Ujala - The Supreme Whitener

The story of Jyothi can be traced back to M P Ramchandran (MPR), an accountant in a chemical company in the suburbs of Andheri, Mumbai (Maharashtra). MPR had developed a formula for fabric whiteners in 1960 since he was not satisfied with the products available in the market at that time. For many years, he looked for an opportunity to market his formula (his whitener, unlike the blue powders available in the market, was a violet colored liquid that dissolved easily in water). In 1972, MPR set up a small factory in Guruvayoor in Kerala, with the help of one of his acquaintances at the chemical company. The first batch of whiteners, named Ujala, consisted of only 500 bottles, and was sold mostly to MPR's friends. These customers found the whitener to be very effective and came back again and again to buy more. MPR continued to manage his small venture along with his job for more than a decade. Finally, in 1983, he left his job to concentrate fully on the whitener business. Jyothi was thus born with a capital of Rs 5000 and just five employees. In an attempt to create a market for Ujala in Mumbai, MPR continued to work from Andheri, although the factory was located in Kerala. The initial days were hard, with no demand in sight. At one point of time, MPR had even decided to close down operations. An unexpected order of 1000 bottles from a small shopkeeper near Guruvayoor changed it all. Ujala never looked back again.