Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad (Lijjat) Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad (Lijjat) is a cooperative established by Indian women at Mumbai that has developed a unique model for development and empowerment for low income female workers. Papad is a crispy-thin cracker or wafer that is a staple food in India. Made of the dough of black gram (vigna mungo; a bean that is indigenous to southern Asia), papad is usually fried or dry-heated and served as an accompaniment to a meal or as an appetizer or snack.

Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad (Lijjat) The objective of the Institution is to provide employment to the 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

Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad (Lijjat) Synthesis of three different concepts, namely : (1) The concept of Business - All its dealings are carried out on a sound and pragmatic footing - Production of quality goods and at reasonable prices. It has never and nor will it in the future, accept any charity, donation, gift or grant from any quarter. On the contrary, the member sisters donate collectively for good causes from time to time according to their capacity. (2) The concept of family - member sisters have adopted the concept of mutual family affection, concern and trust. All affairs of the institution are dealt in a manner similar to that of a family carrying out its own daily household chores. (3) The concept of Devotion - For the member sisters, employees and well-wishers, the institution is never merely a place to earn one's livelihood - It is a place of worship to devote one's energy not for his or her own benefits but for the benefit of all. In this institution work is worship. The institution is open for everybody who has faith in its basic concepts.

Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad (Lijjat) CORE PRINCIPLES i) mutual affection and concern (all employees have an equal status); ii) devotion (the workplace is treated not just as a place of employment but also one of reverence); and, iii) sarvodaya or collective ownership (also called trusteeship, a central idea of the historical Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi).

Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad (Lijjat) Each member at Lijjat is considered an equal and a co-owner of the cooperative whose opinions contribute to all business decisions. Each sister (receives 15 days of training and has to be over 18 years old) works approximately six hours a day and receives an average monthly wage – called Vanai – of between Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 3,000 (approximately US$ 35 and US$ 53) per month. Extra Vanai is paid on the occasion of an Indian cultural festival. The success of the organisation stems from the efforts of it's member sisters who have withstood several hardships with unshakable belief in 'the strength of a woman'.