Over 40 women run Jamia Milia Islamia’s canteen Dastarkhwan that was started by eight female members of Ekta self-help group in January last year.
Over 40 women run Jamia Milia Islamia’s canteen Dastarkhwan that was started by eight female members of Ekta self-help group in January last year.
“Our canteen is gaining more popularity than the university’s central canteen. Initially when we started, we used to earn around Rs 5,000, after a year we now are able to earn a daily average of Rs 55,000,” canteen manager Shabana Tawhid said.
Although Dastarkhwan is not open to the public, it attracts students and faculty from not only Jamia, but also from other Central varsities like Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Praising the food served in the canteen, Mona Rai, a DU student, said, “Although I have been to this canteen just thrice, I assure you that biryani, kebabs and paranthas served in the canteen are mouth-watering. You just cannot resist eating them whenever you visit the university. The most important part is that they maintain hygiene while serving best food.”
“I stay in a hostel so I miss home-made food. But trust me, when I come to this canteen I just feel I am being served home-made food because the taste and quality of the food served just cannot be ignored. Although the price is little high for some items, I think spending money on such awesome food is worth it,” said Rachit Bansal, a Jamia student.
However, the idea behind this initiative, started in collaboration with Zakir Hussain Society of Jamia, was to empower women who suffered from a bad phase.
