According to reports, Mumbai’s Dabbawalas have found a helping hand in HSBC India as they have decided to provide the Dabbawalas with a financial aid of INR 15 crores for the tiffin carriers.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mumbai Dabbawala Association had earlier urged the Maharashtra government to allow the Dabbawalas to commute by the suburban railway system so that they could continue to deliver the lunch boxes on time.
However, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Waddediwar has announced that local travel will not be considered for the general public until the coronavirus positivity rate reaches Level 1 in Mumbai. Currently, Mumbai is in Level 3.
Moreover, due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown in Maharashtra, several employers have shifted to a “work from home” model which has affected the livelihoods of Mumbai’s famous dabbawalas who deliver packed food to office-goers across the city.
Furthermore, the Dabbawala community had earlier expressed disappointment over the state government not announcing any relief package for them, as it has done for other sections of the society. Hence, the association said that it is again urging the government for financial help to the Dabbawalas. According to sources, out of 5,000 Dabbawalas, only 400-500 were working. With new lockdown restrictions, only 200-250 are now left.
ALSO READ: Apart From Delivering Lunches, Mumbai’s Dabbawalas Will Soon Cook the Meals Too
Share
Tweet
