Mumbai's dabbawalas: embracing 125 years of rich heritage

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], Sept. 20 (ANI): They don't know management theories and accept very humbly that they are guided by practical wisdom and learning from their 125 years of rich heritage and experience. More than 5000 Mumbai dabbawalas deliver nearly 200,000 tiffin boxes to workplaces everyday. They collect the dabbas from homes, interact with housewives and then deliver it to the workplaces across the city. There are four lakh touch points everyday. Talking about his experience, a dabbawalas told ANI, "There are 5000 dabbawalas in Mumbai who provide two lakh tiffin services. When our brothers go out of their homes for work, the responsibility of providing them with lunch boxes rests with the Mumbai's dabbawalas." When asked if a similar business could be started outside Mumbai, he said, "We operate in Mumbai, because the required infrastructure is available there. From Churchgate to Virar and CST to Panvel, we can reach a destination within two hours due to local trains. But, I don't see such facilities at other places, then how will tiffins reach destinations." "But if a person is determined to do something, he can begin with it. Even if he starts at the smaller level, he can grow big; a beginning is important," he added. (ANI)