In the age of constant digital distractions, one café in Raipur, Chhattisgarh is encouraging people to reconnect—with each other, not their screens. Nukkad Café, located on VIP Road, offers a 10% discount on the bill if customers choose to hand over their mobile phones while dining. This initiative, called “Digital Detox”, is gaining attention for its refreshing approach to mindful social interaction.
Also Read: https://seepositive.in/health/15-minutes-fasting-is-necessary-for-digital-detoxification/
The Vision Behind the Digital Detox
The café’s founder, Priyank Patel, shares that the idea was born out of a desire to help people spend quality time with their loved ones. “People come to cafés with family or friends but end up scrolling on their phones. We wanted to change that,” he explains. By setting aside their devices, guests are encouraged to talk, listen, and share meaningful moments together.
Promoting Social Inclusion Through Conversations
What makes this initiative even more impactful is the café’s inclusive workforce. Most of the employees at Nukkad Café are differently-abled or transgender individuals. Priyank hoped that customers would take an interest in their stories and foster human connections. However, with mobile phones acting as a barrier, conversations rarely happened. The digital detox concept aims to bridge this gap and promote awareness and empathy through interaction.
From One Café to a Growing Movement
The first Nukkad Café opened in Samta Colony in 2013. Since then, it has expanded to New Rajendra Nagar and Bhilai, where the digital detox program is also in place. Each location carries forward the same mission: to create a welcoming, inclusive space where people engage with one another in real time.
A Hit Among Students and Families
The initiative has struck a chord particularly with school and college students, who often visit in groups and willingly participate. Weekends see a surge in families who enjoy the opportunity to bond without the usual digital interruptions. The café also features a small library, giving visitors another reason to disconnect from their phones and reconnect with the real world.
Reclaiming Human Connections, One Meal at a Time
Nukkad Café’s “Digital Detox” isn’t just a clever marketing strategy—it’s a thoughtful social movement. By offering a small discount, the café is promoting a much larger idea: that real connections matter more than virtual ones. In a fast-paced digital world, Nukkad Café offers a gentle reminder to slow down, talk more, and live in the moment.
