CJI inaugurates Mitti Cafe’s SC outlet, urges lawyers to back special initiative

Mitti Cafe, a unique initiative that is managed entirely by individuals with disabilities and already has 38 outlets across India, has now opened a branch within the premises of the Supreme Court. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud inaugurated the SC outlet of Mitti Cafe on Friday (November 10).

An initiative of the Mitti Social Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organisation, the enterprise aims to promote inclusivity and provide employment opportunities to the social group with special needs. Individuals who manage the cafe have disabilities such as visual impairment, cerebral palsy, and paraplegia.

While inaugurating the cafe, the CJI lauded the excellent work done by the members of the Mitti Foundation during the COVID-19 pandemic. They provided more than 6 million meals to the needy. “These cafe members served 6 million meals during COVID. All who are managing it are disabled. I hope all the lawyers support this initiative,” CJI Chandrachud said.

Attorney General R Venkatramani also praised the initiative and described it as a “wonderful act of compassion”, a statement released by the foundation after the inauguration said.

Promoting diversity, challenging stereotypes

Since its inception in 2017, Mitti Cafe has set up 38 outlets across India, including locations such as Bangalore Airport, Mumbai International Airport, and various multinational corporations. The cafe employs individuals with disabilities, offering catering and gifting solutions, with a special focus on providing nutritious meals to the underprivileged, the statement said.

“Beyond being a cafe, Mitti Cafe symbolizes a transformative platform dedicated to fostering inclusivity and providing meaningful employment opportunities for a demographic often marginalized in the traditional job market,” the foundation said in the statement while expressing gratitude to the CJI for his gesture.

“This collaboration with the Supreme Court not only breaks down societal stigmas but also signifies a commitment to promoting diversity, challenging stereotypes, and showcasing the remarkable talents within the disability community,” the NGO further said.

The emphasis of the initiative is on inclusivity going “beyond jobs, aiming to instil purpose, dignity, and economic independence among individuals with special needs, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable professional landscape”.

It is worth mentioning that CJI Chandrachud, too, has two daughters with special needs, whom he adopted when he was serving as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court.