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One of the most complex but highly organised and efficient food distribution systems is that operated by the tiffin-carriers, the Dabbahwallahs, who operate in Mumbai. Each day around 5,000 men collect nearly 200,000 metal tiffin-boxes from private homes and deliver them to the right customers at lunchtime. It is most impressive to see these lunch-boxes, often two or three tins which fit one on top of the other, being bought to various collection points and then distributed to their hungry clients on time. The system has been the subject of a television documentary, the tiffin-carriers themselves have received international recognition for their supply-chain management and some even attended Prince Charles’ wedding in 2005. But the 21st century has introduced a few problems to the dabbahwallahs, many of whom have only the most basic education and who may not speak English. So a university in Maharashtra has introduced a new course which teaches basic English and computer skills so that in future the graduate tiffin-carriers will be able to understand orders and addresses sent by email or text. The distribution of tiffin-boxes is a tradition going back more than one hundred years and it would be good to see a new documentary about the dabbahwallahs and how they operate in the 21st century to bring lunches from the homes of hungry folk to their place of work each day.
Related Articles -
dabbahwallahs, Dabbahwallahs Association, food distribution, India, Mumbai, tiffin-boxes, tiffin-carriers, Yashwantrao Chavan Open University in Mahar,
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