Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Dabbawala

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Dabbawala

#1
Question: What is Dabbawala system? Answer: Dabbawala is a 135+ years old system delivering tiffin boxes throughout Mumbai. These tiffin boxes are filled with home-made food prepared by someone’s mother, sister, wife or other family members. The Dabbawala collects these tiffin boxes in the morning and delivers to customers offices by the lunch time by using a complex supply chain system comprising walking, bicycles, hand carts and Mumbai’s punctual local train system. After the customer has taken the lunch, the empty tiffin boxes are returned back to customer residences. The customers have to avail Dabbawala services because in Mumbai, the offices are located far away from the residential localities and the people have to start their journey very early in the morning and they cannot carry the tiffin boxes with them because the local trains are very crowded and lunch may not be ready by the time they start their long journey to their offices. Some people may have specific dietary requirements because of certain health challenges due to which they cannot eat outside food from hotels and restaurants and the Dabbawala is the only solution for them to bring home-made healthy food to their offices during the lunch time.
#2
Question: When Dabbawala system started? Answer: The Dabbawala system started in year 1890 when the Britisher’s were still ruling India.
#3
Question: How Dabbawala system started? Answer: A Parsi Banker first started availing this service because the outside food from restaurants and hotels was not good for his health and budget. Slowly, this developed into the modern-day Dabbawala system.
#4
Question: Who formally established the Dabbawala System? Answer: Shri Mahadeo Havaji Bachche is credited with the formal establishment of the Dabbawala system. Who Started the Dabbawala system with a handful of about 35 Dabbawalas in 1890.
#5
Question: What is the educational background of Dabbawalas? Answer: Most, around 85% of Dabbawalas are Illiterate –Thumps Up. 15% Class 8 pass/fail.
#6
Question: Which areas in Mumbai are covered by Dabbawala service? Answer: Dabbawala operate in the nook and corner of Mumbai. Dabbawala operate from Virar to Churchgate, Kalyan/ Panvel to CSMT.
#7
Question: How many Dabbawalas are working in Mumbai? Answer: Around 5000 Dabbawalas operate in Mumbai.
#8
Question: How many Mukundhams ( senior / supervisors) are Dabbawalas? Answer: Out of total 5000 Dabbawalas, around 600 are Mukundhams ( senior / supervisors) Dabbawalas.
#9
Question: How many tiffin boxes are delivered by Dabbawala everyday? Answer: Everyday Dabbawala delivers around 200,000 tiffin boxes.
#10
Question: What is the average time taken by the Dabbawala to collect tiffin box and to deliver it? Answer: The average time taken by the Dabbawala to collect tiffin box and to deliver it is around 3 hours.
#11
Question: Do Dabbawala use technology to deliver tiffin boxes? Answer: No, Dabbawala do not use technology like GPS, Bar code, RFID code or AI to deliver tiffin boxes.
#12
Question: Why Dabbawala do not use technology to deliver tiffin boxes? Answer: Dabbawala do not use technology to deliver tiffin boxes because most of them are not educated enough to use IT and also using IT will increase the cost to serve the customer.
#13
Question: What is the monthly fees charged by the Dabbawala to deliver food? Answer: The monthly fees charged by the Dabbawala to deliver food is from INR 500 to INR 1000 depending upon distance and weight of tiffin box.
#14
Question: What is the approximate annual financial turnover of Dabbawala? Answer: The approximate total annual financial turnover of Dabbawala is around INR 100 crore.
#15
Question: How much a Dabbawala earn a month? Answer: A Dabbawala earns abour INR 10,000 to INR 20,000 per month.
#16
Question: Do Dabbawala use fossil fuel in logistics? Answer: No, Dabbawala do not use fossil fuel in logistics. The delivery is done by cycle and Mumbai local train system.
#17
Question: What is the customer has not taken his/her lunch by the time Dabbawala comes to collect the empty tiffin box? Answer: In this case, the customer has to keep two tiffin boxes, the days empty tiffin box is collected the next day.
#18
Question: How many Dabbawalas are there is a typical Dabbawala group? Answer: Around 20 – 25 abbawalas are there is a typical Dabbawala group.
#19
Question: On an average, how many Dabbas are collected/delivered by a Dabbawala? Answer: On an average, around 40 Dabbas are collected/delivered by a Dabbawala.
#20
Question: On an average, how many times a tiffin box changes hands from receipt to delivery? Answer: A tiffin box changes hands around 4 times from collection to delivery.
#21
Question: How income is distributed among the Dabbawalas? Answer: In a group of around 20 – 25 Dabbawalas, the money in cash is collected from customers, after deducting all expenses, the balances is distributed equally among all Dabbawalas of that group. Everyone is a equal share holder.
#22
Question: What is the average distance covered by a Dabbawala everyday? Answer: 175 kilometers is the average distance covered by a Dabbawala everyday.
#23
Question: Are all Dabbawalas are from the Marathi community? Answer: Yes, all Dabbawalas are from the Marathi community. The decedents of the Dabbawalas were the warriors in the army of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
#24
Question: Has Dabbawala ever gone on strike? Answer: No, the Dabbawala ever never gone on strike.
#25
Question: Do Dabbawala follow six-sigma standards? Answer: Independent studies claim that Dabbawala operates beyond six-sigma quality standards.
#26
Question: What do the top leaders of Dabbawala do? Answer: The top leaders of Dabbawala also deliver tiffin boxes daily.
#27
Question: How Dabbawalas ensure the error free deliver? Answer: The Dabbawala uses a colour code system on top of every tiffin box to ensure that right tiffin box reaches the right customer.
#28
Question: When and where Dis Prince Charles met Dabbawalas? Answer: Prince Charles met the Dabbawalas on November 4, 2003 at the Churchgate Railway Station in Mumbai.
#29
Question: Which organization represents the Dabbawalas? Answer: The Dabbawalas are represented by various Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and independent leaders. There is no one organization which represents all Dabbawalas. Individual Dabbawalas are alighted to various Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and independent leaders.
#30
Question: What is Dabbawala Enterprises Private Limited? Answer: Dabbawala Enterprises is the first corporate company of Dabbawalas working towards their economic empowerment and financial well-being. It has been registered under the Companies Act, 2013 with the Registrar of companies, ministry of corporate affairs, Government of India. Prior to this, Dabbawalas were being represented by various NGOs and groups which had inherent limitations as they were non-commercial entities. The most fundamental problem faced by Dabbawalas were that the customers used to pay monthly fees to Dabbawalas by cash and so it was not being shown as legal income of Dabbawala. Due to this reason, Dabbawalas had no credit rating and thus no access to credit products and loans such as housing loan, educational loan, personal loan, credit card, etc. The other major problem being faced by the Dabbawalas was that they did not have any insurance policy, so in case of any accident leading to injury or unfortunate death, their families looses the only source of income and had to suffer financial devastation. Lack of medi-claim heath policy meant that in case any family member of Dabbawala fell ill, they could not afford high-quality health-care and his financial condition used to get affected. There is no retirement age in Dabbawala and no pension plan for them which creates financial hardships for them in older age. Dabbawala Enterprises intends to resolve these perennial and deep-rooted problems faced by the Dabbawalas. All the directors of the Dabbawala Enterprises are the Dabbawalas themselves having many years of experience working as Dabbawala and so they have complete knowledge of the problem faced by the Dabbawalas. Dabbawalas along with their family members and close friends are the shareholders in the company. The company is run professionally by following all the rules and regulations of the government leading to the higher trust factor among Dabbawalas and the general public. The company is able to attract talent which works professionally to resolve the problems faced by the Dabbawalas. The company works to generate further revenue by innovative means such as advertising, marketing tie-ups, speaking arrangements, etc. which ultimately leads to financial benefits for the Dabbawalas.
#31
Question: Who are the directors of Dabbawala Enterprises Private Limited? Answer: Dabbawala Enterprises Private Limited has the following directors: 1) Mr. Sandeep Shantaram Gaikar 2) Mr. Sunil Pandurang Gavande 3) Mr. Sharad Gangadhar More 4)Mr. Sandeep Murlidhar Dumbare all of them are Dabbawalas.
#32
Question: What impact Dabbawala Enterprises Private Limited has made so far? Answer: Dabbawala Enterprises Private Limited has made the following impact so far:

Opening of Bank accounts of Dabbawalas and bringing them in the formal economy.
Now customers make payments in the bank accounts of the company and at the end of the month, the company transfers money in the Bank account of Dabbawala by deducting statuary deductions such as TDS, GST, etc.
Now Dabbawalas have legal income proof and access to all kinds of credit facility.
Dabbawalas are issued salary slip by the company which acts as acceptable proof of employment and legal income.
10,00,000/- (Ten Lacks) accidental insurance policy.
1,00,000/- (One Lacks) Medi-claim policy to cover the entire family.
Filing of income tax return.
Bonus to eligible Dabbawalas.
Interest-free loans given by the company such as smart phone loans on EMI.
Distribution of rain coats, high quality dress and other initiatives for better working conditions.
Dabbawala Enterprises, in cooperation with Dabbawala Charity generated large donations with the support of Republic TV during COVID-19 lock-down period and insured that no Dabbawala remained hungry due to the closure of the Dabbawala services.

#33
Question: What are the future plans of Dabbawala Enterprises Private Limited?
Answer: The future plans of Dabbawala Enterprises Private Limited are:

NPS Pension plans for Dabbawala
Interest Free Laptop for Dabbawala
Less interest Home Loan
Educational loan for children of Dabbawala
Rreward plans for Dabbawala
Launch Food products
Own Factory
Multi National Food Company

#34
Question: What is Dabbawala group of organizations?
Answer: Dabbawala group of organizations comprises three organizations with same management:
1) Dabbawala Enterprises Private Limited (CIN:U74995MH2017PTC299466)
2) Dabbawala Welfare Council (CIN:U88900MH2023NPL404198)
3) Dabbawala Charity (Reg. No.:GBBSD/786/2017)

#35
Question: What are the key objectives of Dabbawala group of organizations?
Answer: The key objectives of Dabbawala group of organizations are:
1) Financial empowerment of Dabbawalas
2) Social Security of Dabbawalas
3) Community Welfare of Dabbawalas
4) Improving Quality of Life of Dabbawalas

#36
Question: How and when Dabbawala became famous?
Answer: By year 2000, the Dabbawala system was 110 years old and it still used to operate very efficiently and cost-effectively for the customers, however, no one recognized the greatness and significance of the Dabbawala system. This changed, when in November, 2003; UK’s King Charles III, then Prince Charles, met the Dabbawalas on the street of the Mumbai and recognized and acknowledged their consistent hard work. The meeting of the Prince Charles was the turning point in the history of the Dabbawalas because it made headlines on the newspapers of leading global newspapers and the whole world including India recognized, appreciated and discovered the greatness and eminence of the Dabbawala system. After the visit of Prince Charles, leading international figures such as Sir Richards Branson, Queen Maxima of The Netherlands, etc. met the Dabbawalas and appreciated and valued their timeless management practices.However, the Dabbawalas are not at all swayed or influenced by the limelight and stardom and they continue to do every day what they have been doing for centuries, that is, delivering hot home-made lunch boxes for their customers!

#37
Question: Does Dabbawala system operate only in Mumbai?
Answer: Yes, Dabbawala system operate only in Mumbai due to these reasons:
1) Geography of Mumbai
2) Concentrated population
3) Punctual local train system
4) Availability of hard working Dabbawalas

#38
Question: What is retirement age in Dabbawala?
Answer: There is no retirement age in Dabbawala system. A Dabbawala can work as long as he is physically fit. There are many Dabbawalas over the age of 80 working enthusiastically to serve hot meals to their customers!

#39
Question: Do Dabbawala still delivers food when trains stop working during heavy monsoon rains?
Answer: If Mumbai local trains are not working then we can not deliver tiffin boxes. Deliveries by cycle in local areas contines.

#40
Question: What was the COVID-19 response of Dabbawala?
Answer: Dabbawala Charity is a registered charitable organization working for the welfare of Dabbawalas. Due to COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown since March 2020, Dabbawalas have lost their income. It has been around 9 months and Dabbawalas have no income. This has created unprecedented economic hardship for the Dabbawala community. Dabbawala Charity has raised online donations wherein people all across the world donated whole heartedly. We conducted the following welfare activities for the Dabbawalas affected by the COVID-19 pandemic:

Distribution of ration to Dabbawalas in nook and corner of Mumbai
Direct financial support to needy Dabbawalas
Distribution of cycles to help Dabbawalas restart their business
Creation of a Women’s Cell in Dabbawalas and distribution of financial aid directly to female head of Dabbawala family

#41
Question: What are the problems faced by the Dabbawala community?
Answer: Majority of Dabbawalas face many financial hardships like no income proof, no bank account, no income tax returns, no financial credit, no insurance, no medi claim coverage, no housing loan and no financial support. These financial problems have severely affected the quality of life of Dabbawalas.The society at large has never discussed these problems faced by the Dabbawalas.

#42
Question: May Dabbawala model be replicated in other cities?
Answer: It is very hard to replicate Dabbawala model be in other cities.

#43
Question: May I travel and work with Dabbawala for a day.
Answer: Yes, you travel and work with Dabbawala for a day to get real experience. Please contact us and we will fully help and guide you.

#44
Question: Does the entry of food deliver apps has affected the Dabbawala demand?
Answer: Our customers are those who like to ear home made healthy food prepared by mother, wife, sister or other family members. So our demand has not affected much due to the entry of food deliver apps who supply food from restaurants,

#45
Question: Which universities has written case studies on Dabbawala?
Answer: Leading global Universities such as Harvard business school (USA), Richard Ivey School of Business (Canada) and ICFAI (India) have published case studies on Dabbawala system and teach it as part of their MBA curriculum!

#46
Question: I am a management student or facility and doing a project on Dabbawala. How may I work with the Dabbawala group of organizations?
Answer: Please contact us and we will fully help and guide you.

#47
Question: How may I have complete knowledge about Dabbawala?
Answer: You may organize the “Dabbawala: On Time – Every Time” Management Lecture in your organization to know everything about Dabbawala.
Most Dabbawalas are illiterate, this way we are not well qualified to teach anyone or for that matter deliver any lecture. However, by working for 135+ years with full dedication, time management, no strike and gathering experience in logistics – the Dabbawalas have created as place of their own in the management circles. Due to this reason, we are invited for the lecture by reputed educational and corporate organizations in not only Mumbai or India but from all across the world. The management students pursuing MBA/PGDM/BBA/BMS have shown very strong interest in attending Dabbawala management lectures. Through this lecture, the 135+ years history of the Dabbawala is shared along with the management lessons derived from it which may be used by the corporates and businesses. Through this highly humours and motivational lecture, all aspects of the Dabbawala system are explained giving complete in-depth knowledge about the Dabbawala system.

#48
Question: How may I organize the “Dabbawala: On Time – Every Time” Management Lecture in my organization?
Answer: Please visit Management lecture by Dabbawala.

#49
Question: What is the language of “Dabbawala: On Time – Every Time” Management Lecture?
Answer: The languages of “Dabbawala: On Time – Every Time” Management Lecture are:
1) World class English
2) Hindi
3) Marathi
The lecture is highly humorous as well as motivational and has the ability to transform a person.

#50
Question: What are the topics covered under “Dabbawala: On Time – Every Time” Management Lecture?
Answer: The topics covered under “Dabbawala: On Time – Every Time” Management Lecture:

Historical evolution of Dabbawala system
Fundamental beliefs of the Dabbawalas
Profile of the Dabbawalas
Coding system of the Dabbawalas – the reason for the error-free delivery
Organizational structure and hierarchy of the Dabbawalas
Key features of Dabbawala supply chain
Explaining the entire supply chain system using a case study
Rewards and accolades received by the Dabbawalas
Detailing the interactions with the leading international figures such as Prince Charles, Sir Richards Branson, Queen Maxima of The Netherlands, etc.
Problems and challenges faced by the Dabbawalas
Initiatives for resolving the challenges faced by the Dabbawalas
COVID-19 challenge and response
Management lessons from the Dabbawalas and its applications in corporate and business sector

#51
Question: What is the format of “Dabbawala: On Time – Every Time” Management Lecture?
Answer: Format of Lecture “Dabbawala: On Time – Every Time” Management Lecture:

SN.	Details	Duration
1-	A short introductory documentary film is played	3 minutes
2-	Lecture “Dabbawala: On Time – Every Time”	30 minutes to 1 hour
3-	Detailed documentary film explaining the entire operations	20 minutes
4-	Lecture “Management Learnings from Dabbawala”	30 minutes to 1 hour
5-	Question and answer session	As per time available
6-	Live feedback by the participants	As per time available
	#52
	Question: What will Dabbawala do when no one is there at home to cook food? Answer: When no one is there at home to cook food then Dabbawala will collect food of the choice of customer (e.g., Maharashtrian, Jain, Veg, or Non-Veg) from restaurants, and the Dabbawala will pick it up from there and deliver it directly to your office.
	#53
	Question: What things are required to join as a dabbawala? Answer: Hard work and dedication to serve the customer.
	#54
	Question: Who is the CEO of Dabbawala? Answer: Mr. Sunil Pandurang Gavande is the CEO of Dabbawala Enterprises Private Limited.
	#55
	Question: Do Dabbawala offer services on daily basis as well? Answer: No. Dabbawala services are offered on monthly basis only based on long-term commitments.
	#56
	Question: Has Dabbawala services closed or decreased after COVID-18? Answer: No, Dabbawala services have not closed or decreased after COVID-18. In fact, now customer are more concerned about healthy food,

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