In their classic white kurta-pyjama and Gandhi topis, they looked every bit from another era.
The Mumbai Dabbawalas...a name synonymous with perfection, efficiency and hardwork.
As a corporate, we wanted them to share their experiences of being experts in Six Sigma. As a journalist, I was just curious to know more about their lives. (Just when I'd thought I'd left my journalistic skills behind me, the pen came knocking...) Both Raghunath and Gangaram are third generations dabbawalas. In other words, for more than 6 decades now, their fathers and grandfathers have been carrying lunch-boxes around Mumbai, serving home-cooked to those in offices. Around 5000 men carry 2 lakh dabbas around 60-70 sqkm across Mumbai every day. All this with 0% disputes, 0% investment, 0% technology, but 100 % customer satisfaction.
No wonder then that that in 1998, the Forbes Global magazine, conducted a study on the Dabbawalas' operations and found that they made one error in six million transactions! They were awarded a Six Sigma efficiency rating of 99.999999. A three-hour interaction with them motivated me to activate this blog again (excuses~excuses).
How I wish I could write about their visit here, but Integrity policies of my organization bind me. However, would just like to say this. If you every get a chance to meet them, do not miss it! Even the Prince of England didn't make that mistake!
