Mumbai's Famous Dabbawalas Celebrate King Charles III's Coronation with Puneri Turbans and Shawls
Key Highlights :
Mumbai's iconic Dabbawalas recently celebrated the upcoming coronation of King Charles III with Puneri turbans and shawls of the Warkari community. According to Mumbai Dabbawalas' spokesperson Vishnu Kaldoke, they were invited to a celebratory event held in Mumbai's Taj Mahal Palace by the British Deputy High Commission on May 2.
The Mumbai Dabbawala Association has had a close relationship with the British royal family since Prince Charles visited India in 2003. On that occasion, the Dabbawalas had the honour of meeting the Prince at Mumbai's Churchgate station. Two years later, in 2005, two Dabbawalas were even invited to the royal wedding of Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles.
In honour of King Charles' upcoming coronation, the Dabbawalas decided to buy Puneri turbans and shawls of the Warkari community as gifts for the King. Speaking to ANI, Kaldoke said, “Mumbai Dabbawalas have had good relations with the British royalty. Two dabbawalas were invited to his wedding. It was an honour for us. He is about to become the King. So, we want to present King Charles with Puneri Pagadi and a shawl of the Warkari community.”
The coronation ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey, London, and will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. According to the official website of the royal family, the coronation will “reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry”.
The formal celebrations will begin with a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey with viewing areas along the route. In a break from tradition, Charles and Camilla will be in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach rather than Gold State Coach.
The Mumbai Dabbawalas' gesture of gifting Puneri turbans and shawls to King Charles III is a beautiful example of India's diverse culture and its strong ties to the British royal family. It is also a testament to the Dabbawalas' commitment to honouring the royal family and celebrating special occasions with traditional Indian gifts. We hope that King Charles III loves and appreciates the Dabbawalas' gesture and that the coronation is a momentous occasion for all.
