Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud took a significant step towards fostering inclusivity by inaugurating the ‘Mitti Cafe’ on the Supreme Court premises on Friday.
Operated by an NGO focused on creating employment opportunities for individuals with special needs, Mitti Cafe has garnered praise and gratitude from various quarters.
Advocate Priya Hingorani, instrumental in bringing the cafe to the Supreme Court, expressed thanks to CJI DY Chandrachud and the court for their support.
Encouraging the legal community’s backing for this initiative, the CJI highlighted the significance of the cafe’s workforce, all of whom have disabilities.
“I hope the bar will support the initiative,” remarked the CJI, emphasizing the meaningful employment provided to individuals with disabilities.
Attorney General R Venkataramani lauded the cafe as a “symbol of great compassion,” recognizing its positive impact.
This brand of cafes, with 41 operational outlets across India, has not only provided meals but also employment opportunities, having served six million meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. The NGO’s work, commencing in 2017, has been dedicated to creating job opportunities for differently-abled individuals.
Despite existing canteens and cafeterias catering to the needs of lawyers and litigants at the court, the introduction of Mitti Cafe marks a notable move towards inclusivity and support for individuals with special needs on the Supreme Court premises.
