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‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ as an Indian adage holds immense value –– to consider and treat our guests as gods has been a long-standing belief. Our values, as they stand, are shaped by such beliefs, but they’re rarely put into practice, especially today.
Kindness and similar values seem to be rare in our daily lives, and the prospect of paying it forward seems utopian. Changing this idea is a lovely little café in Ahmedabad, whose ideologies will warm your heart.
Seva Café is based on the philosophy of a gift economy. Here, a diner receives their meal for no cost but is urged to pay that deed forward by paying for the next person’s meal. There is no set amount that the café expects one to pay but they are encouraged to pay whatever their heart desires. Post the completion of the meal, an envelope is handed to the customer, which may be filled with the desired amount.
Wholeheartedly accepting the power of community, you may also be asked to sit at a table with a stranger if you are there to dine alone - not with an ulterior motive to save space but to bring people from different backgrounds together by sharing stories and experiences.
The café was set up by John Silliphant and Jayesh Patel, who are also founders of an NGO, Manav Sadhana. Their vision deserves much more than recognition –– it calls for introspection in the way we treat those around us, the urgency of kindness and acceptance, and the need for compassion.
The Seva Café may just be one such location where humanity’s pure form is seen, and while we hope they receive success and more, we also wish to see similar changes in Indian society as a whole. This small café in Ahmedabad has the ability to teach us more than a textbook ever could.
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