02/03/2021
Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat||Parvatiben Ramdas Thodani||Ujamben Narandas Kundalia||Banuben. N. Tanna||Laguben Amritlal Gokani||Jayaben V. Vithalani||Diwaliben Lukka
Let’s start with ‘Karram Kurram Kurram Karram’. Does it ring a bell ? Yes! Our favorite papad. Lijjat Papad. Lijjat papad was the brain child of seven Gujarati women ; Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat, Parvatiben Ramdas Thodani, Ujamben Narandas Kundalia, Banuben. N. Tanna, Laguben Amritlal Gokani, Jayaben V. Vithalani, and Diwaliben Lukka from Mumbai. The need to make a sustainable livelihood using the only skill– cooking made way to Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad.
This was in the 1950s. With a loan of Rs. 80, they bought the necessary ingredients and the basic infrastructure required to manufacture papads. And what resulted in was a historic company established and run by women who were Self Empowered, Determined and Dedicated.
The early days were not easy. The institution had its trials and tribulation and the faith and patience of the members were put to test on several occasion. Inspite of all the roadblocks, the Self-reliant founders never took any monetary help or donations.
Their courage and perseverance made the company grow from Rs. 80 – Rs. 800 crore.
This is the inspirational story of women entrepreneur who probably never made to Forbes or had any business degree or background. All they had was basic skills required to run any successful business.
