DBS Bank India commits INR 10 crore to MITTI Café

Inaugurates new café at 1 MG Mall, Bengaluru

Partnership will expand employment and training opportunities for persons with disabilities

Under the partnership, DBS Bank India has committed INR 10 crore to support MITTI Café's expansion across India and strengthen access to employment and skills development. Nine cafés will be established across the country, creating employment opportunities for more than 100 persons with disabilities, providing vocational training to ~470 individuals and supporting around 300 individuals in accessing employment opportunities.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Hon'ble Governor of Karnataka, Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, highlighted the importance of creating opportunities that enable persons with disabilities to achieve dignity, independence and economic empowerment. He emphasised that inclusion must move beyond compassion towards rights, opportunity and self-reliance, and congratulated MITTI Café and its partners for creating a sustainable model of inclusive employment.

The Hon'ble Governor said, "MITTI Café shows us that inclusion is not only a social responsibility; it can also be a successful and sustainable economic model. Give people an opportunity, and their abilities will find their own way forward."

Gaurav Rajput, Head of Group Marketing & Communications, DBS Bank India, said, "Our partnership with MITTI Café reflects DBS Bank India's commitment to creating impact beyond banking by supporting purpose-driven organisations that address societal needs. By expanding access to livelihoods for persons with disabilities, we aim to support greater economic participation and contribute to more inclusive communities. The inauguration of this café marks an important milestone and underscores the role of partnerships in driving sustainable social impact."

Alina Alam, Founder & CEO, MITTI Café, said, "We are deeply honoured to have the Hon'ble Governor of Karnataka inaugurate MITTI Café at 1 MG Mall. This is a deeply meaningful moment for us because our journey began in Karnataka and today we are opening a café at one of Bengaluru's most prominent locations. This café represents much more than employment; it represents dignity, independence and the power of opportunity. We are grateful to the Hon'ble Governor, DBS Bank, GiveIndia, 1 MG Mall and everyone who continues to believe in our vision of an inclusive India."

MITTI Café is a not-for-profit organisation that creates livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities and individuals from other vulnerable communities. Over the years, it has developed one of the largest networks of cafés managed by persons with disabilities, operating across public institutions, transport hubs and commercial locations across India. Its presence spans prominent locations including Rashtrapati Bhavan, Rashtrapati Nilayam, the Supreme Court of India, airports, universities, hospitals and corporate campuses.

The organisation has served more than 22 million meals and beverages and created over 6,500 livelihood opportunities. Alongside employment and skilling programmes, its work has contributed to advancing awareness of disability inclusion and accessibility. MITTI Café has received several national and international recognitions, including the National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, conferred by the President of India, as well as recognition from organisations such as the United Nations, NITI Aayog and UNESCO.

MITTI Café’s model integrates inclusive hiring into mainstream commercial spaces, enabling persons with disabilities to gain workplace experience, develop professional skills and build sustainable livelihoods. By operating in high-footfall locations, the cafés provide opportunities to engage directly with customers through day-to-day business operations, fostering greater interaction and understanding while contributing to workplaces that better reflect the communities they serve. Located in the heart of Bengaluru's MG Road, the new café extends this model to one of the city's most prominent retail hubs.

The partnership builds on DBS Bank India's efforts to support organisations that create practical pathways for people to participate in the economy and build greater financial resilience. Complementing the bank's social impact efforts, the DBS Foundation (DBSF) works to uplift the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities through focused programmes that address essential needs, advance financial inclusion and support ageing with dignity and purpose. It supports purpose-driven organisations and businesses that address social and environmental challenges, with a focus on solutions that create sustainable and scalable impact.

About DBS

DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world. 

Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named  “World’s Best AI Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the winner of multiple digital assets awards. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia“ award by Global Finance for 17 consecutive years from 2009 to 2025. DBS Bank India was recognised by CRISIL Coalition Greenwich as the Best Bank for Corporate Cash Management in India in 2025 and 2026. The bank was also named Best Bank for ESG in India at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026 and was recognised as the Best Bank in Emerging Tech and AI at the Business Today-KPMG India’s Best Banks Awards 2026.

DBS provides a full range of services in Consumer, Wealth, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets. 

DBS Bank has been present in India for more than 30 years, opening its first office in Mumbai in 1994. DBS Bank India Limited is the first among the large foreign banks in India to start operating as a wholly owned, locally incorporated subsidiary of a leading global bank. As a trusted partner, DBS provides a range of banking services for large, medium, and small enterprises and individual consumers in India, focusing on a seamless customer experience that helps them ‘Live more, Bank less’. In November 2020, Lakshmi Vilas Bank was merged with DBS Bank India Limited. DBS Bank India is now present in ~350 locations in 19 Indian states. 

DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact. 

With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com

About MITTI Café

MITTI Café is a non-profit organisation committed to creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for adults with physical, intellectual, and psychiatric disabilities, as well as individuals from vulnerable communities. Through inclusive cafés, skill development, vocational training and advocacy, MITTI Café is working to change the narrative around disability, from dependence to dignity, opportunity and economic independence.

Operating across prestigious locations including the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Supreme Court of India, airports, universities, hospitals and corporate campuses, MITTI Café has served over 21.8 million meals and beverages and created more than 6,500 sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The organisation has received several national and international accolades, including the National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, conferred by the President of India, along with recognition from Forbes 30 Under 30, the United Nations, NITI Aayog, UNESCO, and several other national and international institutions.

Through every café, MITTI Café continues to demonstrate a simple yet powerful belief: “Give people an opportunity, and their abilities will find their own way forward."

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