Mitti Café at IIM Bangalore is more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee. It’s a powerful example of how businesses can champion inclusion and empowerment. Located on the prestigious campus of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), this café is entirely managed by a team of differently-abled individuals, showcasing their extraordinary abilities and challenging societal norms.
Mitti Café: A Beacon of Hope and Inclusion
Opened in July, Mitti Café has quickly become a symbol of inclusion and social change. This café operates with a staff made up entirely of individuals with physical, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities, demonstrating the power of diversity in action.
What Sets Mitti Café Apart?
- Differently-Abled Team: The café is run by adults with disabilities, providing them with meaningful employment and skill development opportunities.
- Social Entrepreneurship: Mitti Café is rooted in social entrepreneurship, aligning with IIM Bangalore’s commitment to inclusivity and empowering individuals from all backgrounds.
- National Recognition: With over 35 Mitti Cafés across India, including high-profile locations like Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Supreme Court of India, the initiative has garnered significant attention and acclaim.
Changing Lives: Stories from Mitti Café
Mitti Café is not just about coffee; it’s about changing lives and challenging perceptions. Here are some inspiring stories from the café’s staff:
- Lakshmi: A single mother with hearing and speech impairments, Lakshmi dreams of providing her children with an education and hopes to take them on a world tour one day.
- Dakshyani: As a mother to a visually impaired child, Dakshyani is the sole breadwinner and brings remarkable social intelligence to her role at the café.
- Toushit: Known for his exceptional brownie-making skills, Toushit has Down Syndrome and takes great pride in his work.
- Rajashekhar: With autism, Rajashekhar’s attention to detail ensures that every task is completed with precision.
- Basayya: A wheelchair user, Basayya’s humour and personal journey have touched many. His love story with Shruti, a fellow café employee, exemplifies the café’s belief in love and connection beyond boundaries.
A Lesson in Leadership and Inclusion
The presence of Mitti Café at IIM Bangalore provides a powerful lesson in leadership and inclusion. As students and faculty interact with the café’s staff, they gain firsthand experience of the passion and competence that differently-abled individuals bring to the workplace.
Impact on Students and Faculty
- Motivation for Students: Professor Rishikesha T Krishnan, Director of IIM Bangalore, believes that the café will inspire students to embrace diversity and inclusion in their future careers.
- Challenging Prejudices: The café’s presence challenges long-held prejudices and highlights the value of inclusive practices in any professional setting.
Mitti Café’s Broader Impact
Mitti Café is making waves beyond IIM Bangalore, serving as a living example of how inclusivity enriches communities and challenges misconceptions. The café aims to reverse years of marginalisation faced by people with disabilities and promotes a more empathetic society.
Influencing Public Perceptions
- Public Awareness: By showcasing the talents and capabilities of its staff, Mitti Café is influencing public perceptions about disability and inclusion.
- Catalyst for Change: The café’s success is encouraging other organisations to adopt inclusive practices and support similar initiatives.
Navigating Challenges and Embracing Opportunities
Running a café at a prestigious institution like IIM Bangalore comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. For Alina Alam, Founder-CEO of Mitti Café, this venture is a culmination of her journey in social entrepreneurship.
Establishing Mitti Café
- Full-Circle Moment: Alina’s experience at NSRCEL, IIMB’s incubation centre, played a key role in her decision to establish Mitti Café at the institute.
- Valuable Partnerships: The café’s presence opens doors to partnerships with academia, industry, and government bodies, paving the way for increased support and collaboration.
The Future of Mitti Café
Mitti Café stands as a beacon of empowerment, showcasing the abilities of differently-abled individuals and inspiring change. By tackling challenges and seizing opportunities, Mitti Café aims to spark a nationwide movement for disability inclusion.
Looking Ahead
- Nationwide Movement: The café aspires to inspire similar initiatives across the country, promoting a more inclusive world one cup of coffee at a time.
- Role Models: Its employees become role models, demonstrating that with support and opportunity, anyone can achieve greatness.
Mitti Café at IIM Bangalore is not just serving coffee; it’s brewing hope, inclusion, and empowerment. Through its impactful work, it’s proving that when we embrace diversity, we enrich our entire community.
