Pandum Cafe In Jagadalapur: CM Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurates the ‘Pandüm Café’
Bastar Transformed: Surrendered Naxalites Open Café Under the Strategy of Prime Minister and Home Minister
Pandu Cafe In Jagdalpur
Once known for widespread Naxal violence, Bastar is now witnessing a remarkable transformation. A strong symbol of this change is the newly opened Pandüm Café in Jagdalpur, inaugurated today by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. This café is not just a business venture—it is a powerful example of the state’s rehabilitation policy, where surrendered Naxalites and youth affected by Naxal violence are stepping into a dignified life and a new beginning.
The success of Chhattisgarh’s Naxal rehabilitation policy, the “Naxal-Mukt Bharat” strategy guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the implementation of the Niyad Nellanar Yojana in Bastar have together accelerated and strengthened the process of surrender and reintegration. As a result, many youth across Bastar are now choosing to leave the path of conflict and return to the mainstream.
These youth have been trained in café management, customer service, hygiene, food safety, and basic hospitality skills by the district administration and police. Today, youngsters like Fagni, Pushpa, Ashmati, Premila, and Birendra—who were once trapped in the cycle of violence—are emerging as faces of peace, service, and positive transformation.
During the inauguration, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai interacted with the staff and said that Pandüm Café is a reflection of decreasing Naxal influence and rising public confidence in Bastar. He added that this initiative is not just a livelihood project but a milestone in the state government’s commitment to move Bastar from fear to trust.
“Pandüm,” a word rooted in Bastar’s traditional culture, beautifully aligns with the café’s tagline—“Where every cup tells a story.” Every cup of coffee served here indeed carries a story of struggle, dignity, and new life.
A woman working at the café, who returned to the mainstream after leaving violence, spoke emotionally about the change this rehabilitation initiative brought into her life.
A former Maoist cadre said, “We had seen only darkness in our past. Today, we have the chance to serve society—this feels like a new birth. Serving coffee instead of carrying weapons, and earning through honest work, is giving us peace and respect.”
Another youth expressed joy and said, “Earlier, we could not even dream of giving our families a respectful life. Today, with our earnings, we can build a better future. This has become possible because of the administration and this café.”
A third member highlighted the role of community support:
“We thought returning to the mainstream would be very difficult. But the police and administration trained us and won our trust. The biggest change is that we now work alongside victims—this gives us a chance to correct our past and contribute to peace.”
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