By Varsha Torgalkar

At Kimaya Café, nestled in the heart of Pune, the day unfolds with a rhythm of its own. Shilpa, 42, skillfully prepares Vada, a traditional Indian snack, while Nilesh returns, arms laden with groceries and vegetables, ready to serve the customers who have settled in the welcoming space outside the café. Amid the daily hustle and bustle of commuters at the nearby bus stop, Shilpa and Nilesh perform their duties with remarkable discipline. To an onlooker, their seamless operation hides a deeper story: both have been coping with severe mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder for over a decade now. In fact, all five individuals behind the café’s operations share similar battles.

The inception of Kimaya traces back to Parivartan, a social organisation founded by the late Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, a renowned anti-superstition activist from Maharashtra. Since 1991, the organisation has been supporting individuals with mental healthcare related challenges, guiding them through the stages of disease identification, support, treatment, and ultimately, rehabilitation. “As we approach the stage of rehabilitation, it becomes evident that securing employment is a monumental barrier for our patients. Those who do find work often struggle to maintain their positions due to various challenges, including stress, or face termination from their employers,” states Reshma Kachare, a coordinator and psychologist with Parivartan.

The counselors at the organisation were well aware that for individuals largely recovered from their mental health challenges, securing employment was not just beneficial but crucial for their continued recovery. This understanding led to an innovative approach: creating employment opportunities directly for those in recovery. Recognising the potential in this idea, Parivartan began by setting up snack stalls at short-term events like exhibitions and theater festivals, which were managed with remarkable capability by individuals undergoing treatment for mental health issues. This success laid the groundwork for a more ambitious project.

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