BENGALURU (India CSR): As part of its three-year partnership with MITTI Café, DBS Bank India today announced the launch of a new café at 1 MG Mall, Bengaluru, aimed at expanding employment and vocational training opportunities for persons with disabilities. The café was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka, Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot.
Under the partnership, DBS Bank India has committed INR 10 crore to support MITTI Café’s expansion across India and strengthen access to employment and skills development. Nine cafés will be established across the country, creating employment opportunities for more than 100 persons with disabilities, providing vocational training to ~470 individuals and supporting around 300 individuals in accessing employment opportunities.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka, Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, highlighted the importance of creating opportunities that enable persons with disabilities to achieve dignity, independence and economic empowerment. He emphasised that inclusion must move beyond compassion towards rights, opportunity and self-reliance, and congratulated MITTI Café and its partners for creating a sustainable model of inclusive employment.
The Hon’ble Governor said, “MITTI Café shows us that inclusion is not only a social responsibility; it can also be a successful and sustainable economic model. Give people an opportunity, and their abilities will find their own way forward.”
Gaurav Rajput, Head of Group Marketing & Communications, DBS Bank India, said, “Our partnership with MITTI Café reflects DBS Bank India’s commitment to creating impact beyond banking by supporting purpose-driven organisations that address societal needs. By expanding access to livelihoods for persons with disabilities, we aim to support greater economic participation and contribute to more inclusive communities. The inauguration of this café marks an important milestone and underscores the role of partnerships in driving sustainable social impact.”
Alina Alam, Founder & CEO, MITTI Café, said, “We are deeply honoured to have the Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka inaugurate MITTI Café at 1 MG Mall. This is a deeply meaningful moment for us because our journey began in Karnataka and today we are opening a café at one of Bengaluru’s most prominent locations. This café represents much more than employment; it represents dignity, independence and the power of opportunity. We are grateful to the Hon’ble Governor, DBS Bank, GiveIndia, 1 MG Mall and everyone who continues to believe in our vision of an inclusive India.”
MITTI Café is a not-for-profit organisation that creates livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities and individuals from other vulnerable communities. Over the years, it has developed one of the largest networks of cafés managed by persons with disabilities, operating across public institutions, transport hubs and commercial locations across India. Its presence spans prominent locations including Rashtrapati Bhavan, Rashtrapati Nilayam, the Supreme Court of India, airports, universities, hospitals and corporate campuses.
The organisation has served more than 22 million meals and beverages and created over 6,500 livelihood opportunities. Alongside employment and skilling programmes, its work has contributed to advancing awareness of disability inclusion and accessibility. MITTI Café has received several national and international recognitions, including the National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, conferred by the President of India, as well as recognition from organisations such as the United Nations, NITI Aayog and UNESCO.
MITTI Café’s model integrates inclusive hiring into mainstream commercial spaces, enabling persons with disabilities to gain workplace experience, develop professional skills and build sustainable livelihoods. By operating in high-footfall locations, the cafés provide opportunities to engage directly with customers through day-to-day business operations, fostering greater interaction and understanding while contributing to workplaces that better reflect the communities they serve. Located in the heart of Bengaluru’s MG Road, the new café extends this model to one of the city’s most prominent retail hubs.
The partnership builds on DBS Bank India’s efforts to support organisations that create practical pathways for people to participate in the economy and build greater financial resilience. Complementing the bank’s social impact efforts, the DBS Foundation (DBSF) works to uplift the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities through focused programmes that address essential needs, advance financial inclusion and support ageing with dignity and purpose. It supports purpose-driven organisations and businesses that address social and environmental challenges, with a focus on solutions that create sustainable and scalable impact.
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