Brief Information

Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad

'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 turning point of our Institution was in 1966 when it was registered under the Bombay Public Trusts Act 1950 and also registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 and received recognition by Khadi & Village Industries Commission as a village industry.

The objective of the Institution is to provide self-employment to women to enable them to earn decent and dignified livelihood.

Any women who can render physical work in this Institution without distinction of caste, creed and colour and agrees to abide by the objective of the Institution can become a member of the Institution from the date on which she starts working. Papad production work starts at early hours in the morning i.e. 4.30 a.m. We have mini bus facility at the branches which picks the members from the closest point of residence to the branch and back home.

Every branch is headed by a Sanchalika to see the production of the branch. We have a Central Managing Committee, which consist of 21 members out of, which we have 6 (Six) elected Office Bearers i.e. President, Vice - President, 2 (Two) Secretaries and 2 (Two) Treasurers..

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.

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.

Our exports are made through Merchant Exporters to various countries like U.S.A., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Middle East, Thailand, Singapore, Hongkong, netherland, Japan, Canada, Australia, South Africa and many other Countries.

'Lijjat' provides scholarships to the children of the sister members who pass out in 10th and 12th standard examinations every year so as to enable the Lady Members to encourage their children for education.

The Institution has never accepted nor it is ever going to accept any charity, donation, gift or grant from any quarter. On the contrary members donate collectively for good causes from time to time, whatever is there within their might such as construction of houses for Earthquake affected families of Chincholi-Jogan (Latur) and Bhujpur, Kutch etc. and providing financial aid to flood affected people in the country.

The Institution received an award from Khadi & Village Industries Commission as a "Best Village Industry" for the period 1998-1999 to 2000-2001.

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.

On 6th September 2002 our Institution has received the Economic Times Award of "Businesswomen of the Year 2001-02 for Corporate Excellence".

In January 2003 we received the award for 'Best Village Industries' at the hands of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee at New Delhi.

On 21st December 2005 our institution has received the 'Brand Equity Award' at the hands of Hon'ble President of India, Dr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam being presented by PHDCCI at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.

on 4th February 2011 Lijjat Papad was chosen for Power Branch 2010-2011 Award by the Indian consumer at New Delhi.

On 16th December 2011 Khambatta Lifetime Achievement Award for 2010 was conferred on Smt. Swati R. Paradkar, President of Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad by All India Food Processor's Association, New Delhi. The Award was presented by Shri Harish Rawat, Hon'ble Minister of State for Agriculture & Food Processing Industries Government of India at New Delhi.

On 21st April 2012 'Outstanding Service Organisation Award-2012' was conferred on Smt. Swati R. Paradkart, President of Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad by, by National Institution for Quality and Reliability (NIQR), Chennai. The Award was presented by His Excellency the Governor of Tamil Nadu, Dr. K. Rosaiah.

On 28th March 2013 National Industrial Award was conferred on Smt. Swati R. Paradkar which was received from the National Education & Human Resource Development Organisation. We also received Quality Brands India Award for 2013-15 from Quality Brand Times.

On 1st March 2014 'Lijjat' was conferred the National Award as 'Best Village Industries Institution for 2012-13' which was received by the President, Smt. Swati R. Paradkar at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi by the hands of Hon'ble MSME Minister Shri K.H. Muniyappa & Hon'ble Chairman of KVIC Shri Devendrakumar Desai.

On 17th November 2014 President of our Institution Smt. Swati R. Paradkar received the 'Entrepreneur Award 2014 from Hon'ble Union Minister for Rural Development, Shri Chaudhary Birender Singh at New Delhi.

On 20th February 2017 President of our Institution Smt. Swati R. Paradkar was awarded the Wockhardt Foundation Social Development Popular Award under the category 'Livelihood Facilitator of the Year' in recognition of contribution to Society in the field of Social Development activities with complete devotion and dedication. The Certificate of Honour was presented to our President by Wockhardt Foundation.

On 8th March 2017 Smt. Swati R. Paradkar, President of Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad was presented the 'Mahila Vikas Award 2016-17 by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. The Award was received by our President at the function held at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinager, Gujarat during the Swachh Shakti 2017 National Convention organised by the Government of India to celebrate International Women's Day 2017.

From 27th to 29th March 2017 in the Global Economic Summit 2017 which was organised by World Trade Centre, President of Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad, Smt. Swati R. Paradkar was presented the 'Global Economic Award' for outstanding contribution to Women Empowerment and Self-reliance by Mrs. Nora K. Terrado,Hon'ble Minister for Trade and Industry, Philippines.

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.

On 15th February 2018 our Institution was honoured with 'The Greatest Marketing Influencers Award 2018' for exemplary marketing leadership which has contributed to the growth of the Institution by World Federation of Marketing Professionals. The Award was presented to our President, Smt. Swati R. Paradkar by Dr. Jai Madaan, Renowned Astrologer & Numerologist at a funtion held at Taj Lands, Mumbai.

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.

On 18th March 2018 President, smt. Swati R. Paradkar was honoured by Yogrishi Swami Ramdevji Maharaj for Outstanding Contribution to Society in the filed of women empowerment and welfare at a function held at Solapur Maharashtra which was organised by Patanjali Yog Samitee, Bharat Swabhiman Trust, Haridwar.

On 12th February 2019 President of our Institution Smt. Swati R. Paradkar received the 'International Women Empowerment Summit Award 2019 (IWES 2019) at a function held at the Ashoka Hote, New Delhi. The Award was presented to Smt. Swati R. Paradkar by Hon'ble Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.

On 12th February 2019 our Institution received the Prestigious Brands of India 2019 award from Herald Global and Brand Advertising Research & Consulting (BARC) Asia at a function held at Mumbai. The Award was received by smt. Priyanka G. Redkar, Secretary and Smt. Namita N. Sakpal, Treasurer which was presented by Smt. Shweta Mehta renowned Fitness Athelte.

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.

On 18th June 2019 President of our Institution Smt. Swati R. Paradkar was conferred the 'Anita Parikh Empowerment of Women Award' for the year 2018-2019 by The Rotary Club of Mumbai at a function held at Taj Mahal, Mumbai. The Award was presented by Shri Vijay Kumar Jatia, President of Rotary Club, Mumbai.

The Rotary International’s ‘Vocational Excellence Award’ for the year 2021-2022 were conferred on our Institution at a function held at Mumbai on 12^th March 2022. The Award was conferred to our Institution to recognise its contribution in uplifting women by establishing and leading Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad for last 6 decades. The function was to honour Smt. Swati R. Paradkar, President of Lijja with the ‘Iconic Brand Award’ to recognise the growth of ‘Lijjat Papad’ brand since the last 63 years.

The Institution, over the years, has paved the way for women to become self-reliant and self-confident. Lijjat has provided them the right platform to improve their status in society.