The Dabbawalas in Mumbai are as much a part of the Maximum City as is the local train. They transport food from homes to offices with breathtaking coordination and have been the topic of various studies as to how they are able to manage so many tiffins at once.
Recently, the ‘Dabbawalas’ were spotted at the Mumbai Marathon where they were present to promote their ‘Roti Bank’ initiative.
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“Roti Bank” is an initiative led by the Dabbawalas to avoid food wastage. Under it, the dabbawalas have set up a dedicated call centre where people can inform if they have excess food. It would be collected and distributed to homeless people who don’t have any kind of food security at all.
Over 44,000 running enthusiasts participate in #MumbaiMarathon this morning. pic.twitter.com/6TtyRXanXE
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) January 21, 2018
Members of the Mumbai Dabbawala Association (MDA) took part in the marathon to sensitise people about the initiative.
Now is that post the Mumbai Marathon or a protest against the Marathon? pic.twitter.com/aZG1uV7aI1
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) January 21, 2018
“We want to sensitise people about this Roti Bank concept and as a part of it, the association participated in the marathon,” said Subhash Talekar, spokesperson of the association.
Mumbai Marathon!
Started in 2004, it’s the 14th edition and it’s the one where I broke all personal records. The longest streak, for not participating in a marathon. I hope it continues. Thanks for the kind wishes.— Mangalam Maloo (@blitzkreigm) January 21, 2018
The association, whose members deliver around two lakh tiffins across the metropolis, collected unused food packets distributed during the marathon to be given to the needy people. The association also claimed to have cleaned the marathon route where participants threw used water bottles.
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Meanwhile, Solomon Deksisa and Amane Gobena made it a double delight for Ethiopia in the $405,000 prized Tata Mumbai Marathon on Sunday, January 21 by clinching the respective men’s and women’s races.
We look forward to another day of celebrating our city’s spirit, stamina, power & endurance together with you Mumbai! #MumbaiMarathon #WithYouMumbai pic.twitter.com/o4nDYwhWrQ
— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) January 20, 2018
Deksisa clocked 2 hours, 9 minutes, 34 secs off the course record of 2:08:35, while his compatriot Shumet crossed the finish line in 2:10:00 despite being in hot pursuit of the lead runner over the last seven kms as she tried to catch up.
