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!
A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you ought to publish more
about this issue, it may not be a taboo matter but typically people
do not talk about these topics. To the next! All the best!!
I visited various websites however the audio quality for audio songs current at this web
page is really superb.
Excellent goods from you, man. I have be aware your stuff previous to and you’re simply
extremely fantastic. I actually like what you’ve obtained here,
certainly like what you’re stating and the way in which during which
you assert it. You make it entertaining and you continue to care for to stay
it smart. I can’t wait to learn much more from you.
This is actually a tremendous web site.
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon every day.
It’s always exciting to read articles from other writers and
practice a little something from their web sites.
Quality articles is the key to invite the users to pay a quick visit the web site, that’s what this web site is providing.
You could certainly see your skills in the work you write. The
world hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to say how they believe.
All the time follow your heart.
It’s an remarkable post in support of all the online visitors; they will take benefit from it
I am sure.
Just desire to say your article is as astounding. The clarity to your post is just cool and that i could suppose you’re knowledgeable in this subject.
Fine together with your permission let me to snatch your RSS feed
to stay up to date with coming near near post. Thanks 1,
000,000 and please carry on the gratifying work.
I got this web page from my buddy who shared with me on the topic of this web site and
at the moment this time I am visiting this web page and reading very informative content at this time.
Your way of telling everything in this piece of writing
is genuinely nice, every one can simply know it, Thanks a lot.
Ahaa, its pleasant conversation concerning this article at this
place at this blog, I have read all that, so now me also commenting here.
This article provides clear idea designed for the new people of blogging, that truly how to do blogging and site-building.
It’s really very difficult in this full of activity life to listen news on TV, thus I only use internet for that reason, and obtain the most recent information.
What’s up to all, the contents existing at this website are really remarkable for people experience, well,
keep up the good work fellows.
This is the perfect web site for everyone who
really wants to understand this topic. You realize so much
its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally will need
to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic which has been discussed for ages.
Great stuff, just excellent!
Spot on with this write-up, I really think this site needs far more
attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more, thanks
for the advice!
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how
could i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal.
I had been a little bit acquainted of this your
broadcast offered bright clear concept
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my
own weblog and was wondering what all is needed to get setup?
I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty
penny? I’m not very web savvy so I’m not
100% certain. Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Appreciate it
What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It positively
helpful and it has helped me out loads. I’m hoping to contribute & help different users like its helped me.
Great job.
I got this web page from my buddy who told me on the topic of this site and now this time I am browsing this website and reading very informative articles or reviews at this time.
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was
a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you!
However, how can we communicate?
hey there and thank you for your info – I’ve certainly picked
up anything new from right here. I did however expertise several technical issues using
this site, since I experienced to reload the website many times previous to I could get it to load
correctly. I had been wondering if your web
host is OK? Not that I am complaining, but slow loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and
can damage your quality score if advertising and marketing
with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for much more of your
respective exciting content. Make sure you update this again very
soon.
Hi, after reading this amazing article i am too happy to share my
know-how here with mates.
Hi, everything is going sound here and ofcourse every one is
sharing data, that’s truly fine, keep up writing.
of course like your web site however you have to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts.
A number of them are rife with spelling problems and
I in finding it very bothersome to inform the reality on the other hand I’ll certainly come again again.
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post.
Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
Admiring the persistence you put into your website and in depth information you provide.
It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t
the same out of date rehashed information. Fantastic read!
I’ve saved your site and I’m including your
RSS feeds to my Google account.
This is a very good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing
this one. A must read post!
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew
of any widgets I could add to my blog that
automatically tweet my newest twitter updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and
was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something
like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
No matter if some one searches for his essential
thing, therefore he/she wants to be available that
in detail, so that thing is maintained over here.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed surfing
around your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to
your feed and I hope you write again soon!
Paragraph writing is also a fun, if you be familiar with then you can write if not it is difficult to write.
I have read some just right stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting.
I wonder how a lot attempt you place to make the sort of excellent informative site.
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This paragraph posted at this
web page is in fact good.
Very good post! We are linking to this great article on our site.
Keep up the good writing.
Definitely believe that that you said. Your favourite reason appeared to be
on the net the simplest factor to keep in mind of.
I say to you, I definitely get annoyed even as other people consider worries that they just do not realize about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also outlined out the whole thing without having side
effect , other people could take a signal. Will likely be back
to get more. Thanks
hello!,I really like your writing very so much!
share we keep up a correspondence extra about
your article on AOL? I require an expert on this area to unravel my
problem. Maybe that’s you! Looking ahead to peer you.
What’s up, I read your blog on a regular basis. Your humoristic style is witty, keep up
the good work!
Great blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What web host are you
using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded
up as fast as yours lol
Good web site you have here.. It’s hard to find
good quality writing like yours nowadays. I really appreciate individuals like you!
Take care!!
That is a good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere.
Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing this one.
A must read article!
It’s going to be finish of mine day, but before finish I am reading this impressive
post to increase my experience.
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and starting a new
scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with useful
info to work on. You have performed an impressive
job and our whole group will be thankful to you.
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our community.
Your website provided us with helpful info to work on. You have performed a formidable activity and our whole neighborhood can be thankful to you.
Hi there to every body, it’s my first go to see
of this website; this blog includes amazing and in fact fine data in favor of visitors.
Hi this is kinda of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use
WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so
I wanted to get advice from someone with experience.
Any help would be enormously appreciated!
Great beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how could
i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me
a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast
provided bright clear concept
Admiring the dedication you put into your website and
in depth information you offer. It’s good to come across a blog every
once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed information. Great read!
I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am a blogger, and
I was wanting to know your situation; we have created some
nice procedures and we are looking to exchange methods with other folks, be sure
to shoot me an e-mail if interested.
I’m extremely impressed together with your writing skills and also with the structure for your blog.
Is this a paid topic or did you customize it yourself?
Anyway stay up the nice quality writing, it’s uncommon to
see a great blog like this one today..