SiliconIndia Women Summit 2009 Key Note Address by Chandra Prabhakar

1. SiliconIndia Women Summit 2009 Key Note Address by Chandra Prabhakar

2. What are we today ? We are a successful professional We are a successful home maker We are a successful daughter We are a successful wife We are a successful mother We are a successful daughter – in – law So are we a super woman…..? Is that what we want to be?

3. We need to overcome…. • Dependence on others • Lack of self confidence • Indecisiveness • Lack of self pride • Giving higher priority to other’s needs than ours!

4. And we have to think ….. • We are the WOman of the family ! • We are as strong as they are ! • We are as intelligent as they are! • We have as strong an IQ as they have ! • We are as capable as they are ! • We are as confident as they are ! • We are no way lesser than them !

5. Case Study – Lijjat Papad

6. Objective • Generating employment for women • Making women independent • Empowering women

7. The Start…. • Brain child of seven semi-literate Gujarati housewives from Mumbai • Started the activities by borrowing Rs. 80 • Took over a loss-making papad venture and bought the necessary ingredients and the basic infrastructure required to manufacture papads • On March 15, 1959, they gathered on the terrace of their building and started with the production of 4 packets of Papads. • They started selling the papads to a known merchant in Bhuleshwar • Within three months there were about 25 women making papads • In the first year, the organization's annual sales were Rs. 6,196

8. Tough Times….. • The papads were kept on the cot and the stove below the cot so that the process of drying could take place in spite of the rains • Publicity through word of mouth and articles in vernacular newspapers. • Publiciity helped it increase its membership • By end of second year 100 to 150 women had joined the group • By end of the third year it had 300+ members

9. Expansion • Lijjat began producing other products like masala , wheat atta, bakery products, etc. • In 1970s, set up flour mills, printing division and packing division • The group also initiated some unsuccessful ventures such as cottage leather, matches, and agarbattis • In 1987, Lijjat purchased new premises at Kamal Apartments in Bandra,Mumbai

10. Expansion… • In 1988, entered the soap market with Sasa detergent and soap • Sasa had annual sales of Rs 500 million, accounting for 17 percent of Lijjat's total turnover in 1998 • Lijjat started exporting its products with the help of merchant importers in the United Kingdom, the United States, the Middle East, Singapore, the Netherlands Thailand, and other countries • Annual exports accounted for more than US$2.4 million in 2001

11. Sharing of success…. • Profits and losses are shared equally among the members of a given branch

12. Current status • Lijjat is more than just a household name for 'papad' • Started with a modest loan of Rs 80, the cooperative has annual sales of Rs.300+ crores

13. Some Award & Recognitions.. • "Best Village Industries Institution" award for the period 1998-99 to 2000-01 • "Businesswoman of the Year" award - The Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence in 2002 • "Best Village Industry Institution“ in 2003

14. THANK YOU