LGBTQI run Gajra Cafe opens with two days trial in Urja 2022 Vadodara

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Supported by royal Gaekwads and SMCSU the first of its kind cafe to serve authentic delicacies of Gujarat and Maharashtra

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Want to bring the community to mainstream, gives a good atmosphere and inclusivity in society - Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad

Taking a step towards coming into mainstream LGBTQI community run 'Gajra Cafe' starts the two days trial in URJA 2022, a two days exhibition at Shree Maharani Chimnabai Stree Udyogalaya (SMCSU) in the city. It features works of over 25 artisans from the country.

Supported by royal Gaekwads and SMCSU the first of its kind cafe completely managed by LGBTQI community is finally started (on two days trial) at the exhibition supporting the artisans coming from all across the country. The cafe will serve authentic delicacies of Gujarat and Maharashtra to food loving people of Vadodara. After trial the cafe is expected to open later in this year.

"The cafe starts with two days trial to see the response from people. It will serve authentic delicacies prepared in small houses and never found easily. We want to bring these type of taste to the food loving people and also give a important platform to LGBTQI community and ladies want to do business from their houses. We want to run this Gajra cafe full fledged to bring the community to mainstream, gives a good atmosphere and inclusivity in society," said Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad, trustee and Vice President SMCSU.

Maya Urmila Koli from Lakshya trust is overwhelmed with this initiative and platform given by the SMCSU. She said, the cafe is one of its kind where LGBTQI community will be in the frontline. The cafe will serve authentic delicacies of Gujarat and Maharashtra to people and some of recipes are lost cuisines. The cafe will empower the community and also to help them comes to mainstream and change the mentality of society towards them.

Private institution in Vadodara give training to the members of the community in beverages, hospitality, food service and cooking under the project initiated by the trust. Radhika Raje said, the idea is to join with this community in professional way and bring them to mainstream. Once they interact with people coming the cafe it will help in change the attitude towards the community.

She learnt about their situation during Covid time when distributed ration to them. She then decide to bring them into society and joined with them in professional level. The cafe operates for two days trial and hopefully will open later in the year.

SMCSU also initiated and running a project wherein women are being trained in driving so that they can work in public transport.