There are three types of people in the world. One is lavish as he/she loves to spend money just like that and the other one being good at savings by developing a strong liking for saving money from time to time and the final one in the list is being able to convert the small amount of money to a large sum.
Obviously, the people with the best money conversion rate are entrepreneurs. From 80 rupees to 800 crores, the inspirational story of Lijjat is one that needs to be told. The story is truly inspiring.
Not many people in this world would convert rupees to crores Let’s see how Lijjat’s venture started off from scratch to make a steep bounce in the world. The journey kicked off in late 1950s when 7 Gujarati women (Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat, Parvatiben Ramdas Thodani, Ujamben Narandas Kundalia, Banuben. N. Tanna, Laguben Amritlar Gokani, Jayaben V. Vithalani, and anonymous woman) decided to make some papads as they had some free time after completing household works in a bid to support their families financially.
Initially, they borrowed Rs 80 from a social worker to start the work. After expansion, the women count increased and Lijjat is still inspiring Indian women to come out of their homes and work.
Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad organisation announced its arrival in 1959 and later the name ‘Lijjat’ was preferred which means it’s ‘tasty’ in Gujarat. Gujaratis are known for the knack of making money and these women had the skill of making delicious food which helped them to feed people of nearby areas in the earlier days.
They started off with papad alone. But now Lijjat manufactures several other products such as appalam, wheat flour, masalas, detergent powders, liquid detergents and detergent cakes. The workers share a great deal of camaraderie among others and even the salary that they earned is a good amount. Even the Sales agents are given some good commission and retailer margin is also good.
In case you don’t know what is Lijjat:
Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad, famously known as Lijjat, is an Indian women’s cooperative focusses in the manufacturing of several fast-moving consumer goods. The organisation’s main motive is the empowerment of women by providing them with employment opportunities. The strength is not the same as before as it is increasing.
Today, over 43,000 women in India work under Lijjat in as many as 81 branches with a staggering net worth of more than Rs 800 crore. It is one of the world’s oldest co-operatives to support women by providing employment opportunities.