Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram cafe reopens: Dosas and a dash of determination

On Friday, the cafe’s founders, Divya Raghavendra Rao and Raghavendra Rao, were back to business, relaunching their quick service restaurant that’s known for its South Indian staples.

A CCTV grab showing the blast at Rameswaram Cafe in Bengaluru’s Whitefield area on March 1. PTI

“The attack on the cafe did not dampen our spirits. It only united us and made us fight back harder. The reopening today is our response to the attack. It also sends a message — that Indians will not be deterred by such attacks,” said Divya, adding that the cafe will reopen for the public from 6 am on Saturday.

The cafe had sustained damage in the attack, with the impact mostly confined to the area designated for washing of hands. The roof, cash counter and the cafe’s logo too had sustained minor damage. Security measures at the cafe have been upgraded since the attack.

Raghavendra said the 1,500-strong cafe family will now “remain on high alert” and “be our eyes and ears” at all times.

“The attack was a wake-up call for us to tighten our security. We have recruited four retired Army personnel to advise us on making our security measures foolproof. These retired officers will also train the staff to remain alert at all times,” he said, adding that two metal detectors and 25 more CCTV cameras have been installed now.

Urging other hotels and restaurants to consider installing metal detectors too, he said the cafe staff has also been directed to report any bag lying unclaimed for over 10 minutes in the ‘Lost and Found’ Whatsapp group for employees.

Beaming with pride, Raghavendra said “not a single employee left  us after the blast”.

A cafe staff member said, “Raghavendra sir held a meeting with us after the blast. He was quite emotional. All he said was that we were going to create a new Rameshwaram Cafe. We all knew then that we could not abandon him.”

Applauding his employees, Raghavendra said, “One of them was bleeding after the blast. Still, he was determined that we should reopen the cafe the day after the blast. Such committed employees motivated us to restart our operations within a week.”

Pramod N, an HR professional and a cafe regular, said, “I am surprised at how quickly the cafe reopened. I think people will take some time to come back here in huge numbers, like they used to, given the security concerns.”

Chethan Kumar, another regular who was at the cafe on Friday, was more optimistic. He said, “The cafe and the management have only emerged stronger after the blast. The cafe is known for its ghee podi dosa and podi idli. I’m sure the area’s IT professionals will be back here in no time.”