Padma Sri Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat.

The remarkable story of Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat, the founder of Lijjat papad will inspire many entrepreneurs. At a time no one talked about enterprise, Popat and her team of women not just created a brilliant business and a brand, they also create employment for women. 91-year-old Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat has been awarded the Padma Sri award by the country this year.

Popat's capital investment was just Rs.80/-. This too was borrowed from a social worker. Lijjat Papads became a household name. Not just that when people went to the market and asked for papads, they would say Lijjat papad no matter which brand.

The business was initially set up in Bombay's Girgaum area. The seven other women who helped Popat begin the business are Parvatiben Ramdas Thodani, Ujamben Narandas Kundlia, Banuben Tanna, Laguben Amritlal Gokani and Jayaben Vithalani.

Gradually, seven became hundreds and currently, thousands of women are working in this huge industry. Along this successful journey, Popat trained and supported many women under her to achieve financial independence.

All the women including Popat used to make the papadson their house terrace. They had sold only four packets of papad to a businessman initially. 

Popat transformed a small home into a large cottage industry over the years. Today, Lijjat papads has over 60 branches and employs around 42,000 women.

Currently, the papad is sold all over the country as well as exported to other countries including England, the USA, Singapore, Thailand and the Netherlands.

Popat did not have any knowledge about running a business when she started. But she gathered up courage and perseverance to make a profit out of her business. Further, with hard work, her business grew so much that her papad brand is now a popular household name all over the country.

This women-centric business now has a turnover of over Rs.800 crores. But what is more significant is that it employs so many rural women who are illiterate but skilled. Now that's the real Women Power and not the rant of the pseudo feminists.

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle past 6, the chores and was ready by 10. It was a quiet Sunday.

Got the 'rtpcr' certificate on my what'sapp, courtesy Sajish. Everything clear for the journey.