Dabbawalas to represent Maharashtra at R-Day parade

Famed for their proficiency in delivering lunch-boxes, Mumbai Dabbawalas will again make Maharashtra proud while representing the state in the Republic Day parade at the national capital. "We would display uninterrupted service of Dabbawalas on the Republic Day parade in Delhi," Secretary for Tourism and Culture Anand Kulkarni told PTI.

The over 100-year-old business community had grabbed attention when Prince Charles met them during his visit to the city. He even invited them for his marriage in England. In 1998, Forbes Global magazine conducted an analysis and gave them a Six Sigma rating of efficiency. The Dabbawalas were asked by international business schools to carry lectures and share management tips with students.

"This would be an honour towards the hard working community on the Republic Day parade and they would represent true spirit and culture of Mumbai," an official from Culture Department said. Around 15 Dabbawalas have been chosen for the presentation and have been taught music and dance which they would perform at the parade, the official added.     

With unique coding system as a mantra for their successful business, around five thousand 'dabbawallas' carry tiffin to two lakh office goers and school children everyday in Mumbai. Expressing gratitude, president of Nutan Mumbai Tiffinbox Suppliers, Raghunath Medge said, "This is like a dream come true...We have always read and heard about Delhi but none of us went there. This is like a dream come true for us and we are very thankful to the government for the opportunity.

Medge hoped that their customers would respect them more and the business would grow further with this honour. Earlier, Maharashtra stood first for three consecutive years for their presentation in the Republic Day parade and also won the Vaijayanti award.