King Charles III Coronation: Mumbai Dabbawalas Send 'Puneri Pagadi', Traditional Stole As Gifts

Mumbai's famous dabbawalas have sent King Charles III unique gifts of 'Puneri Pagadi' headgear and 'Uparne' stoles before his coronation ceremony in London on May 6.?

The 'Puneri Pagadi' headgear is a symbol of pride and honor introduced in the 19th century in the city of Pune in Maharashtra, while the 'Uparne' is a traditional stole worn by men during ceremonial occasions.

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The Dabbawalas, known for their globally acclaimed lunchbox delivery and return system, deliver hot lunches from homes and restaurants to people at their workplaces.

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Ramdas Karwande, president of the Mumbai Dabbawala Sanghatana, revealed to PTI that the dabbawalas did not receive an invitation to the coronation ceremony of King Charles III.

However, the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai did invite some office-bearers for a function at the Taj Hotel, where they presented the traditional 'Puneri Pagadi' headgear and 'Uparne' stole to the authorities.

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These gifts will be delivered to King Charles during his coronation ceremony.

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Karwande recalled how two members of the dabbawala association were invited to the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005, where they sent a Maharashtrian turban and a nine-yard sari.?

This time, the dabbawalas were felicitated at the function in the Taj Hotel, and Karwande conveyed his good wishes to King Charles for his coronation.

The dabbawalas, famous for their lunchbox delivery and return system, have a long-standing relationship with the British royal family.

Prince Charles had met the dabbawalas during his visit to India in 2003 and praised their accuracy, punctuality, and work culture. Forbes magazine even gave them a 'Six Sigma efficiency rating in 1998.

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The Mumbai Dabbawala Association paid a heartfelt tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving British monarch, following her death at the age of 96 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland in 2022.

"Mumbai Dabbawala Association has had a very close relationship with British Royal Family ever since Prince Charles visited India. We're very sad to hear about the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and all Dabbawalas pray that her soul rests in peace," Subhash Talekar, Association Chairman, had then said.

Over 1,500 dabbawalas deliver around two lakh tiffins to office-goers in Mumbai every working day, using suburban trains to ensure timely delivery. However, many had to shift to their native places in the Pune district following the COVID-19 lockdown.

(With PTI inputs)

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