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  India   Sheroes cafe: No one hangs out here anymore

Sheroes cafe: No one hangs out here anymore

Published : Jun 15, 2016, 2:33 am IST
Updated : Jun 15, 2016, 2:33 am IST

The menu on the blackboard says “chai, coffee, jal (water)”. The empty cane chairs and the deserted counter tells a tale of despair — despair that had been replaced by hope exactly three months ago.

The menu on the blackboard says “chai, coffee, jal (water)”. The empty cane chairs and the deserted counter tells a tale of despair — despair that had been replaced by hope exactly three months ago.

Sheroes Hangout, a cafe started by the state government to be exclusively run by acid attack survivors in Lucknow, has hit rough weather.

The state women and social welfare department, that started the initiative, has lost interest in the venture and there has been no financial support for the cafe.

One of the acid attack survivors, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “The government has not provided funds despite assurances. This is an open verandah and we asked them to cover the sides with glass panes and install air-conditioners because the heatwave conditions will drive away customers. No one from the government has come back to us and there is nothing we can do about it.”

The survivor further said that they had no money to get food and snacks for the cafe. “We can barely manage tea and coffee but even that is not required because customers are not coming anymore,” she said.

The Sheroes Hangout had opened its first cafe in Agra and the venture has grown to include a library and a boutique. The cafe, in Lucknow, even has a tiny amphitheatre, designed for small performances.

UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, during one of his visits to Agra in 2015, visited the cafe and decided to open a similar one in all major cities in collaboration with NGO Chaanv Foundation that works for acid attack survivors.

The cafe in Lucknow was inaugurated with much pomp and show on March 8 which is International Women’s Day. An eatery run by the UP tourism opposite the Ambedkar Memorial was converted into the Sheroes Hangout and the state government has been touting it as one of its flagship ventures for women welfare and security.

Location: India, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow