School Academy Kallil Methala English Resource Room Unit III ARTICLE THE SAGA OF THE TIFFIN CARRIERS  

Activity 1

Mumbai, with its vibrant culture, unique enterprises, historic landmarks and stunning coastline, is a tourist paradise. Imagine yourself as a tourist on a visit to Mumbai, witnessing by chance the unique and internationally acclaimed dabbawala system at Churchgate station.

How would you pen your experience and feelings in your diary?

Monday, August 26 2024

What an exciting experience! I can never forget this day. I was on a visit to Mumbai as a tourist. I was sitting at the Churchgate railway station in the morning waiting for my train to Dadar. A train going in the opposite direction came to the platform and to my surprise a large group of people wearing white caps got off the train carrying trays stacked with tiffin carriers. Another group of people wearing whitecaps who were waiting on the platform approached them with trays. All of them kept the trays on the platform and soon they changed the tiffin carriers into the other trays by checking the alpha- numerical markings on every tiffin carrier. It was all done very fast and very accurately. Everything was finished in one or two minutes and a group got on the train again with their trays and left. The other group was waiting for the next train to come. I was really stunned by their discipline and professionalism. A fellow passenger told me that it was a usual sight at the railway station every day in Mumbai. They were the ‘Dabbawalas’ who collected home cooked meals from various places and delivered them to they customers. I was really wonderstruck by the speed, efficiency and precision with which they accomplished their task. It was an incredible experience!

►Activity 2

The unparalleled efficiency and organisational skills of the dabbawalas have earned them world. wide recognition. As a journalist who admires this flawless system, you decide to interview the secretary of the dabbawala association. Frame a few questions that you would ask the secretary,

1. When did the dabbawala system begin?

2. Who was the first customer of your system?

3. How many dabbawalas work in your organsation?

4. How many customers do you have?

5. What time do you pick up the food?

6. How many tiffin carriers fit into a tray?

7. How do you know which tiffin carrier goes into which tray?

►Activity 3

The remarkable efficiency of the dabbawalas is truly admirable. As the secretary of a youth welfare organisation of your locality, you de- cide to write a letter to the office bearers of the dabbawala association, expressing your sincere appreciation of their service. Draft the letter.

Aswin T. S.

Secretary

Youth Welfare Organisation

Chennai

25 August 2024

The President

Mumbal Tiffin Box Suppliers Association

Dadar, Mumbai

Sub:-A note of appreciation for your outstanding work Sir,

I am Aswin, secretary of the youth welfare organis tion, Chennai. At the last meeting of our members. we had a useful discussion on how to find employ ment for the unemployed youth of our locality. Our Mayor was also present at the meeting. He said that he was greatly impressed by the work of dab bawalas in Mumbal, and suggested that a similar Initiative should be started in Chennai as well. We have formed a team to study your system in detall We are greatly impressed by the discipline, efficiency and professionalism of your system. The commit ment of the members of your organisation is truly admirable, Your organisational skills are outstanding. On behalf of the Youth Welfare Organization, Chennal, I congratulate all of you on continuing your commend able service for the benefit of everyone in your city, and we do appreciate your hard work and dedicated service.

Yours faithfully

Sd/-

Ashwin

►Activity 4

The saga of the tiffin carriers of Mumbai fasci- nated you and your friends. You wish to appreci- ate and honour the members of the dabbawala association at the School Annual Day celebra- tions, Draft a notice informing the public about the event.

NOTICE

ABC High School, Chennai Welcome to the Saga of the Tiffin Carriers

Ladies and Gentlemen

We are happy to inform you that our School Annual Day Celebrations will be held on 11th September, 2024 at 10 am in the School Auditorium. We’d like to honour the members of the Mumbai dabbawala association at the function, as a mark of our appreciation for their valuable services to the public. The district collector, Mr. Subhash Bose will be our chief guest. All are cordially invited to attend the programme.

Date-11 September 2024

Time-10 am

Venue-School Auditorium

Sd/-

Akhilesh Das School Leader Chennal

10 September 2024

Activity 5

The School Annual Day celebration was a feast for the eyes. The highlight of the day was the ceremony to honour the dabbawalas. This was widely reported in the media. Draft the likely news report 

DAILY NEWS

ALL news in one NEWSPAPER Mumbai Dabbawalas Greatly Appreciated

ABC High School, Chennai, celebrated their Annual Day with great pomp and splendour on 11th September 2024. The students and the staff of the school honoured the members of the Dab- bawala Association on the occasion. The Principal spoke about their commendable services and the discipline and professionalism shown by them.The district collector gave a memento to the members of the Association. During the public meeting, a video presentation was made to make the people aware of the success of the Dabbarwala System. All the speakers including the district collector appre- clated their sincere and dedicated work. The school leader Master Akhilesh Das praised their efficiency and remarked that their services were unparalleled and truly admirable.