From Conflict to Coffee: Naxal Violence Survivors Find Hope in Chhattisgarh's 'Pandum Café'

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In a heartwarming initiative, former Maoist cadres and victims of Naxal violence have joined forces to run a café in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district. The 'Pandum Café' in Jagdalpur serves as a symbol of hope and social healing, providing a dignified livelihood to those who have renounced violence. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurated the café, which was set up under the state government's Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy. The café employs surrendered cadres and Naxal violence survivors who have undergone training in hospitality, café operations, and entrepreneurship. The staff members, who have come from different backgrounds, shared emotional accounts of rebuilding their lives. 'We lived in darkness in the past, but today, serving society through this café feels like being reborn,' said a former Maoist cadre. The initiative has not only provided a means of livelihood but also enabled the staff members to support their families and dream of a respectful life. 'We thought returning to the mainstream would be difficult, but the training and trust shown to us changed everything,' said another staff member. The café is being developed as a sustainable socio-economic model, and officials hope it will pave the way for similar rehabilitation initiatives across the region. As IG Sundarraj Pattilingam said, 'Pandum Café demonstrates that transformation is possible when opportunities and guidance are provided.' The café's tagline, 'Where every cup tells a story,' highlights the journey of courage and new beginnings. The staff at Pandum Café stand as a testament to what can be achieved when the administration, police, community, victims of Naxal violence, and rehabilitated Maoist cadres work together towards peace and development.