Tripura CM Dr Manik Saha inaugurates Dhalai Cafe in Ambassa, a TRLM-backed initiative creating livelihood opportunities for trained rural youth and empowering self-help group women through skill development and grassroots entrepreneurship.
A new livelihood and entrepreneurship initiative aimed at creating employment opportunities for rural youth and empowering women from self-help groups has taken shape in Ambassa with the inauguration of the Dhalai Cafe at Jaharnagar.
The cafe, located near the office of the Dhalai District Magistrate, was formally inaugurated by Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Monday. The initiative has been supported by the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) and will be managed by the Swapner Siri Mahila Cluster Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited.
The new cafe is expected to provide a platform for trained young people to utilise their skills while creating a sustainable source of income. The project has been developed not merely as a food outlet but as a livelihood-oriented initiative focused on skill development, employment generation and grassroots entrepreneurship.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha said the Dhalai Cafe was an encouraging example of self-reliance among women associated with self-help groups. He appreciated their hard work, skills and entrepreneurial spirit and expressed hope that employment-oriented initiatives of this nature would help them move forward economically.
The Chief Minister also conveyed his best wishes and congratulations to the women associated with the initiative and wished the Dhalai Cafe success.
As part of the project, around 30 unemployed young men and women associated with the Swapner Siri cluster were provided specialised training in fast-food preparation and cafe management under an initiative of the Dhalai district administration.
The training covered food preparation, cooking techniques and various aspects of operating a cafe. An assessment was also conducted to identify the best-performing cooks among the trainees based on their skills and performance.
Officials involved in the initiative believe the benefits of the training could extend beyond the newly opened cafe. By acquiring practical food-processing and management skills, the participants may be able to explore independent entrepreneurial opportunities and establish similar ventures in the future.
The Dhalai Cafe will offer a range of popular fast-food items, including burgers, pizzas, French fries, sandwiches and momos. Its location near the District Magistrate’s office, surrounded by greenery and a scenic natural setting, is expected to attract government employees, local residents, commuters and visitors.
A major feature of the initiative is its focus on women’s empowerment. The cafe will be operated by the women’s cluster, providing its members with an additional avenue for income generation and economic independence. The project is therefore expected to complement TRLM’s wider efforts to promote sustainable rural livelihoods and self-reliance through organised community-based enterprises.
The initiative has also generated interest among local residents, with expectations that the cafe could gradually develop into a model for integrating skill development, employment generation, women’s empowerment and rural entrepreneurship.
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The name ‘Swapner Siri’, meaning “Stairway to Dreams”, reflects the broader objective of the initiative. Through the Dhalai Cafe, trained young men and women are being given an opportunity to transform newly acquired skills into employment and potentially build enterprises of their own.
With continued support and participation from local communities, the Dhalai Cafe is expected to contribute to the creation of new livelihood opportunities while strengthening the role of self-help groups in Tripura’s rural economy.
