Raipur, 17 November<\/p>\n
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today marked the beginning of a new chapter in Bastar\u2019s socio-economic transformation by inaugurating \u2018Pandum Caf\u00e9\u2019 in Jagdalpur. The caf\u00e9 is a significant rehabilitation initiative of Chhattisgarh Government aimed at supporting victims of Naxal violence as well as former cadres who have chosen to surrender and rejoin the social mainstream. By offering dignified and sustainable livelihood opportunities, this innovative effort reflects a powerful journey \u2014 from conflict to cooperation. Pandum Caf\u00e9 is located within the Police Lines campus in Jagdalpur.<\/p>\n
During his visit, Chief Minister Shri Sai interacted warmly with the caf\u00e9 team \u2014 Fagni of Narayanpur, Pushpa Thakur and Birendra Thakur of Sukma, and Ashmati and Premila Baghel of Bastar. He congratulated them on their new beginning and extended best wishes for the successful operation of the caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n
Chief Minister Shri Sai described the inauguration of Pandum Caf\u00e9 as an inspiring symbol of the positive change underway in Bastar\u2019s ongoing campaign to eliminate Naxalism. He said the caf\u00e9 represents \u201chope, progress, and peace.\u201d Youth working here \u2014 many of whom are survivors of Naxal violence or individuals who have renounced the path of extremism have now embraced a life of peace. With the support of the district administration and police, they have undergone extensive training in hospitality services, caf\u00e9 management, customer service, hygiene standards, food safety, and basic entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n
One woman working at the caf\u00e9, who has returned to the mainstream after leaving the path of violence, expressed her emotions while reflecting on this transformative initiative. A former Maoist cadre shared,
\n\u201cWe have seen darkness in our past. Today, we have been given an opportunity to serve society \u2014 it feels like a new life. To serve coffee instead of carrying explosives, and to earn with dignity, gives us peace and self-respect.\u201d<\/p>\n
One other member of the team said,
\n\u201cEarlier, we could not even dream of giving our families a respectable life. Now, with our hard-earned income, we can secure their future. This has been possible because of the administration and this caf\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another member highlighted the role of community support, saying,
\n\u201cWe thought returning to the mainstream would be difficult. But the police and district administration trained us and won our trust. The most meaningful part is that we now work alongside victims of past violence, giving us a chance to make amends and help build peace.\u201d<\/p>\n
They also shared that the name \u2018Pandum\u2019 reflects Bastar\u2019s cultural roots, and the caf\u00e9\u2019s tagline \u2014 \u201cWhere every cup tells a story\u201d \u2014 signifies that every cup of coffee served here carries not just flavour, but a narrative of courage, victory over adversity, and new beginnings.<\/p>\n
The event was attended by Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap, Education Minister Shri Gajendra Yadav, MP Shri Mahesh Kashyap, Jagdalpur MLA Shri Kiran Singh Deo, Chitrakote MLA Shri Vinayak Goyal, Beverage Corporation Chairman Shri Srinivas Rao Maddi, Scheduled Tribes Commission Chairman Shri Roopsingh Mandavi, Jagdalpur Mayor Shri Sanjay Pandey, District Panchayat Chairperson Smt. Vedvati Kashyap, Divisional Commissioner Shri Doman Singh, Inspector General of Police Shri Sundarraj P., Collector Shri Haris S., Superintendent of Police Shri Shalabh Sinha, along with several public representatives and senior administrative officials.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Raipur, 17 November Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today marked the beginning of a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":73,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cg","category-others"],"yoast_head":"\n