17.10.2026 : Professional Support Essential to Empower Persons with Disabilities – Governor Jishnu Dev Varma
Professional Support Essential to Empower Persons with Disabilities – Governor Jishnu Dev Varma
Mumbai, October 17: Persons with disabilities can become self-reliant and contribute significantly to society when provided with the right opportunities, encouragement and respect, Governor Jishnu Dev Varma said.
The Governor was speaking at the inauguration of a new Mitti Café at Oberoi Skycity Mall, Borivali, operated by adults with physical, intellectual and psychosocial disabilities.
The Governor said businesses should use their CSR initiatives to support employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for persons with disabilities. “Social change requires action, not merely sympathy,” he emphasised, urging corporates to combine business growth with social responsibility.
The Governor said that Mitti Café outlets are currently operating at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Supreme Court, the High Court, and at the international airports in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Navi Mumbai. He added that the possibility of opening a similar café at Maharashtra Lok Bhavan would also be explored.
Praising Mitti Café, the Governor said such initiatives help change society’s perception of persons with disabilities by recognising them as skilled and productive contributors rather than beneficiaries of support.
The Governor also placed the café’s first order and appreciated the team for its professionalism and dedication. He said the possibility of establishing a similar café at Maharashtra Lok Bhavan would be explored.
Mitti Café founder Alina Alam said the initiative, started in 2017 with a small table and umbrella, has grown to around 80 locations across India. The cafés have served more than two crore cups of coffee and distributed over 80 lakh meals to economically disadvantaged communities.
MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar, former Uttar Pradesh MLA Subhash Passi, senior journalist Kumar Rakesh, Skycity Mall CEO Tanu Prasad, Project Mumbai CEO Shishir Joshi, Mitti Café Director Lata Naik, persons with disabilities and their families were present.
Mitti Café aims to promote inclusion, dignity, employment and economic independence for persons with disabilities.