PNN
Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 13: In a landmark moment celebrating India’s commitment to inclusion and dignity, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Mitti Cafe during the inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, an initiative led by the Adani Group under the visionary leadership of Shri Jeet Adani, CEO of Adani Airports. The Prime Minister spent meaningful time with employees of Mitti Cafe–individuals with physical, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities–acknowledging their skill, professionalism, and contribution to India’s growing movement for disability inclusion. The visit underscored a powerful message: that the strength of a nation is defined not just by its infrastructure but by how it empowers every citizen to participate with dignity and pride.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPpRiQJoeHY
The inauguration ceremony, attended by Governor Shri Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Eknath Shinde and Shri Ajit Pawar, Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, saw Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi personally greet Mitti Cafe’s team members and learn about their work across India’s airports and institutions.
A Vision for Inclusive Growth
Founded by Alina Alam, Mitti Cafe is a nationally and internationally recognized social enterprise that provides meaningful employment and livelihood opportunities to adults with physical, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities. Established around 2015, the organization operates cafes across India, making it the world’s largest chain of cafes run entirely by persons with disabilities.
At the Navi Mumbai International Airport, the cafe serves not only as a hospitality space but as a living symbol of inclusion in action. Under the Adani Group’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) framework, Mitti Cafe has partnered with Adani Airports, headed by Shri Jeet Adani, to create inclusive workplaces that reflect empathy, equity, and empowerment. The Jeet Adani’s support of Mitti Cafe aligns with India’s broader vision of accessible infrastructure and equal opportunity, complementing national efforts to make airports not only gateways of progress but also symbols of compassion and diversity.
Prime Minister’s Endorsement of Dignity Through Work
During his visit, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi expressed happiness and encouragement after interacting with the cafe’s team members, many of whom have overcome significant personal and social challenges to build livelihoods with dignity. For the team, the moment was emotional and historic.
Alina Alam, Founder and CEO of Mitti Cafe, shared: “The Prime Minister is a visionary, and by coining the term Divyangjan, he has created opportunities of respect, dignity, and empowerment for persons with disabilities across India. Our team was extremely excited to meet him. We thank the Adani Group and Jeet Adani for their vision in ensuring that persons with disabilities have space and opportunities across all their airports.”
The Prime Minister’s engagement at Mitti Cafe stands as a reaffirmation of India’s inclusive policy framework and his administration’s ongoing emphasis on empowering Divyangjan through education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
Global Recognition and a Movement for Inclusion
Over the years, Mitti Cafe has gained national and international acclaim for demonstrating that employment for persons with disabilities can be both sustainable and impactful. The organization operates in partnership with public and private institutions, integrating disability inclusion into mainstream corporate and public ecosystems.
Its work has been endorsed by a distinguished list of leaders, including:
– President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Mitti Cafes at Rashtrapati Bhawan and Rashtrapati Nilayam.
– Speaker Om Birla visited the Mitti Cafe at Hansraj College.
– Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud inaugurated the Mitti Cafe at the Supreme Court of India.
– Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Mitti Cafe at Lucknow International Airport.
– German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Mitti Cafe at the India Coffee Board.
– Jeet Adani, CEO of Adani Airports, inaugurated the Mumbai International Airport outlet.
– Gautam Adani, Chairman of Adani Group, personally praised Mitti Cafe’s efforts.
– Narayan Murthy, Founder of Infosys, commended Mitti Cafe’s work on Doordarshan.
– Prem Watsa, Chairman of Fairfax Holdings, inaugurated a Mitti Cafe at Bangalore International Airport.
– Azim Premji, Founder of Wipro, has publicly lauded the organisation’s mission.
These endorsements demonstrate that disability inclusion is no longer a charitable act–it is a core principle of modern corporate social responsibility and an essential pillar of equitable economic growth.
Recognition and Awards
Mitti Cafe’s journey has been marked by consistent national and international recognition for its pioneering work in disability inclusion, social entrepreneurship, and sustainable employment. The organisation has been honored with the National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities by the Honorable President of India, the United Nations Intercultural Innovation Award, and the NITI Aayog Women Transforming India Award. Its founder, Alina Alam, has been celebrated as a Commonwealth Youth Icon and has received the CNBC-Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Indian Express Stree Shakti Award, and the Frontier Awards at Cannes.
The organisation’s commitment to inclusion has also been recognised through the NCPEDP Helen Keller Award, Assocham Best Employer for Persons with Disabilities Award, FICCI Flo Best Social Innovation Award, and the CII Annual Business Summit Award for Best Social Enterprise. Mitti Cafe and its founder have received multiple honors, including the Young Achievers Award, Deccan Herald Changemakers, EKAM Award, Nina Sibal Memorial Award, Pinnacle Award, and the Women Entrepreneur of the Year – BLR HiFliers Award.
Alina Alam has been a four-time TEDx speaker and featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, further amplifying the organisation’s global impact. Mitti Cafe’s innovative work has been recognised by the Entrepreneur Challenge at Dell and CNBC-TV18, the F&B Virtuoso Awards, and the 4th Healthcare Heroes Conclave Award.
In recent years, the organisation’s contributions have received continued support from national leaders — President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated two Mitti Cafes at Rashtrapati Bhawan in 2024 and 2025; Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud inaugurated the cafe at the Supreme Court of India in 2023; and Infosys Co-founder Narayana Murthy endorsed Mitti Cafe’s mission on national television.
The Adani Group’s Leadership in Social Impact
The Adani Group’s partnership with Mitti Cafe is part of its broader CSR commitment to sustainable business and inclusive development. Under Jeet Adani’s leadership, the Group has been integrating accessibility and community engagement into the design and operation of its airports.
The Navi Mumbai International Airport, envisioned as one of the most advanced in the Asia-Pacific region, features design elements that make it accessible to all travellers, including those with reduced mobility. By integrating a cafe run by people with disabilities into the airport’s central public area, the Adani Group demonstrates how corporate partnerships can drive inclusive employment and positive social transformation.
Jeet Adani’s involvement extends beyond infrastructure; it reflects a belief that business success and social equity can co-exist. The presence of Mitti Cafe at the new airport sends a message to travelers from across the world that India’s airports are not only world-class in technology and efficiency but also in humanity.
Stories of Strength and Skill
Mitti Cafe’s employees, referred to as “changemakers,” represent diverse forms of ability. Many have hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities, or physical challenges, yet serve thousands of customers daily with precision and professionalism.
At the Navi Mumbai International Airport, the upcoming Mitti Cafe outlet is poised to welcome travellers with a warm and inclusive atmosphere. The cafe will be operated by a team of individuals with disabilities, trained to deliver the same efficiency, service excellence, and hospitality standards as any leading corporate cafe chain. The initiative aims to demonstrate that skill and capability are universal when provided with the right platform.
Each cafe under the Mitti banner not only generates employment but also raises awareness about inclusion, inviting patrons to rethink disability from a lens of strength and potential rather than limitation.
A Broader Mission: Empowerment Through Enterprise
Since its inception, Mitti Cafe has trained and employed over 6,000 adults with disabilities, serving millions of customers across airports, universities, corporate campuses, and public institutions.
Through its cafes, training centers, and awareness programs, the organization works to bridge the opportunity gap for persons with disabilities in India’s workforce. Its scalable model has inspired similar initiatives in other countries and has been featured in multiple global forums for inclusive employment and social entrepreneurship.
The organization’s impact metrics are telling
– Over 6,000 persons with disabilities trained and employed.
– Operations in more than 100 locations across India.
– Partnerships with public institutions, Fortune 500 companies, and government entities.
– Recognition by national media and international bodies for innovation in inclusion.
– Over 21 million meals and beverages served by people with disabilities to date.
Mitti Cafe’s model is based on a simple but transformative idea — that economic independence is the foundation of dignity. By creating self-sustaining cafes and enterprises run by people with disabilities, the organization has proven that inclusion is not just possible, but profitable and scalable.
The Power of Example
The Prime Minister’s visit amplifies what Mitti Cafe has long represented: a movement from sympathy to respect, from charity to opportunity. In India’s evolving landscape of corporate social responsibility, initiatives like Mitti Cafe demonstrate how private enterprise and government leadership can converge to create meaningful impact. When national infrastructure projects such as airports become inclusive, they not only connect cities but also hearts — symbolizing unity through equality.
As Alina Alam reflected after the event: “We have always believed that inclusion is not an act of kindness but of justice. The Prime Minister’s encouragement and Jeet Adani’s support remind us that true progress is inclusive progress.”
A Defining Moment for Disability Inclusion in India
The day at Navi Mumbai International Airport will be remembered not only for its architectural marvel but for the humanity that filled its halls. As cameras captured the Prime Minister smiling and interacting with team members at Mitti Cafe, millions witnessed a narrative of empowerment unfold in real time.
The symbolism was clear: India’s next era of growth will be built not just on economic strength but on compassion and inclusion. Mitti Cafe’s presence at the airport stands as a living example of how public-private collaboration can redefine accessibility, equality, and opportunity in the world’s largest democracy.
About Mitti Cafe
Mitti Cafe is a non-profit social enterprise providing meaningful employment, livelihood opportunities, and training for adults with physical, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities. Founded by Alina Alam, the organisation has grown into the world’s largest chain of cafes run by persons with disabilities, operating across airports, government institutions, universities, and corporate campuses.
Through its mission of inclusion and empowerment, Mitti Cafe aims to change perceptions of disability and create a society where every individual is recognised for their abilities. The organisation’s work has been recognised with several national and international awards and supported by global leaders, corporations, and public institutions.
For more information, visit www.mitticafe.org.
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