Your food has arrived,and it’s a woman delivering it

And it was no easy task. “At first,we were laughed at,with people saying that this profession is only for men. However,after a lot of search,we came across Vinita,” Bharadwaj says. “It took us one-and-a-half years to find a ‘delivery woman’ but once Vinita joined,four more signed up in quick succession. We have three women in our ranks,but one more is to join soon.”

Vinita Bhanitale,the first woman to join the team,says,“I used to work for McDonalds when I heard that tastykhana.com was looking for delivery women. The idea seemed interesting and I joined the team.” There were teething problems,though. She objected to wearing pants,which was the uniform for the delivery team,but then they were soon resolved.

She soon learned to enjoy the job. “People used to ask me how I could do it; whether I wasn¿t afraid. The truth is that it took some time getting used to,but now I am completely comfortable with my job. My bosses have also helped me a lot. For example,if any customer misbehaves with me I report it immediately to them and they take the necessary action.”

Poonam Parshuram Sakpul,who used to work for tastykhana.com but had left it for studies,says she will be rejoining soon. “The only problem we face is in finding the correct address. Apart from that,it’s an easy job.”

The customers,though surprised on seeing their food being delivered by a woman,have generally been enthusiastic. “We have received a lot of compliments from our clientele,” Bharadwaj says. “Many have congratulated me and have been happy on seeing a woman delivering their food,” adds Bhanitale.

Tastykhana.com has only two criteria for women willing to join its delivery team. “They should have their own vehicles and mobile phones. The petrol and phone bills will be reimbursed by us,” Bharadwaj says. Their only complaint is that more women have not signed up. “Three women in a city as populated as Pune is a pitiful number. We hope more women will see Vinita and company at work,and will join the profession,” he adds.