India Post released a commemorative special cover on Mumbai’s dabbawalas on Friday in recognition of their service — delivering fresh, home-cooked food to office-goers across Maximum City with precision.
Maharashtra Transport Commissioner Mahesh Zagade released the cover at the General Post Office here during a three-day philately exhibition, Mumbaipex 2015, which showcases shared heritage and culture.
Nearly 5,000 dabbawalas operate across Mumbai, delivering food to their customers on time using a unique identity code to sort the nearly two lakh lunchboxes.
Mr. Zagade commended the dabbawalas for their service to society, and said the logistics of their operation was so sophisticated that it had become part of management studies in reputable institutions. The accurate delivery system was a case study at the Indian Institute of Management and Harvard Business School.
Raghunath Medge, president, Mumbai Dabbawala Association, said the unique identification code developed by the dabbawalas was inspired by the pin code. Mumbaipex 2015 showcases rare collections of 25 philatelists.
The three-day Mumbaipex 2015 showcases rare stamp collections of 25 philatelists, covering varied themes. While on the first day they will release a cover on the dabbawalas, the second day would be dedicated to Dr. Bhauji Lad Mumbai City Museum, and on Sunday a special cover would be released on Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan, where Gandhiji had given the call for Quit India in 1941.
