Dabba gul for this week

Around two lakh Mumbaikars will be affected as the city's dabbawallas headed to their hometowns for a week-long break that began yesterday

Around two lakh Mumbaikars will be affected as the city's dabbawallas headed to their hometowns for a week-long break that began yesterday

Over two lakh Mumbaikars who depend on the city's famed dabbawallas for their afternoon grub will have to make some alternative arrangements this week. The 5,000 dabbawallas who diligently deliver lunch boxes to

on a holiday: Around 5,000 dabbawallas have gone to their native places near Pune. file pic

offices and homes across the city are on a week-long break.

The dabbawallas are headed to their hometowns in Khed, Mawal, Mulsi Taluka in Pune to attend the festival of their deity and will resume work only next Monday (April 11).u00a0u00a0
u00a0u00a0
The Mumbai Tiffin Carriers Association has informed their patrons about the break through pamphlets.

Sorry about that

Raghunath Medige, president, The Mumbai Tiffin Carrier Association, said, "All dabbawallas have left for their hometowns for the festival. Also, there are two public holidays this week Mahavir Jayanti (today) and Good Friday, followed by a Sunday. So, services will be affected only for four days."

He added, "We are sorry for the inconvenience, but this is our annual festival, which we attend every year."
u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
Want them back

However, patrons are disgruntled because a week without the dabba means binging on outside food, which many feel is not hygienic.

Prajakta Deshpande, process analyst with HDFC Standard Life, said, "As there is no dabba service, I have food from the office cafeteria. But tiffin food is hygienic; the dabbawallas have to be more punctual."

Taral Shah, a research analyst and another patron, added, "The dabbawallas are indispensable. They provide excellent service. Now, I have to carry lunch from home when I leave for work at 7.30 am and the food gets cold by noon."

"Moreover, I carry only chappatis and a vegetable; the dabba comprises dal and rice as well," he explained.

No pay cuts
The dabbawallas distributed pamphlets to patrons informing them about their break from April 6 to April 11. They also mentioned that there should be no deduction in their wages for the two public holidays this week u2014 Mahavir Jayanti and Good Friday.