I Have Space (IHS), Amazon Flex, the Delivery Service Partner (DSP) network and Amazon Logistics (AMZL)…what do they have in common? All of these are programs within Amazon India’s Last Mile Operations, which have not only enabled us to reach customers in 100% of India’s serviceable pin codes, but also helped us create hundreds of thousands of jobs in a variety of different ways for people across the country.
The Last Mile network has expanded significantly in the recent past, which means creation of more jobs and the transformation of the lives of thousands more of our delivery partners.
Prakash Rochlani, Director – Last Mile, Amazon India Operations, gave us a first-hand account of what it’s been like leading the business that’s helping impact the lives of so many while also enabling us to serve customers across the nation.
"I’ve been a part of the Last Mile team for about 9 months now, and it’s been a fantastic experience so far. Every day is a new and exciting day. After I visit a Last Mile station and meet the folks who bring smiles to our customers every day, I dance into work every morning for the next few weeks until the next visit! The excitement of our delivery partners and associates is very contagious.
It’s difficult to fully describe the experience sitting here in my air-conditioned office in this high-rise building. One must meet our Delivery Associates and partners in person to really know the kind of impact we’ve been able to have on their lives.
Over the past few months, as we’d been gearing up for the Great Indian Festival, I got the chance to meet some of our delivery partners, and hearing their experiences working with us has greatly encouraged me.
For example, I met a woman IHS partner in a very small grocery store, who told me that after her kids leave for school in the morning, she manages the store for about three hours. During this time, her husband delivers packages for us. With just three hours a day of delivering Amazon packages, the family has been able to double their monthly income! She was so happy that she and her husband are now able to send their kids to better schools and their family’s quality of life has improved.
I met another lady who’s working with us through Amazon Flex. For the first time in her life, she’s been able to step out and make a living, and help contribute to a better life for her family. She delivers packages for four hours a day, after her child leaves for school. All she needed was the convenience of choosing the hours that work for her, and that’s what we’ve been able to offer with Amazon Flex. This has transformed the entire family’s life.
There are so many more stories like these. Something I hear often from our delivery partners is how, because of these jobs, they’ve been able to send their children to good schools, and comfortably buy all their books and uniforms. Our delivery partners have gained more respect in their communities, and are being able to walk with their heads held high. The experience has been moving, exciting, humbling, heartening, and so much more. Like I said, it’s difficult to describe the experience in words.
It's these kind of stories that keep me energized and motivated to give it my best every single day."
