In a significant step towards women's economic empowerment, the Bidar Zilla Panchayat officially launched the Akka Café initiative on Monday. This program is specifically designed to help women from local self-help groups (SHGs) achieve financial stability and independence by running their own food service businesses.
Expanding a Successful Model Across Karnataka
The Akka Café model is a state government-backed project aimed at empowering SHG women throughout Karnataka. While similar cafés have already been established successfully in several other districts, particularly in North Karnataka, the launch in Bidar marks its entry into the Kalyana Karnataka region. This expansion follows the initiative's announcement in the recent state budget, with plans for further growth across the state to promote both social and economic upliftment for women.
First Phase Launch and Operational Details
For the initial phase in Bidar, two Akka Cafés have been inaugurated. One is located on the premises of the Zilla Panchayat office itself, while the other has been set up in Humanabad taluk. The management of these new cafés has been entrusted to women from the Bagadal village Self-Help Group. These women will handle all aspects of the business, from meal preparation to customer service, offering affordable meals to the public.
Dr. Girish Badole, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bidar Zilla Panchayat, emphasized the administration's commitment to creating livelihood opportunities for the weaker sections of society. He stated that all government departments and staff have been encouraged to support this women's empowerment drive by patronizing the cafés, including placing food orders for official programs and events.
Building on Experience for a Sustainable Future
The Zilla Panchayat has provided a fully equipped building on its premises to house one of the cafés. A team of five to six women, led by Lalita Patil, manages the daily operations. Many of these women bring valuable prior experience from the local hotel industry and from running paying guest (PG) mess services in Bidar, which positions them well for this entrepreneurial venture.
The café menu focuses on affordable and popular items, serving breakfast like idli, vada, upma, pulav, and tea, along with reasonably priced lunch options. Lalita Patil expressed optimism about the business, noting that support from ZP staff and the public would be key to earning a decent profit and ensuring the initiative's success.
The initiative is expected to make a substantial impact in supporting women from modest backgrounds in their journey towards self-reliance. Depending on the public response received, the district administration plans to set up additional Akka Cafés in other parts of Bidar in the coming days.
