Pandum Cafe Inauguration is an inspiring symbol of positive change in the direction of Naxal eradication in Bastar – Chief Minister Shri Sai
Raipur, November 17, 2025/Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, marking the beginning of a new chapter of socio-economic change in Bastar, today inaugurated the ‘Pandum Cafe’ in Jagdalpur. This cafe is a significant initiative by the Chhattisgarh government for the rehabilitation of victims of Naxal violence and surrendered members, taking a strong step towards providing dignified and sustainable livelihood to those who have left the path of violence and returned to the mainstream. This unique initiative reflects an inspiring journey from conflict to cooperation. ‘Pandum Cafe’ is located in the Police Line premises of Jagdalpur.
Chief Minister Shri Sai had a cordial interaction with Fagani from Narayanpur, Pushpa Thakur and Virendra Thakur from Sukma, and Ashmati and Premila Baghel from Bastar, who are working at ‘Pandum Cafe’. He boosted their morale for the new beginning and also extended his best wishes for the better functioning of ‘Pandum Cafe’.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that the inauguration of Pandum Cafe is an inspiring symbol of the positive change occurring in the Bastar region towards the eradication of Naxalism. The Chief Minister said that Pandum Cafe is a bright symbol of hope, progress, and peace. The young people working in the cafe, who are victims of Naxal violence and members who have left the path of violence, have now embarked on the path of peace. With the cooperation of the district administration and police, they have been provided intensive training in hospitality services, cafe management, customer service, hygiene standards, food safety, and entrepreneurship skills.
A woman who returned to the path of peace after leaving the path of violence and is working in the cafe, emotionally reiterated the change brought about by this rehabilitation initiative. A former Maoist cadre said, “We saw darkness in our past. Today, we have got this opportunity to serve society; it is a new birth for us. Serving coffee instead of gunpowder and earning a living with our hard-earned money—this feeling is giving us peace and respect.”
Another associate, expressing happiness, said, “Earlier, we couldn’t even dream of providing a dignified life for our family. Now, with our hard work, we can secure the future of our family members. All this has become possible because of the administration and this cafe.”
Emphasizing community cooperation, another member said, “We thought returning to the mainstream would not be easy, but the police and district administration trained us and won our trust. The most important thing is that we are now working alongside the victims, which has given us an opportunity to rectify our past mistakes and establish peace.”
He also mentioned that ‘Pandum’ reflects the cultural roots of Bastar, and its tagline “Where every cup tells a story” symbolizes that the coffee served here carries not just taste, but also a story of courage, victory over struggle, and a new beginning.
On this occasion, Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap, Education Minister Shri Gajendra Yadav, MP Shri Mahesh Kashyap, Jagdalpur MLA Shri Kiran Singh Dev, Chitrakot MLA Shri Vinayak Goyal, Beverage Corporation Chairman Shri Srinivas Rao Maddi, Scheduled Tribes Commission Chairman Shri Roopsingh Mandavi, Jagdalpur Mayor Shri Sanjay Pandey, Zila Panchayat President Smt. Vedvati Kashyap, Divisional Commissioner Shri Doman Singh, Inspector General of Police Shri Sundarraj P., Collector Shri Haris S., Superintendent of Police Shri Shalph Sinha, along with other public representatives and senior administrative officials, were also present.
