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(Mr. Sunil Pandurang Gavande)
(Dabbawala)
Director & CEO, Dabbawala Enterprises Private Limited
Director & CEO, Dabbawala Welfare Council
Secretary, Dabbawala Charity
Mr. Sunil Pandurang Gavande started working as Dabbawala due to financial hardships even when he was pursuing studies in his village. His relatives were already working as Dabbawala who facilitated his entry in the Dabbawala system. He is the third generation Dabbawala. While working as Dabbawala, he also witnessed the challenges faced by the Dabbawalas who even after getting so much name and fame faced many financial hardships. These problems have severely affected the quality of life of Dabbawalas. The society has not shown any interest to resolve these problems faced by the Dabbawalas. He, along with his close associate Mr. Sadeep Shantaram Gaikar, incorporated Dabbawala group of organizations to improve the quality of life of the Dabbawala community.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown since March 2020, the Dabbawalas lost their income. This created unprecedented economic hardship for the Dabbawala community as they faced existential challenges. Under the guidance and leadership of Mr. Sunil Pandurang Gavande, Dabbawala Charity raised online donations with the support of Republic TV and Shri Arnab Goswami wherein people all across the world donated whole heartedly. He conducted extensive welfare activities for the Dabbawalas affected by the COVID-19 pandemic all across Mumbai. He ensured that no Dabbawala remained hungry during COVID-19 lockdown.
Mr. Sunil Pandurang Gavande is a simple, ordinary, humble and grounded person. He is one of those rare Dabbawalas who are graduate and he now devotes is full time and energy to lead Dabbawala group of organizations. Under his leadership, Dabbawala Enterprises desires to expand the Dabbawala services all across India, launch food products and open quick service restaurants all across India. His vision is to make Dabbawala Enterprises as global food company. He also shares his experience as Dabbawala among the management students and corporates in India and abroad and motivates them to become entrepreneurs and achieve higher success.
“After working for around 25 years as Dabbawala, Now I dedicate my entire life for the wholistic and sustainable financial, social, personal and family welfare of Dabbawalas who remain neglected, marginalized, disadvantaged and uncared even after getting so much name, fame and recognition.”