Mumbai’s famed dabbawalas mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

The Mumbai Dabbawala Association mourned the demise of the longest-serving monarch of the UK, Queen Elizabeth II.

Subhash Talekar, the chairman of the association said that the Mumbai dabbawala has had a very close relationship with British Royal Family ever since Prince Charles visited India.

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

The dabbawalas are a lunchbox delivery and return system that delivers hot lunches from homes and restaurants to people at work in India, especially in Mumbai. The lunchboxes are picked up in the morning, delivered predominantly using bicycles and railway trains, and returned empty in the afternoon.

More than 200,000 lunchboxes are delivered and returned each day in Mumbai with almost 100% precision.

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Queen Elizabeth II as he hailed her “inspiring leadership”.

Taking to Twitter, the Prime Minister recalled his memorable meetings with the Queen during his UK visits in 2015 and 2018.

“I will never forget her warmth and kindness. During one of the meetings, she showed me the handkerchief Mahatma Gandhi gifted her on her wedding. I will always cherish that gesture,” PM Modi tweeted.

“She provided inspiring leadership to her nation and people. She personified dignity and decency in public life. Pained by her demise. My thoughts are with her family and people of the UK in this sad hour,” he said in a subsequent tweet.

The longest-serving monarch of the UK, Queen Elizabeth II breathed her last at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday at the age of 96.

Buckingham Palace issued a statement announcing the demise of the Queen on September 8. The statement referred to the Queen’s eldest son, Prince of Wales, Charles as the new King ascending over the queen who reigned for 70 years and 7 months.

“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family. We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world,” the statement said.