Reka engaged in promoting Tibeto-Indian culture:Dalai Lama comes forward to save Indian-origin woman's cafe from being closed in Scotland
The Himalaya Cafe promoting Tibetan culture on South Clerk Street in the Scottish capital Edinburgh is on the verge of closure. To save it from closure, Tibetan religious leader Dalai Lama has also come forward. He has supported the fundraising campaign started to save the cafe. Mussoorie-born Reka Gawa opened this cafe after meeting the Dalai Lama.
This cafe also has a separate room for meditation. Reka had taken this building on rent. But its owners now want to sell the property. Reka, 39, wants to buy it, but she is not financially sound. Read why this cafe is important and how Reka is trying to save it...
Trying to save cafe by taking loan and borrowing from friends: Reka
I was born in Mussoorie, spent my childhood there. When I was 13, our family moved to Denmark. At the age of 22, I got a job in the Scottish Parliament as a catering job. There George used to serve Reed a lot every day. Once he asked, 'Do you know the Dalai Lama, do you want to meet?' He knew that I was from Tibet. I was speechless. The next day I reached Parliament in the traditional Tibetan dress 'chupa'. I was terrified. Till now he had only seen them in pictures. Tears started pouring down upon seeing the Dalai Lama in the lobby.
He asked me where are you from, since when are you in Scotland. As he went, he told me that it was necessary to promote Tibetan culture. I promised him that it would be my priority to promote Tibetan and Indian culture while in Scotland. I left the job of Parliament and started 'Himalaya Cafe' in 2007.
At the same time, under the 'Pay It Forward' scheme, cafe-rich people buy food for the poor and homeless. I am trying to buy this building so that this bond of 14 years does not end. Loan from bank, borrowed from friends. Still, around Rs 46 lakh is needed. I have also started a campaign to raise money. There is hope after Dalai Lama's support, people are coming for help. - Reka Gawa
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