Mumbai dabbawalas thrilled by Modi invite

Mumbai's iconic 'dabbawalas' Thursday celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to them to join the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' by distributing sweets.

"We are truly thrilled and honoured... It's a big responsibilty given to us and we shall go all out to implement it," Nutan Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Trust (NMTBST) spokesperson S.Talekar told IANS.

He said this was the first time a group of commoners - the 5,000-dabbawalas - has been invited for the ongoing national cleanliness campaign initiated by Modi.

"Until now, it was only the celebrities and other big names who were joining the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. We dabbawalas live in slums or chawls perpetually surrounded by dirt and filth. Henceforth, we shall carry a broom along on our bicycles and clean up wherever required," Talekar said.

Friday morning, dabbawalas shall assemble and start a clean up of the areas around Lower Parel station before embarking on their world-famous routine - delivering tiffins - to over 200,000 customers across Mumbai.

Besides, the dabbawalas shall also gently sensitise their customers on the need for practicing cleanliness in daily life so that each person is part of the prime minister's national cleanliness mission, he added.

Earlier in the day, Modi made the announcement in Varanasi, inviting the dabbawalas of Mumbai, who are renowned globally for efficient work systems, to join the Clean India campaign.