As we all know the rise of technology and internet has provided wings to the ambitions of its youth. It has provided them with a unique platform and many opportunities to convert their ideas and dreams into reality. Tilak Mehta ,a 13-year-old is such an example, who is fully utilizing the technology to turn his dreams into reality. Tilak is a budding entrepreneur who has started a logistic start-up. He convinced his uncle Ghanshyam Parekh to leave his job and join him as a CEO in his start-up. He also asked the famous dabbawalas network to help him with last-mile distribution at the cheapest rates.
Tilak narrated how and when the idea to launch his own start-up came to his mind. He said, “Last year, I wanted a few books from the other end of the city urgently. My father came home tired after a day’s work, and so I could not ask him and there was nowhere to go.” This is when an idea to commence a start-up solely dedicated to delivering papers and small parcels within the Mumbai city with guaranteed one-day delivery started developing in his mind. He further narrates, “I was thinking about this for days and when I saw a dabbawala in my building, the idea for Papers N Parcel struck. I always marveled at the swiftness and the efficiency of the dabbawala’s food delivery network, and I wondered if the network could be used to allow deliveries of even non-food items.” Tilak shared this idea with his father who quickly understood the importance of his son’s idea. His father assisted in turning his boy’s dream into reality. The teenager did a proper research of the concept and did beta testing over four months before officially launching it on 18 July 2018. Tilak said, “Papers N Parcels (PNP) is my dream and I will work to ensure that the business becomes big”
Tilak also revealed that, “During our beta testing phase, we have successfully carried out many transactions. We have thousands of retail and corporate giants as our customers, and see a daily volume of close to 1,000 to 1,200 requests, which we expect to increase to 2,000-5,000 in next six months.”
In order to get Papers N Parcels (PNP) services one is required to install PNP app from google play-store or app store. Any customer by logging on to the app can place an order for the delivery. Right now PNP employs 200 individuals of its own and also have 300 dabbawalas as its partners, through whom PNP is managing up to 1,200 deliveries. PNP handles parcels up to 3 kg and charges Rs 40 to 180 per parcel depending on the wait.
Tilak said, “By using the existing dabbawala network, we give world-class service at the best prices. You can also make multiple scheduled deliveries and choose from three convenient time slots.”
Dabbawala Association spokesperson Subhash Talekar said, “Our association has not officially tied up with PNP and it’s up to an individual Dabbawala to associate with them. I think it will give them (Dabbawalas) an additional income.”
Tilak’s uncle and CEO of PNP Ghanashyam Parekh said they are also planning to expand PNP service in other large metro political cities and also in Delhi.
Tilak’s example is enough to prove that a lot can be achieved these days with technology and properly utilizing human resource. If you can dream it, you can achieve it. If technology is properly utilized it can change lives. Technology not only makes people’s life easier but it can also make people self-dependent.