Mohammad Aatif Ammad Kanth, TwoCircles.net
Srinagar: At 3 p.m., a steady stream of young girls begins to filter into Taste of Tibet, a café nestled between prominent coaching centers and the Women’s Degree College in Anantnag. Opting for Ting Mo Shapta, a beloved Tibetan dish, these girls are drawn to the café’s reputation for authentic Tibetan cuisine, a legacy brought to Kashmir by chefs who migrated from Tibet in the 1960s.
As the girls settle in, their conversations revolve around exams and NEET-UG preparations. This café, now three years old, has become their favorite meeting spot, providing a welcoming environment where they can discuss their lives and future aspirations.
Benish Aziz, a 12th-grade student, shares, “This place is ideal for us. It offers a much-needed break from the outside world—a luxury often lacking for young girls like us. It’s the perfect venue for socializing, and the food is fantastic.”
In rural Kashmir, where public libraries and recreational parks are scarce, cafés like Taste of Tibet offer a refuge. These establishments have emerged as vital spaces for young people, particularly girls and women, who lack other social outlets. Here, they can bond and share experiences away from prying eyes.
The main patrons of these cafés are teenagers in the 11th and 12th grades, along with students preparing for competitive exams like NEET and JEE. For those attending nearby coaching centers, these cafés offer a peaceful retreat from academic pressures.
Fahad Bhat, a NEET-UG aspirant, praises Taste of Tibet, saying, “My friends and I have been coming here for the past seven months. It’s not just about the food; the ambiance is perfect for unwinding. We visit at least three times a week, often meeting friends from other coaching centers. Taste of Tibet has become our go-to spot for get-togethers and discussions about our lives.”
Sarvar Ahmed, Younis Bhat, and Khalid Umer—young MBA graduates whose families migrated from Tibet in the 1960s—noticed the absence of authentic Tibetan cuisine in Anantnag. Motivated by this gap, they opened Taste of Tibet. Initially a restaurant, it quickly transformed into a popular hangout for teens and young women seeking a break from their daily stresses.
“When we started, we had only six tables,” recalls Ahmed. “As popularity grew, we expanded to a larger space with over 15 tables, accommodating up to 70 people at a time.”
Sarvar adds, “Our café has become a central gathering place for youth. Teenagers frequently visit after classes to engage in discussions. It brings me great joy to see them enjoy our food and the tranquil ambiance.”
Social Hubs for Interaction and Ideas
The lack of traditional gathering spots in Kashmir, such as Yaarbals (stream banks), due to encroachment, pollution, and conflict, has left many women and teenage girls confined to their homes. Psychiatrists are concerned, noting that Kashmir’s high mental health issues highlight the need for more women-centric social spaces.
Dr. Chandni Wani, a psychiatrist in J&K, underscores the importance of such spaces: “Cafés offering a safe environment for women and teenage girls to gather and express themselves are crucial. The trend of women visiting cafés for social interaction is very positive and helps alleviate mental stress.”
Cafés also serve as venues for idea exchange and community impact. Ovais Karni, founder of the NGO Mashek, started his organization after attending a social event at a café in Anantnag. “Inspired by the event, we wanted to create something impactful. We started Mashek to support financially disadvantaged schoolchildren,” Karni explains.
“We initially used Hattrick Café for our meetings before settling into Booza Eats, where we’ve held our gatherings for the past three to four years,” adds Mehak Rasool, co-founder of Mashek.
Delivering Food to Doorsteps
Food delivery services, which began in Kashmir after 2018, initially focused on urban areas. However, Booza Eats, founded by engineering graduate Shoaib Bhat, expanded this service to rural Kashmir. It became the first local food chain in south Kashmir to offer delivery, bringing a range of cuisines to distant villages.
Bhat reflects, “Inspired by Delhi’s café culture, I wanted to bring a similar experience to my village. Our cafés now provide not only a gathering spot but also delivery services, addressing the needs of those who can’t visit in person.”
Ahad Wani, a resident of Brakpora, Anantnag, appreciates the new convenience: “Doorstep delivery was a novel experience for us. I had my first taste of pizza through a delivery order from my grandson. It was delicious.”
Zero Miles, a north Kashmir-based food chain owned by Jibran Khan, has also made significant strides in rural food delivery. “We began with a modest café and expanded to areas like Kupwara and Handwara, where the concept of cafés was once unimaginable,” Khan shares.
More Than Just Cafés
Cafés in rural Kashmir have evolved beyond dining spots. Owners have initiated educational sponsorships, book donations, and awareness campaigns on sanitary pad usage, among other activities. These initiatives have spread rapidly from Srinagar to villages, highlighting the impact of community-focused cafés.
Khan of Zero Miles notes, “Our focus is not just on profit but on making a meaningful impact. Through our events and initiatives, we’ve contributed significantly to education and women’s empowerment. I’m proud of our team’s efforts, especially the involvement of teenagers from villages and small towns.”
In essence, cafés in Kashmir’s smaller towns have become vital spaces for social interaction, mental health support, and community development, reflecting the evolving needs and aspirations of their patrons.