Overwhelming support to Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Cafe as it reopens after blast

The customers cooperated with the security measures. “No problem. You can check my backpack. I welcome this security check,” a woman said to the newly-appointed security guard, who reciprocated with equal courtesy and ushered her in.

Two doorframe metal detectors (DMFD) at the entrance of Rameshwaram Cafe. (South First)

“One of the two new security guards is army-trained to identify suspicious individuals by observing their body language and also look for suspicious objects. Additionally, they were trained over the past week on how to treat the customers politely,” Vinod Jonce, the outlet’s manager, told South First.

Ankita, Jyotsna, and Bhavya, three software professionals residing in the Brookefield neighbourhood, had always wanted to visit Rameshwaram Cafe.

However, their hectic schedules prevented them from visiting the cafe. On hearing the news about the blast, they decided to visit the eatery.

“We decided that we would definitely visit the cafe to show our support, and here we are,” Bhavya told South First.

The trio visited the cafe on Saturday evening and ordered a spread — chilli bajji, capsicum bajji, aloo bonda, ghee podi masala dosa, and watermelon juice.

“This is our first time here, but we wanted to come here after the incident to show support. We hope that the bomber is arrested at the earliest,” Ankita and Jyotsna asserted.

Jonce reported a 5-10 percent surge in customer footfall, compared to the pre-blast days. “More than the walk-in customers, our online delivery orders, too, have increased,” he added.

Also Read: Rameshwaram Cafe reopens a week after IED blast

When support came pouring in

On Friday, cafe owners Raghavendra Rao and Divya Raghavendra Rao organised a Rudra Yaga Homa at 7 am. It sought Lord Shiva’s blessings to dispel negative karma and ward off health issues and accidents.

The Rudra Yaga Homa was conducted on Friday. (South First)

Saturday morning witnessed the founders welcoming customers with folded hands, thanking them for their support and blessings, as the cafe opened at 6:30 am. Rameshwaram Cafe, a unique South Indian establishment, operates from 6:30 am to 1 am, offering authentic South Indian dishes.

Jonce recounted receiving overseas calls from concerned customers. “We got calls from our regular customers from California, Sydney, Dubai, Singapore, etc. There were many missed calls as well. These are customers who call us and place their orders the moment they land at the Bengaluru airport,” he claimed.

The cafe’s staff, comprising around 230 members, start their day at 6:15 am with prayers and end with the National Anthem. “On Saturday morning, there were many people from the neighbourhood who joined our staff during prayers. It was indeed a warm feeling,” Jonce added.

Also Read: Bengaluru cafe blast: NIA, CCB detain cloth merchant from Ballari

Housefull, hearts fuller

The cafe bustled with patrons on Saturday, some choosing to sit cross-legged, savouring their meals.

The site of the 1 March bomb blast, where the bomb was concealed near a tree, looked just as it did before, save for the meticulous removal of shrapnel marks, nuts, bolts, and a couple of decorative pillars.

Customers crowd the Rameshwaram Cafe. (South First)

“The tree and the pillars contained the blast; otherwise, the shrapnel, nuts, and bolts could have caused more injuries,” Jonce said.

While tech-savvy youths effortlessly ordered their food at the kiosks, older patrons gathered at the billing counter to place their orders and collect the tokens.

A police van was seen stationed near the cafe.

“Among the 10 injured people, only one person needs further medical treatment, and she has been referred to the Narayana Nethralaya for eye surgery. The management has been cooperating and we are keeping a tab on her. Not even a single customer who was injured in the incident protested or complained. All of them were very supportive,” Jonce added.