Didi Cafes, an initiative by the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS), aims to empower women from Self-help Groups (SHG) through entrepreneurship. The initiative will open 100 cafes across the state which will serve authentic Jharkhand cuisine, managed and operated by 10 SHG women at each cafe, providing financial independence and showcasing their culinary skills. JSLPS has signed an MoU with Ranchi's Brambe Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition for SHG women training, with plans to open 27 Didi Cafes across the state in coming months, following three bakery units established in Torpa and Latratu last year.
Bhupesh Kumar, Principal of the Institute mentioned, "The institute plans to manage and operate 10 SHG women-run cafes, shortlisted by JSLPS project managers. They will undergo training from the institute's faculty, receive certificates, and undergo refresher courses annually. The cafes will offer affordable delicacies including 'Jharkhandi Thali' and other dishes, with a centralized team monitoring their operations."
JSLPS operates Palash Canteens in Jharkhand to provide affordable meals to women in self-help groups. Didi Cafes, part of a larger scheme, promote economic independence among women. These cafes serve as community spaces, offering authentic local cuisine and supporting local entrepreneurship. Women like Seema Devi, who runs a Didi Cafe, have experienced positive transformation and financial independence. Poonam, the owner of Didi Cafe in Jagganathpur, successfully grew as a tribal entrepreneur through the 'Hunar' project, which educates rural SHG women in various trades like cooking, sewing, driving e-rickshaws, etc.
