‘They experience oneness and community’

“We knew that this concept of restaurant servers being hearing and speech-impaired had clicked in Toronto as well as San Francisco. But here in India, the gap between the diner and server is wider.

It wasn’t until we met and spoke with parents of students from a school for the hearing and speech impaired that we began considering the possibility of making this a reality here in India.

Before that, we learnt sign language ourselves and interacted with the students directly to know of their interest and willingness to be a part of this venture. And they were excited! The opportunity to be independent – financially and otherwise – had presented itself to them for the first time. 

Starting out, we knew that we did not want the cause to take precedence over the food, or else the restaurant would only be a ‘check the box’ experience for diners who would be less likely to come more than once! This would not have been sustainable. 

We've asked our servers why they've chosen to work with us, especially the ones who already had jobs at cafes.  They said that because they're hearing- and speech-impaired, they would often be singled out, made fun of and felt isolated from others. Here, they experience oneness and community. 

We don't consider them limited. If anything, it is because of them that we have a platform."

Read our Weekend of Good in Mumbai guide for more travel tips and ideas.

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