Dombivli-Poli Bhaji Kendra- BPO

Mumbai , " Amchi Mumbai" is echoed by not only localities but also settlers who have come from other states. Dombivli in early 1950 to late 1970 was typically Chitpavan Brahmins paradise. Local Train connectivity made it more affordable. It was in the early 80s that the population of Dombivli started to balloon. Mumbai " Bombay" then had influx of people from all corners of India. Mumbai was a dream to millions who wanted to make it big.


Middle class families settled for Dombivli for its accessibility and affordability. Not to mention the educational institutions like Tilak high school, Pendharkar college etc. which held the town reputation high. It was the working educated class which made much impact to the city's reputation. The Dombivli railway station is known for its mad rushes and the sea of people are always on the move.


This sight is worth watching at 7 am in the morning on weekdays and evening after 7 pm. There would be equal numbers of Men and Women who would jostled to catch hold of the train.This made this town unique; both husband and wife are employed.Exhausted but not lost were the people who would be determined to see the next day, with new set of hope in their heart and to see a better tomorrow, for themselves and their children. And time was the essence of every activity and that is one reason why Mumbai still is called a Fast City as compared to other metros.


The women traditional role of cooking in house was about to go with the introduction of new concept," Poli Bhaji- kendra" The first of its kind in India. I believe the first one to start was one shop just below High tension line on the Manpada Road Intersection. (before Kasturi Plaza) The unique thing about this Poli ( Wheat Flat Bread- in Marathi or Chapati as it is called popularly) was its consistency in taste, shape and thickness and it was made by less educated ladies who would put all their experience behind those tasty Poli's. This gave the less educated ladies the opportunity to utilise their skill which would be economically beneficial to them.


This poli was priced at only Rs0.75 paise and Bhaji( Dry/Wet gravy of vegetables) would be sold in Grams as a weight of measure. This was instant hit in Dombivli. People who were busy to rush to their work would now get up late instead of getting up very early in the morning. They would straight head for Station. On the way they would get packed Poli and Bhaji. Many would do the same after returning from work. And it made sense for the working class to purchase Poli Bhaji and save the cooking time.


It was a win-win situation for all; for the businessman who had this brilliant idea of setting up the Poli-Bhaji Kendra, the customers who could now utilise their time with family and lastly the poor less educated ladies who could be employed in most effective way.