Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat

Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat was one of the founders of Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad, the women’s cooperative behind one of India’s best-known household brands. She was named for the Padma Shri in 2021 in the field of trade and industry, from Maharashtra ^[1].

Seven friends and four packets

Jaswantiben was born on 7 July 1930 ^[2]. In 1959 she and seven friends began making papad in Girgaum, Mumbai, with seed money of Rs 80 ^[2]. They were not out to build a business empire, only to add a little to their family incomes; at first they made just four packets, which they sold to a trader ^[2]. She had no business experience but plenty of courage and persistence ^[2]. Two mentors, Chhaganbapa and Dattanibapa, guided the group along the way ^[2].

A cooperative of owners

Demand grew and grew. By the time of the award the cooperative had a turnover of more than Rs 11,600 crore, around 45,000 women members and over 93 branches, and Lijjat papad was sold across India and exported to Britain, the United States, Singapore, Thailand and the Netherlands ^[2]. Jaswantiben treated the working women as co-owners, giving them a sense of ownership as well as an income ^[2].

In the early years she travelled widely to set up new centres and teach other women, sometimes staying away from home for two or three months, with her family’s support ^[2]. Her motto, in Gujarati, was that honest work always bears fruit ^[2].

She was named Businesswoman of the Year by the Economic Times in 2002 ^[2].

Jaswantiben Popat died in September 2023 ^[3].