Summary
Hangout spot reopens after a pandemic break
JU ex-student Rishav Baidya is the brain behind the cafe
A few logs standing upright, some morrahs thrown here and there, a rope swing and warm lighting — all this and more next to a small waterbody. This is what Cafe Adda Paar, a cafe joint situated opposite Jadavpur University Gate 4, looks like. The simple decor makes it a peaceful nook away from all the buzz of university life.
Rishav Baidya, the brain behind the cafe, is a 2020 Bengali postgraduate student of Jadavpur University. After completing his studies, he set up this hangout place in November 2020, but the café had to shut down because of the lockdown. Rishav reopened its gate recently and re-decorated the place, creating the perfect mood for some adda over tea.
Rishav had started the cafe with his savings. The empty plot of land used to be a roadside shack. “One of my earlier workers owned a small tea stall here. I trained my staff. They are 5 now. I have picked up these skills on my own, from people around me,” said Rishav who started this venture with the help of his friend Rishi Chakraborty, a 27-year-old singer. He also received help from other students of Jadavpur University.
“I always wanted to start a food joint ever since I was a kid. I grew up in a rural area, hence Rishav and I tried to reflect that in our work here, with the interiors of the café,” said Rishi.
The menu is as simple as its decor --- fried fish, chicken pakodas, sandwiches, chaats, kebabs, dumplings, and meals like fried rice and chili chicken. Rishav plans on expanding the menu as well as the interiors of the cafe.
Rishav Baidya, the brain behind the cafe, is a 2020 Bengali postgraduate student of Jadavpur University. Amit Datta
“Nowadays almost everyone goes to cafes to spend time with friends. During my college days we did not have so much pocket money. We used to sit at a roadside stall. I tried to bring these two experiences together, one where you can sit in a cafe but not spend too much money. Whatever you can see right now is only 40% of the work that has been done. Not only the cafe, but we have also planned to start a small educational programme for the kids living in the slums nearby,” Rishav said.
The cafe remains open from 7am to 11pm, on all days.
Last updated on 29 Nov 2021
