President Patil explains Maharashtra tableau to South Korean counterpart
January 26th, 2010 - 1:11 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) Maharashtra’s “dabbawalas” (tiffin carriers) caught the immediate attention of President Pratibha Patil as the state’s tableau rolled down Rajpath during the Republic Day parade Tuesday and she pointed out its nuances to her South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak, who was the chief guest on the occassion.
Patil, who belongs to Maharashtra, leaned to her right to explain to Lee how the “dabbawalas”, clad in spotless white, deliver thousands of meals in south Mumbai on every working and then return the tiffin carriers to their point of origin, with hardly any going astray.
The “dabbawalas”, on their part, danced to the tune of “Mumbai ka dabbe wala, dabbe wala” as the tableau passed down Rajpath.
Heavy Industries Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, a former Maharashtra chief minister, was also seen explainig the “dabbawalas” concept to those seated around him.
The “dabbawalas” institution dates back 125 years and this is the first time they are featuring at the Republic Day parade. The community comprises 5,000 men.
- Military might, colours of India unfold at R-Day parade - Jan 26, 2010
- South Korean President to be Republic Day 2010 chief guest - Jan 15, 2010
- Parade to mark 60 proud years of India as republic - Jan 25, 2010
- United colours of India unfurl again this R-Day (Roundup) - Jan 26, 2010
- Mumbai dabbawalas to take out tableau on Republic Day - Jan 22, 2010
- South Korean President to arrive in New Delhi on Sunday - Jan 22, 2010
- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak arrives on a four-day State visit - Jan 24, 2010
- Thai PM chief guest at Republic Day - Jan 26, 2012
- President Patil awards Ashok Chakras on R-Day - Jan 26, 2010
- PM returns after Seoul visit - Mar 28, 2012
- Security to be tightened across Delhi for Republic Day - Jan 21, 2010
- US to send aircraft carrier to Korean Peninsula waters - Nov 25, 2010
- Chinese, South Korean presidents meet on ties - Mar 26, 2012
- Sonia missing at R-Day functions - Jan 26, 2011
- Sonia unwell, skips Republic Day functions (Lead) - Jan 26, 2011
Tags: chief guest, dabbawalas, dabbe, heavy industries, industries minister, korean counterpart, lee myung bak, maharashtra chief minister, New Delhi, nuances, occassion, point of origin, president pratibha patil, republic day, south korean, south mumbai, tableau, tiffin, vilasrao deshmukh
