Mumbai, May 21: Posing the world famous Mumbai dabbawalas as a security treats, many schools in Mumbai, specifically in south Mumbai, have barred them from delivering tiffin to the students. Parents of some students fear that their child's health can be affected by the outside food, or sharing a tiffin that doesn't suit their taste or religious ideology. Mumbai Dabbawalas Send Their Blessings for Royal Baby Prince Archie With a Silver Jewellery.
In a report shared by Times of India, Nutan Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers, One of the major tiffin box supplier said, "Approximately 50% of all schools across the city, mainly convents, have stopped dabbawallahs' entry. At one time, we were supplying one lakh tiffin to schools. That number has now dropped to 20,000." Queen Maxima of Netherlands Meets Mumbai's Dabbawalas.
The number has been dropping since the last two-three years, a drastic fall was also seen this year. This has caused resentment among the dabbawallahs community. Subhash Talekar, President of Mumbai dabbawala association has also issued a press note, in which he allegedly explained the motive behind it.
"On the one hand, schools are banning junk food while on the other, discouraging children from eating healthy, home-cooked meals. They are forcing students to buy food from the school canteen just as they once forced them to buy books, shoes and uniforms from the school or from retailers appointed by the school," Talekar said, reported Times of India.
On the other hand, Father Anthony Fernandes of St. Teresa's school, Girgaum, told TOI that the convents have reduced the school timings and students were back home in a time of lunch. GD Somani School, principal, Brian Seymour denied Talekar's allegations and said that our educational institution has never encouraged tiffin services from the start. They also alleged that dabbawalas don't carry ID proofs. Parents are also in favour of this decision as it poses a security threat.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 21, 2019 06:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).