Targeting commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew and impeding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is "unacceptable", India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Parvathaneni Harish has said, stressing that international law governing safe passage must be "fully respected"
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Tried and Tested: I used this hair dryer for 30 days, and it has changed the way I dry my frizzy hairI have used Croma hair dryer for over three weeks
The story so far: Russia-based hackers targeted high-profile users in Germany, according to reports from the German media over the past few weeks. Der Spiegel reported that 300 Signal accounts belonging to politically connected individuals were attacked. On May 7
Fitness coach shares realistic rules he would follow to lose 30 lbs of stubborn belly fat without extreme dietingFrom protein intake to walking daily, here’s a breakdown of realistic rules that you can follow to lose 30 lbs of stubborn belly fat. Published on: May 17
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed more than 80 as authorities warned there was no vaccine for the strain in a crisis that the World Health Organization declared an international health emergency on Sunday (May 17, 2026)
Coimbatore’s Kovai Delivery Boys team launches an app to ring in 10 year celebrations
Coimbatore’s Kovai Delivery Boys team launches an app to ring in 10 year celebrations
Before e-commerce giants like Swiggy and Zomato became synonymous with the delivery services ecosystem, such tasks were usually entrusted to local services operating within a limited radius. Even as the big players continue to hold sway over the sector, smaller, independent services continue to hold their own, one of them being Kovai Delivery Services — Coimbatore's very own Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto and Porter rolled into one — handling everything from restaurant deliveries to groceries and miscellaneous packages.
At the helm is David Raja, who runs the service from his office in Ram Nagar, with delivery executives stationed at the city's major hubs from RS Puram to SITRA. Deliveries are priced at ₹80 for the first five kilometres, with an additional ₹15 per extra kilometre. David launched Kovai Delivery Boys in 2016, and has remained in business amidst the entry of bigger players in the market, even coming out with a mobile app in 2023. Entering its tenth year, David reflects on a decade's journey, its various challenges, setbacks, and comebacks.
Before he decided to strike it out on his own, David, a commerce graduate, was working as an accountant at a private firm, where work hours began at 8 in the morning and lasted until 10 in the night. It was a gruelling schedule with very little in terms of rewards. “It then became a question of what I could take up that would make a difference,” he says adding that it was then that the idea of a local delivery service, one that would handle orders ranging from restaurants to grocery stores and supermarkets, occurred. In a sense, one could say he was ahead of the curve when he entered the market. David recalls how in the initial days, he would handle all the deliveries himself on his two-wheeler. “There were no apps back then, only a phone number that the client would use to place orders,” he adds. With positive feedback , he was soon able to expand his operations, and had a fleet of around 30 delivery executives. “We've never relied on advertising campaigns or anything of that sort. There was always enough word-of-mouth to keep us going,” says the founder.
Among those who joined David when he opened his delivery service is N Vignesh, who has remained with the company over its nine years. “The fact that we have fixed work timings — with an hour in between for lunch break — and no delivery targets to achieve is what sets us apart from the other businesses,” he says. It all seemed smooth sailing until the delivery apps, Swiggy and Zomato among the most prominent, made their entrance in the city. The apps literally brought a whole plethora of options, right from the choice of restaurant to the particular dish, at one's fingertips. This essentially became a body blow for David, who had nurtured a loyal team. “At first, it was the clients who left us; not long after, we lost more than half our staff to these platforms. Business really took a hit. Those days were the toughest,” David says, looking back to those times when business had slowed down to the extent where he was barely making ₹300 a day in deliveries. But giving up simply wasn't an option for him.
The team handles everything from restaurant deliveries and groceries to miscellaneous packages and more | Photo Credit: Siva Saravanan S
However, it wasn't long before things began to get better. At the height of the pandemic, when people were largely confined to their homes, demand for delivery executives began to skyrocket.
“Infection rates were at their peak, and there were strict curbs on venturing outside. This led to higher demand for delivery executives to deliver essentials. Since people across sectors, even in the police sector, were dependent on delivery executives to an extent where the big players couldn't afford to meet, we found ourselves back in business,” says David. Furthermore, there was considerable disenchantment among gig workers towards the larger platforms, which also contributed to many, including several of his own former staff, jumping camp.
If employees like Vignesh have resisted the lure of the bigger players in the business, it is for good reason. “The incentives are better compared to the other delivery platforms, and so are the working conditions,” he said. Several of the company's long time staff have also had their loyalty rewarded. S Rangadurai, who joined the firm in 2018 as a delivery executive, now heads a team of 10 delivery executives. “There are five such heads in the company, each in charge of teams of anywhere between 10to 15 executives,” says Rangadurai.
Realising he had to up his game a little more, David launched the Kovai Delivery Boys app in 2023. “Unlike the big players, we hardly have investors willing to pour the funds required, and I've had to take out loans to roll this out,” he added. While the app has the usual options for food delivery from a plethora of restaurants, it goes beyond just that: users can book appliance repairs, home painting, and even packing and moving services. And it now has a workforce of around 50 to 60 delivery executives, which includes full-time employees as well as part timers.
David's perseverance seems to have paid off in the long run. His delivery executives now make upwards of ₹1,000 a day in deliveries, but the fight is far from over for him. The app, he feels, hasn't yet found the wide reach he'd like for it to, and telephone orders have formed the bulk of his business. “Orders via our app are only about 20%,” he admits. That's the other turnaround David is betting on.
You can download Kovai Delivery Boys app ( on playstore) and Vickee Kovai Delivery BOYS Vickee ( on Apple i store) or call 9944205765/ 9787351919
Published - October 06, 2025 04:56 pm IST
The Hindu MetroPlus / people / society / social services
Source: TheHindu
Related Posts: Swiggy doubled operating loss in H1 on quick commerce spends Quick commerce fight intensifies as Swiggy Zepto’s IPO set to put quick-commerce giants under market scrutiny Hyderabad Doctor On Alarming Rise In Diseases Due To ‘Swiggy-Zomato Culture’ Zomato, Swiggy face Rs 180-200 crore GST hit Zomato, Swiggy agents in Anushka Sharma's ‘happy faces’ clip after RCB win Zomato, Swiggy hike delivery workers’ incentives amid unions’ call for strike on New Year’s Eve Zomato, Swiggy Users Were Crying Over ‘Rain Fee Under GST 2 US Commerce chief confirms South Korea's 15% tariff rate retroactive to November 1 Trump’s commerce secretary Howard Lutnick had years of contact with Epstein
Indian woman explains why Florida feels impossible to leave after 5 years: ‘Once someone comes here…’An Indian woman in the US said life in Florida made her feel she could not move to any other state. Published on: May 17, 2026 2:28 PM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share via Copy link An
1 hours ago
Tilak Varma, the young Indian cricketer who plays for Mumbai Indians and the Indian team, is once again at the centre of dating rumours involving Telugu actress Sreeleela after a viral video featuring Suryakumar Yadav sparked fresh speculation online. The clip, now going viral across Reddit
4 hours ago
Indian-origin CEO announces layoffs at $3.4 billion US startup: ‘Difficult day’Healthtech unicorn Innovaccer, led by Abhinav Shashank, has carried out a fresh round of layoffs as it moves towards an AI-native structure. Updated on: May 17, 2026 11:04 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link
4 hours ago
On May 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s motorcade drove through Gujarat’s Jamnagar, a town known for housing the world’s largest oil refinery. Videos showed hundreds of Bharatiya Janata Party supporters lining the route, waving party flags and cheering.On May 10
4 hours ago
At least eight people were killed and 25 others injured after a train collision triggered a fire that engulfed a public bus in Bangkok on Saturday (May 16, 2026), rescue officials and police said. Firefighters and rescue crews were dispatched as flames engulfed the bus
4 hours ago
‘This day is my favourite’: Indian man praises UK corporate culture after painting zoo railings with colleaguesAn Indian man shared how UK Volunteer Day culture gave him a chance to try painting and bond with colleagues. Published on: May 17
4 hours ago
Gurugram-based logistics services provider has elevated six senior executives to C-suite roles as the company looks to strengthen its leadership team amid expansion across business verticals. The company said in a stock exchange filing that the appointments are effective immediately
4 hours ago
Former couple Mouni Roy and Suraj Nambiar announced that they were going their separate ways earlier this week. Fans noticed that they are now following each other again on Instagram. Before Mouni Roy and Suraj Nambiar announced their separation
4 hours ago
You know a dish is interesting when it makes you stop and think, “Wait, why have I never eaten this combination before?" That’s exactly what Amritsari Chole Baozi feels like. Imagine soft, fluffy bao buns stuffed with spicy Punjabi chole, topped with pickled onions and mint mayo, comforting
4 hours ago
Manipur deputy chief ministers key negotiators in abduction crisisThe two leaders are engaging with their respective communities to secure the safe return of at least 20 abducted people, officials said. Published on: May 17, 2026 11:07 AM IST By Prawesh Lama
4 hours ago
Foxtail millets idli recipe: Give a delicious and healthy spin to this South Indian staple with Sanjeev Kapoor' recipeFoxtail millet, a nutritious grain from India, is used in various dishes. Chef Sanjeev Kapoor shares a recipe for idlis using foxtail millet and urad dal. Updated on: May 17
4 hours ago
The Israeli military on Saturday (May 16, 2026) confirmed that Ezzedine Al-Haddad, chief of Hamas' armed wing, was killed in an air strike in Gaza the day before. "The IDF and the ISA announce that yesterday, in a precise strike in the area of the City of Gaza
4 hours ago
An Iranian state television presenter fired a shot at the flag of the United Arab Emirates during a live firearms training broadcast, in a dramatic moment amid rising regional tensions and the increasingly militarised messaging on Iranian state media
4 hours ago
Donald Trump’s White House ballroom funding hits US Senate roadblockA Republican plan to earmark federal funding for President Donald Trump’s planned ballroom hit at least a temporary roadblock Saturday in the US Senate. Updated on: May 17, 2026 10:31 AM IST Bloomberg Share via Copy link A
4 hours ago
Virat Kohli, who has retired from Tests and T20Is but remains a cornerstone in the 50-over format, opened up on playing the ODI World Cup 2027, amid the ongoing IPL 2026 season. In a candid and fiercely honest revelation, Indian batting great Virat Kohli has finally broken his silence on the
4 hours ago
Some people wake up early to work out. Others wake up early purely for good breakfast, and honestly, that feels like the better life choice. Because there’s something deeply satisfying about starting the day with great coffee, buttery croissants, perfectly runny eggs
4 hours ago
A Reddit post shared by a CBSE Class 12 student has started a wider conversation online about pressure from parents after board exam results. The student claimed their father reacted harshly after seeing the marks, leading to both emotional and physical punishment at home
4 hours ago
China’s Ministry of Commerce said that Beijing and Washington had reached an agreement covering the purchase of US aircraft as well as the supply of jet engines and aviation components to China, marking a major breakthrough during US President Donald Trump’s state visit
4 hours ago
Weekly Tarot Horoscope for May 17–23, 2026: Karmic awakenings, some momentum, and emotional resets may all be arrivingWeekly Tarot Horoscope: Read your tarot prediction for May 17-23, 2026. Published on: May 17, 2026 10:00 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link Aries This week asks you to
4 hours ago
It is just past noon at the crescent-shaped Palolem beach on the southern tip of Goa's long, sandy coastline. The sun is blinding hot, but that has not deterred the tourist hordes from splashing about in the ocean. The beachside shacks and cheap backpacker hotels hugging the bay in the state often
4 hours ago
India’s anti-narcotics agencies have made a landmark breakthrough after seizing the country’s first-ever consignment of Captagon, a highly controversial amphetamine-based drug often referred to as the “Jihadi drug" in an operation that has gone viral online
4 hours ago
Chaturvedi said, "Actually, it's not just one suicide; there are three such suicides that have taken place. And yes, I agree with what Rahul Gandhi is saying, because these are murders committed by the Government of India by totally disregarding the mental stress and mental agony of lakhs of
4 hours ago
IMD to revamp heatwave alerts, introduce percentile-based thresholds for first timeUnder the new framework, a heat alert will be triggered when maximum temperatures exceed the 95th percentile for a given location. Updated on: May 17, 2026 10:56 AM IST By Jayashree Nandi Share via Copy link
4 hours ago
Aditi Rao Hydari serves regal glamour at Cannes in a breathtaking green gown and statement silhouetteAditi Rao Hydari served a high-fashion red carpet look at Cannes 2026 with a green draped couture gown that took the internet by storm. Let’s decode her look. Published on: May 17
4 hours ago
India’s external affairs ministry on Saturday rejected an award reportedly issued by a court of arbitration about maximum pondage at Indian hydroelectric projects on the Indus river system, calling it null and void. Pondage refers to water that accumulates behind the dam of a run-of-the-river
4 hours ago
Bengal: Major anti-encroachment drive conducted to clear out Howrah station areaBengal: Major anti-encroachment drive conducted to clear out Howrah station area Published on: May 17, 2026 11:17 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link Kolkata, A massive anti-encroachment drive was carried out outside Howrah
4 hours ago
Actor Rajinikanth on Sunday broke his silence on actor-turned-politician Vijay becoming the state’s chief minister, saying he was “extremely shocked" by the development. Addressing reporters at his Poes Garden residence in Chennai, Rajinikanth said he felt compelled to clarify his position
4 hours ago
![Saran (Bihar) [India], May 17 (ANI): Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Sunday said the group has placed “additional emphasis](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/adani-group-ramps-up-bihar-infra-focus.webp?width=120&height=70)
