries, including the UK and the US.
Lakshmi, a 70-year-old manager at one of the Delhi centers, recounts how joining Lijjat changed the course of her life after she lost her husband. Despite her initial struggles, she has transformed into a leader, now guiding 150 other women who juggle home responsibilities while contributing to the cooperative’s success. "Lijjat is a temple for us. It helps us earn money and feed our families," says Lakshmi.
Daily, the women members board a bus provided by the cooperative to collect dough made from lentils and spices. Working from home, they craft the thin, round papads (or poppadoms), which are integral to Indian meals. Over the years, the efficiency of production has improved; what once took hours can now be accomplished in half an hour.
Historically, the backdrop of 1950s India presented immense challenges for women, but these trailblazers were determined to seize opportunities. Their journey began with an 80-rupee loan facilitated by social worker Chhaganlal Karamshi Parekh, enabling them to produce poppadoms. With perseverance and community support, their products eventually gained popularity, paving the way for other women to join not as workers but as co-owners, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and mutual respect. “We are all co-owners and have equal rights,” asserts Swati Paradkar, the current president of the cooperative.
In 1966, the cooperative took the monumental step of branding their poppadoms. As a nod to their Gujarati roots, the name "Lijjat," which translates to 'taste,' was selected from community submissions, solidifying their identity in the competitive market. This cooperative model has not only generated sustainable livelihoods for generations of women but has also instilled a profound sense of self-worth.
Lakshmi proudly reminisces about her journey, saying, "Working here, I have found not just an income but respect." The Lijjat Papad cooperative stands as a shining example of how women's empowerment through traditional skills can forge pathways to financial independence and strength within communities.
Lakshmi, a 70-year-old manager at one of the Delhi centers, recounts how joining Lijjat changed the course of her life after she lost her husband. Despite her initial struggles, she has transformed into a leader, now guiding 150 other women who juggle home responsibilities while contributing to the cooperative’s success. "Lijjat is a temple for us. It helps us earn money and feed our families," says Lakshmi.
Daily, the women members board a bus provided by the cooperative to collect dough made from lentils and spices. Working from home, they craft the thin, round papads (or poppadoms), which are integral to Indian meals. Over the years, the efficiency of production has improved; what once took hours can now be accomplished in half an hour.
Historically, the backdrop of 1950s India presented immense challenges for women, but these trailblazers were determined to seize opportunities. Their journey began with an 80-rupee loan facilitated by social worker Chhaganlal Karamshi Parekh, enabling them to produce poppadoms. With perseverance and community support, their products eventually gained popularity, paving the way for other women to join not as workers but as co-owners, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and mutual respect. “We are all co-owners and have equal rights,” asserts Swati Paradkar, the current president of the cooperative.
In 1966, the cooperative took the monumental step of branding their poppadoms. As a nod to their Gujarati roots, the name "Lijjat," which translates to 'taste,' was selected from community submissions, solidifying their identity in the competitive market. This cooperative model has not only generated sustainable livelihoods for generations of women but has also instilled a profound sense of self-worth.
Lakshmi proudly reminisces about her journey, saying, "Working here, I have found not just an income but respect." The Lijjat Papad cooperative stands as a shining example of how women's empowerment through traditional skills can forge pathways to financial independence and strength within communities.
