A group of boys and girls was engrossed in chopping vegetables and readying the sandwich maker with various ingredients.
Draped in aprons that had “Appreciation is their only tips” written on them, some were readying the plates.
They could all pass off as usual workers at another Calcutta cafe. But they were not.
These were boys and girls with conditions like autism, Down syndrome and several other intellectual disabilities. They did not let their condition get the better of them.
They grabbed the “Opportunity”.
Opportunity is the cafe they run, defying many odds, on Dum Dum Road, about 300m from Dum Dum Metro station.
It is open from 8.30am to 10.30pm.
On Monday afternoon, Aritri and Nupur ushered Metro into the cafe.
Their words sounded broken at first but clear: “Bhetore asun, please (Please come inside).”
In the open kitchen just behind the reception, Sonia was slicing onions on the chopping board. Ramu was serving coffee at another table.
In their dazzling yellow T-shirts that had aprons wrapped around them, they were visiting the tables with the menu cards detailing the spread on offer: bumble burger, sandwich, veg wrap, chicken wrap, pizzas, stuffed garlic bread and other items.
The first page of the menu card said: “Dear change-bringer, there is only one small request, if there’s a little delay in some service or order, please try to be patient as they are still undergoing training and take time to adapt, unlike us.”
“Our team does not understand the worth of money like we do, and hence instead of tipping them, your precious words and appreciation are their form of currency,” the menu card advises.
Another diner, Pinaki Chakraborty, a digital marketing professional, said: “The quality of the food is on a par with any other cafe. What is additional is the warmth that I receive from the staff.”
The NGO Rescue and Relief Foundation has started the cafe. Sidhant Ghosh, who runs the NGO, said: “Those with cognitive challenges assist, the victims of child trafficking and children from red light areas do the dishes.”
The NGO runs homes to accommodate those with conditions like autism, Down syndrome and trafficking victims.
The idea of the café originated when Ramu and Bikash, two residents of the home with autism, were fired from restaurants where they worked because they were found less proficient compared to their able-bodied colleagues.
A rule of the child welfare committee which governs all homes mandates that the residents cannot be kept in a home beyond 18 years because the accommodation facilities will have to be made available to those who are junior to them, said Siddhant.
“We engaged Bikash and Ramu, who completed 18 years, in restaurants so they could do odd jobs and earn a living for themselves. But they were eventually fired,” he said.
After their experience, Siddhant said they wanted to come up with a cafe that “these marginalised persons find homely”.
“We also wanted to convey the message that if an inclusive approach is extended to them, they can be financially independent,” he said. The cafe has counsellors to help the boys and girls.
Nupur, who has passed higher secondary, comes with her mother from Agarpara.
Does she like it here?
“Khub bhalo lage bandhura sabai mile kaaj korte ekhane (I like working together with friends),” she said.
“Aabar kobe aasben? (when will you come next?),” Aritri asked a visitor who was leaving.