Dabbawallas

Hey fellow adventurers! I’ve been looking forward to this blog post all month! I’m honestly in awe of the Dabbawallas! Maybe, by the end you’ll understand why.

Dabbawallas are an essential part of everyday life in Mumbai. For 800 rupees ($12.50 USD) a month, Indians can get a homecooked meal delivered to them 6 days a week. Their organizational system is one of the best in the world with some saying they only make one mistake every million deliveries and others saying six million. Either way, they’re the best delivery men I know of! They definitely put my local pizza hut to shame!

Dabba is the name of the cylinder metal container (tiffin) that the food comes in and wala refers to the man that carries those lunches. Dabbawalla roughly translates to “tiffin box delivery man” or “the one who carries the box.” Wives and mothers of the men that sign up for this service make their loved ones home cooked meals. The Dabbawallas pick up those meals from their homes and take it to the recipient’s work or school via train and bicycle by 1PM (13:00). It’s essential that they deliver these lunches on time. But it’s also important that the recipients give their empty containers back to the Dabbawallas on time as well. If the recipients fail to give their empty containers to the Dabbawallas three times, they’re dropped as a customer. Apart from the train, the Dabbawallas don’t use any modern devices to help them in their delivery. Over 200,000 lunches are delivered by Dabbawallas every day.

Recognizing that India needed a service that delivers hot food to busy, working men, Mahadeo Havaji Bachche started a lunch delivery service with about 100 men. Today, there are at least 5,000 Dabbawallas delivering food, and the service is still growing. Dabbawallas wear white kurtas and white Gandhi caps. Each Dabbawalla earns 8,000 rupees ($125 USD) a month, making this service one of the better paying labor jobs in India. Many of the Dabbawallas either have low literacy skills or are illiterate so the system uses mostly colors and numbers to direct men as to where the food should go. But I can’t explain as well as Dabbawalla so I highly suggest you listen to this man describe the system (it’s a short video): http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170119-the-ingenious-codes-of-indias-dabbawalla

In 2014, a movie centered around this service came out called The Lunchbox. I haven’t seen it yet but it looks interesting and the critics at Rotten Tomatoes gave it a score of 98% so that’s promising. They describe it as: “Middle class housewife Ila is trying once again to add some spice to her marriage, this time through her cooking. She desperately hopes that this new recipe will finally arouse some kind of reaction from her neglectful husband. She prepares a special lunchbox to be delivered to him at work, but, unbeknownst to her, it is mistakenly delivered to another office worker, Saajan, a lonely man on the verge of retirement. Curious about the lack of reaction from her husband, Ila puts a little note in the following day’s lunchbox, in the hopes of getting to the bottom of the mystery. This begins a series of lunchbox notes between Saajan and Ila, and the mere comfort of communicating with a stranger anonymously soon evolves into an unexpected friendship. Gradually, their notes become little confessions about their loneliness, memories, regrets, fears, and even small joys. They each discover a new sense of self and find an anchor to hold on to in the big city of Mumbai that so often crushes hopes and dreams. Still strangers physically, Ila and Saajan become lost in a virtual relationship that could jeopardize both their realities.” Trailer here:

Though times are changing in India just like the rest of the world. With more and more women working in India, some women don’t have the time to make a hot lunch to be delivered to their husbands. If this trend continues, the delivery system will be forced to change. There’s some talk that the wives of the Dabbawalla might need to be the ones that make the lunches in the future. As of right now though, most women are still at home and making lunches for the husbands.

Are you lot impressed like I am? Feel free to post your opinions in the comment section below! I would love to know! Thank you so much for reading my blog! And until our next adventure!

2,742 thoughts on “Dabbawallas”

  1. Someone essentially lend a hand to make critically articles I would state.
    That is the first time I frequented your website page and to this point?
    I amazed with the research you made to make this particular submit
    amazing. Wonderful task!

  2. Very good site you have here but I was curious about if
    you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same topics discussed here?
    I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get feed-back from other experienced individuals that share the same interest.
    If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
    Kudos!

  3. Just wish to say your article is as amazing.
    The clarity in your post is simply spectacular
    and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with
    forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.

  4. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to
    and you are just extremely magnificent. I actually like what you have acquired here,
    really like what you’re saying and the way in which you say
    it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it wise.
    I can not wait to read much more from you.

    This is really a terrific web site.

  5. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this fantastic blog!
    I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
    I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this website
    with my Facebook group. Talk soon!

  6. I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I’m not
    sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else
    know such detailed about my problem. You are incredible!
    Thanks!

  7. My spouse and I stumbled over here coming from a different web
    page and thought I might check things out.
    I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward
    to exploring your web page repeatedly.

  8. Howdy! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and
    I’m having problems finding one? Thanks a lot!

  9. you are in point of fact a good webmaster. The website loading speed is
    amazing. It sort of feels that you’re doing any distinctive trick.
    Furthermore, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a fantastic
    activity in this topic!

  10. I don’t even know the way I ended up right here, however I assumed this publish
    used to be great. I don’t know who you are however certainly you are going to a famous blogger
    in case you aren’t already. Cheers!

  11. Hello would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with?
    I’m planning to start my own blog in the near future but
    I’m having a hard time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and
    I’m looking for something completely unique.

    P.S My apologies for getting off-topic but I had to
    ask!

  12. Awesome blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
    I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a
    little lost on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free
    platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many
    choices out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any ideas?
    Bless you!

  13. Hi, I do believe this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it
    😉 I may return yet again since I book-marked it. Money and freedom is
    the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.

  14. Hey there would you mind letting me know which web host you’re working with?

    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different internet browsers
    and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most.
    Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a reasonable price?
    Cheers, I appreciate it!

  15. Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that
    it is really informative. I am going to watch out for brussels.
    I will appreciate if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing.
    Cheers!

  16. Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this blog.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that “perfect balance”
    between user friendliness and appearance. I must say that you’ve done a amazing job
    with this. Additionally, the blog loads very fast
    for me on Opera. Outstanding Blog!

  17. Hello, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, great blog!

  18. Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this blog.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s
    very difficult to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appeal.
    I must say that you’ve done a awesome job with this.

    Additionally, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Opera.
    Outstanding Blog!

  19. What i don’t realize is in truth how you’re now not actually much more well-favored than you may
    be right now. You’re so intelligent. You recognize
    thus considerably in terms of this matter, made me for my part imagine
    it from numerous various angles. Its like women and men are not fascinated until it’s one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga!
    Your individual stuffs nice. At all times take care of
    it up!

  20. Nice post. I was checking continuously this weblog and I am inspired!
    Extremely useful info particularly the last phase 🙂 I handle such info much.
    I was seeking this certain information for a very long time.
    Thanks and best of luck.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *