Overcoming Societal Stigmas, HIV Teens From Kolkata Runs Cafe; Names It "Cafe Positive"

Kolkata: In a one of its kind incident, seven youngsters who happen to be HIV positive, are running a cafe in the Ballygunge suburb in Kolkata. Customers from all walks of life who don't hold any social stigma within them frequently visit this place, thereby dismissing myths about the disease.

The cafe goes by the name of 'Positive Cafe' and it is run by Dr Kallol Ghosh. They initially started their venture in a 100-square-foot garage in Jodhpur Park. But, the cafe's location has just got shifted and has expanded to larger premises in Ballygunge to catch up with the increasing demands of clients.

Ghosh told the media on April 11 that their regular customers do not have any reservations whatsoever about visiting a location managed by HIV-positive persons.

Ghosh claimed that the cafe happens to be Asia's first such venture and he informed that a pamphlet with all the information about the café is handed over to every visitor.

However, they had to overcome obstacles in the form of some neighbours who vehemently protested their effort by claiming that the rubbish generated by their cafe could spread AIDS in the area. It is worth noting that the locality happens to be a posh neighbourhood in South Kolkata.

'Positive Cafe' was closed down during the lockdown period but was re-opened owing to an NGO that looked after its staff and patrons. The cafe will further expand its operations by launching new outlets in four shopping malls in Kolkata in the upcoming days.

'We are no different from others and should not be treated as pariahs,' an '18-year-old youngster' serving pasta to a group of customers said.

The cafe owner said that Sidhu da aka Siddhartha Ray of 'Cactus' band visited their cafe several times and encouraged them to keep working hard.

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