It has its own flour mill, dal mill and polypropylene division, as well as a printing press which brings out a monthly newsletter named Lijjat Patrika. Interestingly, the group does not accept a penny by way of donation or grant. Lijjat has achieved an annual sales turnover of Rs 112 crore. More importantly, it has transformed the lives and outlook of its members, most of whom are women from the lower income group. The men provide only "functional support". It conducts various welfare programmes for its 40,000 `sister-members' all over the country. Each of them is part-owner of the organisation and shares the profit and loss.

In June, Lijjat started a literacy programmenamed `Akshardeep' for its members in Bhubaneswar. The campaign is fast gaining ground in other cities too. Jyoti Naik, president, Lijjat, says, "In Mumbai, the literacy classes began at our Girgaum centre, and their success prompted us to extend the scheme to our Wadala, Bandra and Borivli branches. Our next attempt will shortly take off at Kandivli. More than 200 sister-members avail of this facility at every centre, and at Wadala no less than 500 women have enrolled."

She continues, "The aim is to spread the light. When you teach a man, you teach one individual. But I firmly believe that a woman translates her education into the welfare of the entire family."

This despite the fact that classes are conducted at the unearthly hour of 5.30 am, which is when the women come to collect the raw material to make papads. Nagesh Dhavde, the editor of Lijjat Patrika, says, "We follow the each-one-teach-one system. Those who are literate teach those who cannot read and write. Of course, every centre also employs ateacher and a helper. The teacher is paid Rs 1,500 per month and the helper gets about Rs 1,200." The government's literacy scheme provides free slates and notebooks.

"The medium of instruction in Mumbai is essentially Marathi because most members are part of the local Maharashtrian community. There are a few Gujaratis, though, for whom special arrangements will soon be made. Those women who pass Class VII are being taught the rudiments of English. In fact, in the month since the programme has started they have already picked up the alphabet," Nagesh says.

Toppers of the senior classes are allowed to enrol for the distance education scheme offered by Mumbai's SNDT University. Lijjat provides guidance on the course each member is best suited to take up. Since the students are not part of a formal school set-up, the examinations they undertake are unconventional, too. Nagesh explains, "There are three parts to the book they study in a particular subject. Upon the completion of these three parts, they aretested by a government examiner and then awarded a certificate of merit. In fact, we at Lijjat are thinking of handing out a similar merit certificate."

Around seven months ago, Lijjat began to impart free computer training to the daughters of its members in collaboration with computer institute Zed Point. The only condition was that the girls should have cleared their SSC examination. As expected, the response was good, and an estimated 65 girls have already completed their training. Those sister-members who pass the SSC examination under Lijjat's literacy scheme will also be eligible to train.

Among the other welfare schemes initiated by Lijjat for its employees (they are careful never to refer to them as such) are loans for housing and other requirements. "Actually, we do not even ask them what they need the money for. Lijjat has a policy of giving financial assistance to any member who requires it," Nagesh says.

In case the women are unable to pay back in time, a small amount is deducted from theirdaily earnings, with their consent. The organisation's commitment to social welfare was further proved when it constructed homes for the residents of a village devastated by the infamous Maharashtra earthquake of 1993. Lijjat adopted Chincholi Jogan in Latur district and having rebuilt the village, dedicated it to its residents on June 10 last. Lijjat members even donated part of their earnings towards this effort. All this apart from providing unskilled women a respectable and honest livelihood.