Sheroes, a café, located near the Taj Mahal, is a collaborative effort between acid attack survivors and Delhi-based NGO, Chaanv Foundation, as a tribute to the courage of survivors. At the inauguration of the cafe, Sapna Bhavnani, a member of the Stop Acid Attacks Campaign, was quoted saying, “People call these survivors ‘becharis( Poor girls)’, but today, they have shown they are no less than anybody else and can achieve their own identity,” she said.
The place was inaugurated after a successful two-month trial, during which the girls got hands-on experience at various skills on operations and dealing with customers.
“We have got tremendous support from locals and learnt so many things about how to run an establishment. What really boosted our morale was when many people, who looked strangely at us earlier, came forward to praise the effort,” said Rupa, another survivor, whose creations is displayed at a boutique inside the cafe.
Initially the tourists, visiting the Taj were drawn to the cafe because of the eye-catching external graffiti created by one of the survivors.
“This place has amazing music and interiors. I happened to visit it by chance but I am so happy to have come here, at a café run by these lovely brave women,” said Alisha Nangia, a tourist from Delhi.
Harshit Raj, another tourist from Kerala, said, “I really appreciate the idea behind the endeavour. The visit to the cafe has made my tour all the more memorable.”
Sheroes, the two-floored cafe, which will rehabilitate five survivors, also houses a reading room containing various books and journals on women empowerment.
Alok Dixit, founder of the ‘Stop Acid Attack’ campaign, said that more such cafes will start across the country. This is our model project. Later, we plan to open cafes like these in Delhi, Kanpur and other parts of the country.”
By: Archa Dave
