- Saturday, December 21, 2024
Droupadi Murmu cut a cake and engaged warmly with the employees to celebrate the occasion which also marked her own birthday.
By: Shubham Ghosh
IN a significant development, Mitti Cafe, a non-profit organisation in India committed to the cause of employment and livelihoods for people with special needs, opened on June 20 a new branch at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the president of India.
The day was even more special as it marked the birthday of president Droupadi Murmu who turned 66.
The cafe’s new branch was opened as a step towards fostering inclusivity and empowering individuals with disabilities. It employs more than 20 specially abled people and was inaugurated by the president herself.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by a number of dignitaries, including Rajesh Verma, secretary to the president; Rakesh Gupta, additional secretary to the president; Major General RS Manral, military secretary to the president; Ajay Kumar Singh, press Secretary to the president; Shefali Bajaj; and Kurush Irani, group head of Corporate Social Responsibility of Bajaj Finserv, an Indian non-banking financial services company.
President Murmu marked the opening of the café by cutting a cake and engaging warmly with the employees.
Her interaction with the staff underscored her commitment to creating an inclusive environment where individuals with disabilities are given equal opportunities to thrive.
The Mitti Café chain, already established in over 40 locations across India, includes outlets in corporate and public spaces such as the Supreme Court of India, airports in major cities such as Mumbai and Bengaluru, Hansraj College in Delhi, and Cytecare Hospital in Bengaluru, among others.
This outlet at Rashtrapati Bhavan follows the successful inauguration of Mitti Café’s branch at the Supreme Court of India premises by the Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, last November.
It may be noted here that president Murmu had visited the café at the Supreme Court premises, reflecting her support for the
organization’s mission.
Beyond culinary offerings, Mitti Café also provides a carefully curated selection of corporate and personal gifts, crafted by its team of adults with disabilities and suitable for various occasions, such as festivals.
The new café at Rashtrapati Bhavan is not only a testament to the potential of specially-abled people but also a significant step towards building a more inclusive society.
