Women and Entrepreneurship

Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad (SMGULP) Contd...

It was also recognized as a "village industry" by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).²⁴ In 1966, SMGULP was granted a working capital of Rs. 0.8 million by KVIC and was allowed certain tax exemptions. It was also registered under the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950, as a Public Trust. In 1966, SMGULP evolved into a formal organization and the member sisters adopted the first written constitution. The logo chosen read, "Symbol of Women's Strength". Only women could become members; men could not become members of the organization and did not have any ownership rights. Men working in SMGULP provided only functional support.

The first branch of SMGULP was set up in Valod, Gujarat, in May 1968. Whenever a new branch was established, a few member-sisters from the established branches stayed there for a while (they took turns doing so) and trained the new member-sisters who had joined the new branch. Once the new member-sisters had learnt how to run the branch and monitor its activities, the branch functioned as an independent entity. In this manner, branches were established in all states. And the first branch that was set up in any particular state of India helped the other branches that were later opened in that state. The central office in Mumbai had the overall responsibility for the functioning of all the branches. SMGULP's branches and divisions were spread across fifteen states of India. Mumbai itself had 17 branches.

Among the various divisions were the Sales, Export, Advertising, Printing and Polypropylene divisions. As the number of branches and divisions increased, SMGULP's sales also grew by leaps and bounds. The organization soon diversified into other allied areas that seemed feasible for a cottage industry. In 1988, the group diversified into detergent production. The detergents were sold under the brand name SASA.

Later, soap cakes and liquid soaps were also manufactured under the same brand name. SMGULP's detergent manufacturing business expanded greatly over time. SMGULP emphasized equality. All the members were considered equal and were referred to as sisters. All kinds of work were also given equal importance; no work was considered inferior or superior to any other. The women were also given the freedom to choose the work they liked best; be it preparing the dough, rolling papads or packaging.

Women and Entrepreneurship - Next Page >>>

24] The KVIC is a statutory body set up by the Government of India in 1957. It is involved in the development of Khadi (handloom cloth) and other village industries as part of rural development.

Case Details

Case Code : LDEN013
Themes: Corporate Social Responsibility, Woman Entrepreneurs
Case Length : 13 Pages
Period : -
Organization : Mahila Griha Udyog, Balaji Telefilms Limited, Biocon
Pub Date : 2003
Teaching Note : Available
Countries : India
Industry : Varied

Free Case Studies

Business Strategy
Finance
HRM
Insurance
IT and Systems
Marketing
Operations
Leadership
More Case Studies >>

Micro Case Studies

Business Environment
Business Ethics
Business Strategy
Human Resource Management
IT and Systems
Marketing
Operations
Micro Case Studies >>

Free Resources

Micro Case Studies
Free Case Studies
Articles
Interviews
Book Reviews
Glossary
Online Quiz
More Free Resources >>

Case Related Links

Best Selling Case Studies
Business Case Studies
Learning With Case Studies
Cases Used in Textbooks
Prize Winning Case Studies
More Case Studies >>

Case Studies and Management Resources