The diagram above depicts a sample
set of icons that are marked on a 'dabba'. These icons help to identify
the pickup and delivery points and also contain codes that help the different
groups of 'dabbawallas' to identify their set of 'dabbas' at each leg of
the journey.
These icons have been evolved because of the need of berivity. Also many
of the 'dabbawallas' are illiterate and cannot follow written names and
addresses, but the icon system - of symbols and colour codes - works for
all. Since each set of 'dabbawallas' transport the 'dabbas' for only a part
of the journey, these icons also help the sorting of the 'dabbas' at each
juncture before they make the onward journey. |
