Aerospace Engineer Launches Gujarat's First Millet Café, Earns Rs 12 Lakh Monthly

For Nishtha Chauhan from Gujarat, respecting food and minimizing waste were values ingrained in her upbringing. Her family practiced mindful habits like reusing food, composting kitchen waste, and treating meals with utmost respect. However, stepping outside her home, Nishtha noticed a stark contrast, while many spoke about healthy eating and sustainability, indulgence often took precedence in cafés and restaurants.

This discrepancy struck a chord with Nishtha, who was working as a 24-year-old Radio Frequency engineer. She realized that healthy and eco-friendly dining options rarely appealed to younger customers. Motivated by this gap, she began experimenting with millet-based recipes alongside her mother and sister, crafting dishes like vada pav and momos.

Millets held a special significance for Nishtha, not only as a traditional Indian grain but also due to her grandfather’s belief in their nutritional value. In December 2021, she decided to take the leap and opened Café Arambh in Thaltej, Ahmedabad, the first millet café in Gujarat. The café was designed to be eco-friendly, avoiding single-use items entirely. Customers use reusable towels to dry their hands, steel straws instead of plastic ones, and reusable cutlery.

The café goes further by using biodegradable leaf plates and bowls, and all wet waste is composted to produce manure for its plants. Instead of relying on air conditioning, Nishtha uses water sprinklers and coolers to maintain a comfortable environment. Additionally, she sources ingredients from local farmers and vendors to reduce the carbon footprint. The menu is intentionally limited to ensure quality and minimize food waste.

To avoid unnecessary waste, the kitchen prepares food based on expected demand. When an item runs out, customers are informed rather than being served pre-prepared stock. Initially, Nishtha faced scepticism from patrons, but her transparency and explanations gradually won them over. Today, her café is appreciated not just for its food but for its thoughtful approach to sustainability.

Over the years, Café Arambh has made a measurable impact. Starting with just Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 and a few tables, the café has avoided the use of 576,000 single-use plastic items and prevented 1.7 tonnes of plastic waste. By operating without air conditioning, it has reduced carbon emissions by 28.3 metric tonnes, and local sourcing has prevented an additional 17.3 metric tonnes, together avoiding 45.6 metric tonnes of emissions.

Financially, the café has also flourished. In FY23, it generated Rs 78 lakh in annual income, growing to Rs 96 lakh in FY24. By FY25, the café’s revenue reached Rs 1 crore, with Nishtha earning approximately Rs 12 lakh monthly. For her, the journey underscores the importance of starting with honest intentions, even if the path isn’t perfect.