CJI DY Chandrachud Inaugurates Cafe Managed By Differently Abled Staffers On Supreme Court Premises

The CJI urged members of the bar to support the cause and announced the inauguration of Mitti Cafe, wholly managed by differently-abled people.

CJI DY Chandrachud after inaugurating Mitti Cafe in Supreme Court.

Source : ANI

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud inaugurated the ‘Mitti Cafe’ in the Supreme Court’s complex on Friday. The cafe will be run by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and will be wholly managed by differently abled people. The ‘Mitti’ NGO works with people with special needs, aiming for economic independence and dignity for adults with physical, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities, as well as people from vulnerable communities.

VIDEO | CJI DY Chandrachud inaugurates 'Mitti Cafe' inside Supreme Court complex. The cafe is managed by differently-abled people. pic.twitter.com/MpRbpL4dy6

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 10, 2023

Before the inauguration, the CJI urged members of the SC Bar Association to support the cause, he also announced the inauguration at the start of the day’s work in the presence of other judges, according to a PTI report. "I hope the bar will support the initiative," the CJI said.

Attorney General R Venkataramani said it is a "symbol of great compassion".

The CJI mentioned that 'Mitti Cafe' has opened 38 outlets in different parts of the country and has served six million meals during the Covid-19 pandemic. Advocate Priya Hingorani, who facilitated the process of opening Mitti Cafe in the Supreme Court, thanked CJI Chandrachud for his support.

The NGO started its work in 2017 and over the years, it created several job opportunities for differently abled people. The NGO is run by an all-women's leadership under CEO-founder Alina Alam.

Ayesha Alam, the director of Mitti Cafe, told news agency ANI, "Mitti Cafe provides job opportunities to people with special needs and around 500 disabled people are directly associated with the cafe, with an additional 1200 disabled individuals being indirectly associated."

During the event, differently abled children also performed the National Anthem in sign language. 

VIDEO | CJI DY Chandrachud and other judges watch as differently-abled children perform on National Anthem in sign language during an event inside the Supreme Court premises. pic.twitter.com/cDHRMX4wQv

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 10, 2023

The top court already has several canteens and cafeterias on its premises which cater to the needs of litigants, lawyers, and staffers the court every day.