The committee often makes surprise visits to various branches to assure that production conditions are hygienic. [11] When a new branch of Lijjat opens, a neighbouring Lijjat branch helps it by guiding and training new members. In addition, Lijjat ran a number of operations across India (both in rural and urban areas) and the neighboring region – some of the cooperative’s raw materials (such as dal or asofoetida, a perennial herb) are procured from other countries including the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

On 3rd July 2017 a Documentary film on 'LIJJAT' was telecasted by National Geographic Channel at 9.00 p.m. The film presented an Inspiring Story of Passion, Hope & Enormity of Lijjat Papad which has become a catalyst of Women's Empowerment. The film was shown in the series 'India's Mega Kitchens' telecast on its world wide channel. To make papad in the traditional way, women across India have for generations kneaded and rolled the dough by hand (often as a communal activity) into a thin, round wafer. Thereafter, the wafer is seasoned and dried (customarily under the sun) before deep frying or roasting on an open fire stove. Modern methods may use a microwave oven instead for heating the wafer. But do you know what? When these women had their first board meeting, they established the fact that the primary goal of their business wouldn’t be to make money, but to empower women from the smallest households in the country, and to provide them with the livelihood to nurture their families.

Lijjat Papad: Awards and Achievements

Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad' is a women's organisation of the women, by the women and for the women. It was started on 15th March 1959 with 7 lady members with a borrowed sum of Rs. 80/- at Girgaum in Mumbai. The amazing Lijjat Papad story: from Rs 80 to Rs 800 crore". Yahoo Finance. 4 September 2017 . Retrieved 2 October 2018.

On 19th March 2019 President of our Institution Smt. Swati R. Paradkar received the Prestigious Social Work Excellence Award-2019 conferred by the University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya. The cooperative also organizes a number of community projects for its employees including preventative healthcare programs and classes for practical skills training such as typing, cooking, sewing, knitting and toy making.The client would shoot down the idea. He was totally apprehensive of the idea saying, " Kya bakwaas! Do rabbits eat Papad?" Apart from its consumers, the brand has left an everlasting mark as a proud swadeshi company that has empowered thousands of lives. This papad brand has successfully managed to be a silent yet integral part of everyone’s life in more ways than one.

Besides Lijjat Papad the Institution has other products like Masala, Gehu Atta, Chapaties, Appalam, Detergent Powder & Laundry Soap and Liquid Soap. At present it has 83 Branches & 27 Divisions in 16 states of the country and gives self-employment to about 45,000 sister members all over India. PHDCCI Awards for Excellence: 2005". Archived from the original on 8 October 2007 . Retrieved 4 February 2007.

In the same period, the organization successfully passed an official inspection of its operations and adopted its first written constitution. In addition to instituting quality in its production processes, the cooperative has branded itself within the niche market of enterprises that are run by women for the empowerment of women. As a result, Lijjat prioritizes the financial and social welfare of a sector of producers that have traditionally been at the margins of the Indian economy – low income but skilled female workers. On 6th March 2018 President of our Institution, Smt. Swati R. Paradkar was conferred the 'Best women Entrepreneur Award by the Hon'ble Deputy Chairman of Telangana Legislative Council - Shri Nethi Vidyasagar, at a function held at Hyderabad on the occasion of International Women's Day to recognise her exemplary work towards Women's Welfare and Employment. Pathak, Ramnarayan Nagardas, Punyashlok Chhaganbapa, translated into English by Prof.V.T.Yardi, Published by Shri Mahila Griha Udyag Lijjat Papad, Jan. 1980, p.114-117 In 2002, Lijjat had a turnover of Rs 3 billion and exports worth Rs. 100 million. It employed 42,000 people in 62 divisions all over the country.(2002) [6] The 62nd branch became operational at Jammu and Kashmir in 2002, enrolling over 150 members. [11]

On 13th and 18th August 2002 a documentary film on 'Lijjat' featured on BBC World Channel in its programme 'Business Bizarre' covering the detail working of our Institution. Almost 62 years later, the venture that began with seven women has now turned into India’s oldest all-female cooperative that employs close to 45,000 women. On the first day of business, the women earned eight annas by selling one kilogram of papad. Thereon, their market expanded slowly but steadily. A plan to support their households with a stable income grew into an unmatchable business idea. Jaswantiben says that they sold one kilo on the first day and earned eight annas. She tells National Geographic, “Next day two kilos fetched a rupee. Women in our locality found it profitable and through word of mouth, we started building a team.” This is what you call “Collective Ownership”, where every employee owns a small part of the company, such that the profits and losses are shared by every single person in the organization. So regardless of your age, caste, religion or hierarchy, you would still own a part of the business.

Lijjat Papad: Organization Structure

The income or loss as the case may be of the branch is borne by the sister members of that branch by increasing or decreasing their rolling charges accordingly. The credit for rapid progress and success of the Institution goes to the constant vigilance on the part of sister members maintaining the excellent quality of Lijjat Papad with their hard work.