Why Mitti Cafe is so Special?

A non profit organization committed to the cause of employment and livelihoods for people with special needs. We works towards economic independence and dignity for adults with physical, intellectual and psychiatric disabilities and persons from other vulnerable communities. The organisation’s outreach initiatives also help create awareness about inclusion and disability rights.

Source: https://www.mitticafe.org/

Mitti Cafe isn’t just a cafe like the others. A stream of emotions hits you the moment you step here, the people you meet, the beverages you sip, and the snacks you eat, Every time you visit, you wanna spend more time observing the specially-abled people working swiftly to serve you as diligently as possible.

Location: Rastrapati Bhavan (toward the museum side)

Price: Reasonable

Serves: Snacks and beverages

Type: NGO, A startup to support specially abled

Ambience: All glass structure (both inside and outside sitting spaces)

On the first day of the opening of Amrit Udyan (previously Mughal Garden), fortunately, I was in Delhi with a ticket to attend the first show (at 10 AM). I don’t know why I couldn’t visit there (opens for two months i.e. Feb and March) earlier even after my 6.5-year stay in Delhi. So, as soon as a friend of mine expressed his desire to visit there, I booked the tickets even before he hung up the call. After admiring the aroma of the different kinds of flowers, both Indigenous and exotic, planted and nourished with utmost care in the President’s garden, we still had some time left and hence, we decided to visit the famous Rastrapati Bhawan Museum.

We booked the ticket instantly, passed the security check-in and were on the way to the museum when we came across this cafe, situated on our left-hand side. Hungry as we were, we stepped inside to satiate our appetite. Prima facia, we took it like another cafe, fancy and costly and hence, decided that we’d have something light here, enough to keep the mice of the stomach alive. However, as soon as we entered, we were surprised as well as delighted to see the ambience inside.

It took us some time to understand the cafe. It was decorated as aesthetically as possible, surrounded by the glass structure on three sides, allowing the sunlight to garner the person sitting inside in the winter. The cafe was sparsely populated. There was a sense of calmness in every calculated move made by specially-abled people, whether at the reception or the ones preparing the dishes, or those who were serving. It was a unique experience. Deep within, I saluted them. What a beautiful way of achieving self-sufficiency. Even when they’re not standing on your feet, in actuality, they’re standing on it. The life met its purpose. I felt contented and Happy. I stood to observe the things minutely.

One needs a strong will to turn ideas into reality, and to make a difference irrespective of your body shape, size or colour. It was proved by the founder. There are many examples around. Srikanth (played by Rajkumar Rao in the movie of the same name) is another example of it.

The emotion tasted more than the food served to us. I didn’t want to leave the place. I wished to have a book in my hand or my diary to read or scribble while sitting there indefinitely. Alas, they didn’t allow anything inside. Perhaps someday at a different outlet of the same cafe. Yes, there are more than 45 cafes in corporate or public spaces.

I left the cafe with a heavy heart but feeling inspired. The time spent at Mitti Cafe will be cherished forever. Truly, it’s the epitome of inclusion as its tagline says!

©Shashank

P.S. I’ve included the links to book the tickets within the post. Do visit the website of Mitti Cafe to learn more and donate to this noble cause. Let me know what you feel about it.