Chennai :
Mohammed Shabbir toils over a huge handi to conjure up his signature dish – kacchi gosht ki biryani. In the kitchen, a few men and women work quietly, cleaning vegetables, and washing vessels. Bhawarchi Shabbir on Whites Road, Royapettah, is not just another restaurant. It is a training centre which aims to help people who have battled or are battling mental illness, find gainful employment and their own space in mainstream society.
An initiative of The Banyan, a mental health NGO, and restaurateur M Mahadevan, Bhawarchi Shabbir was officially launched last Monday. “This is a training centre where about six to eight people will be trained in service – pouring water, cleaning and cutting vegetables in the kitchen, washing vessels and assisting the chef,” says Mahadevan. “At present, we have five women and two men.”
After three months of training, they will be placed in establishments run by Mahadevan, such as The Marina, Copper Chimney and Bombay Brasserie. “Once they become full-time employees they will be paid Rs 9,000 per month, plus accommodation, food on duty, medical and insurance.”
To run Bhawarchi Shabbir, Mahadevan has brought down ustad Mohammed Shabbir from Hyderabad. While customers can drop into the 30-seater place and sample Shabbir’s Dum Ka Murg Biriyani, Shabbir’s Kacchi Gosht Ki Biriyani and vegetable biriyani, along with other Hyderabadi dishes, takeaways is a major market they are targeting. The specialty, of course, are the biriyanis, which customers can order by the kilo.
All the trainees are either residents of The Banyan or former clients who have accessed services from The Banyan. “We select those who are interested in the initiative. The idea is for them to be trained and employed so that more people are inspired to come forward,” says Mrinalini Ravi, assistant director of male shelter programme of The Banyan.
“There are many people living with depression and bipolar disorder who are part of mainstream work; maybe they haven’t disclosed their status for fear of stigma and discrimination. In the case of those who are symptomatic and experience a certain level of chronicity which makes ill health more visible, discrimination seems to be rampant. Sadly maintaining social order is the norm in our society and differences are not easily embraced. Thus one gets judged and alienated if one is different or doesn’t conform,” says Vandana Gopikumar, one of the founders of The Banyan.
This initiative aims to ensure that there is promotion of self-reliance, self-worth and creativity amongst those living with a mental illness as well as positive reinforcement at the society level so that people question their own perceptions and aspire to think inclusively, she adds. “This change in mindset will encourage social mixing and build a more just, friendly and cohesive society,” says Vandana.
There are, of course, challenges. For one, Mahadevan’s staff will be sensitized to work along with the trainees. “His employees know some of the people can be symptomatic, so they have to accept it. They need to incentivize, reward and motivate them,” says Mrinalini.
For Meenakshi*, supervisor, it is a chance to have steady employment. Deserted by her husband and treated for depression, she had to discontinue working as a teacher. “After that I worked in several places,” she says. “But here I hope to get steady work and a regular salary.”
*name changed
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Chennai / by Priya Menon, TNN / September 06th, 2015