A week after the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Bengaluru's Rameshwaram Cafe in Kundalahalli outlet that left 10 injured, the outlet reopened on March 8.
On March 8 evening, the cafe reopened with a puja in the presence of special invitees. It will resume normal business from 6am on March 9.
Speaking to reporters, founders and husband-wife duo Raghavendra Rao and Divya Rao, both visibly teary eyed, said they're relieved.
"We are overwhelmed by the response received over the last one week. As a woman, I also feel proud that we could do the reopening on women's day," said Divya.
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Following the March 1 incident, they have decided to come with precautionary measures. "We will hire retired army personnel and install metal detectors at our outlets to ensure the safety of customers and staff."
Asked how they coped with the news of the blast Raghavendra said they both were "shocked yet relieved" after they heard that there were no casualties.
"We have aound 1,500 staff all our branches put together. and each will undergo training to handle unforeseen circumstances while maintaining vigilance," he stated.
He said the recruitment of retired army personnel, saying, "Around four-five retired army personnel have joined, and we plan to hire more such people. This initiative aims to instill confidence among our customers."
Raghavendra said they have full faith in the NIA and investigating officers who are probing the case.
He dismissed the notion of business rivalry, emphasising that the entire hotel industry functions as a family. "Once the investigation is over, we will know the motive behind the suspect's action," he said.
Police are looking into the motive behind the blast – whether it’s a terror act or was caused by business rivalry.
Bruhat Bangalore Hotels Association said they will frame Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to enhance the security system at hotels across the city. The blast has also cast a shadow on the state government’s recent budget announcement to allow shops and business establishments in the city and 10 other corporations to stay open till 1 am. Association president PC Rao said: "We will soon call a stakeholder meeting and come up with an SOP to ensure the safety of restaurant owners, employees, and customers. Restaurants with a footfall of more than 500 will install metal detectors. We will also enhance CCTV surveillance in all establishments.".
Set up in 2021, Rameshwaram Cafe – named after the birthplace of former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam – has seen a meteoric rise in popularity, footfall, and revenue within a short period. The restaurant chain known for its liberal use of clarified butter (ghee) as well as its eye-popping sales numbers, features among the must-visit destinations of every traveller making a pit-stop in the city. It’s a mid-morning destination for some, a late-night hang-out spot (they’re open from 6.30 am to 1.30 am) for many, and is often frequented by celebrities.
Former MasterChef Australia judge Gary Mehigan who was in the city in November 2023, visited the joint’s wildly popular Indiranagar outlet for a taste of their ragi dosa, ghee podi idli, kesari bhath, and filter coffee. The chain that functions in the QSR (quick service restaurant) module, currently has four outlets in Bengaluru - Indiranagar, Rajaji Nagar, JP Nagar, and Brookfield. In January this year, they set up shop in Hyderabad too.
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