Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) entered the Indian market in 1888. In the 1960s, HUL recognized rural India as a huge market opportunity and began expanding its rural operations. Some key strategies HUL employed included developing affordable products through value engineering, introducing smaller product packages, establishing direct distribution networks to rural vendors/retailers, and utilizing culturally appropriate promotional methods. In 1998, HUL launched Project Streamline and Project Bhart to improve rural distribution. In 2001, HUL launched Project Shakti, a partnership with rural women's self-help groups, to directly reach consumers in villages. Project Shakti now operates in over 100,000 villages across 15 states, providing livelihood