Jyoti Naik is one of the pioneers of the co-operative movement in India. She is the former President of Lijjat Papad, a household name in India. Lijjat Papad is a leading poppadum brand in India which was started in the year 1959, today boasts revenue of over $100 million and employees over 42,000. It is headquartered in Mumbai and has 67 branches in India.
Jyoti grew up in a family of four brothers and sisters and she was eldest among them. She got associated with Lijjat papad and started rolling poppadum’s at the age of twelve in 1971. She got additional work in Lijjat through her deputation into the packaging section. Despite the sudden demise of her mother 1976, she continued with the organisation and managed her four siblings.. Jyoti worked in various functions in different branches of Lijjat and was made Sanchalika (Branch Manager) in 1981 and editor of Lijjat Patrika their newsletter. She became Vice President in 1989 and President in 1999. Jyoti helped to build the sustainable business model and employed a lot of village women. During her tenure, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission of India have conferred the Best Village Industry award on Lijjat Papad from the period 1998-99 to 2000-01. As per her, “Lijjat has offered a platform for women to become economically independent, and thereby improving their status in society. I’m privileged to be part of such an organisation that is working for the betterment of womankind”.
Jyoti Naik was conferred ‘Businesswomen of the Year’ (2001-02) for corporate excellence by the Economic Times. She was also conferred with the ‘Vandemataram Rashtriya Seva Award’ for her efforts towards the empowerment of women.
