9 months ago
IMDR Canteen: A Beloved Hub for Students and Professionals in Pune
Imagine a special cafeteria at a college in Pune called IMDR.
It's a place where students and even people who used to go to college there love to hang out.
It opened a long time ago because someone wanted to make sure students could eat healthy food that tasted good, unlike some other places that might serve junk.
People go there for yummy things like poha, dosa, and special drinks that taste like home.
It's not just for IMDR students, but also for kids from other nearby colleges.
Even famous people have visited!
It's a place where everyone feels welcome and can share stories and have fun, like a big family meeting spot.
The DES IMDR College Canteen, opened in 2011, is a popular food spot for students and professionals in Pune.
It was founded by the late Vivek Khare with the aim of providing healthy, hygienic food as an alternative to junk.
The canteen serves a variety of dishes including misal, dosa, sabudana vada, pohe, upma, and sandwiches, along with healthy drinks.
It attracts students from multiple nearby colleges and is a regular hangout for alumni and professionals.
Managed by Vivek Khare's wife, Gauri Khare, the canteen continues to serve over 1,300 people daily and is cherished for its community atmosphere.
- Who
- Students from IMDR and nearby colleges (Fergusson, Gokhale, DES, BMCC, MMCC), professionals, and alumni.
- What
- A popular college canteen serving healthy and hygienic food, known for its social atmosphere and diverse menu.
- Where
- DES campus, Pune.
- When
- Opened in 2011; operates daily from 7 am to 7 pm.
- Why
- Founded on the principle of providing healthy, affordable food and has become a beloved gathering spot for the campus community.
Key facts
- Canteen Name
- DES IMDR College Canteen (IMDR Canteen)
- Opened
- 2011
- Original Owner's Vision
- Healthy, hygienic food free of junk for college students
- Current Management
- Suvidha Hospitality (managed by Gauri Khare, wife of late Vivek Khare)
- Daily Footfall
- Over 1,300 people
- Key Staff
- Ravindra Navele ('kaka')
Quotes
Varun Kolambe
a BTech student at DES
“I have been coming here for three years. I love the cold coffee here. It is my go-to place for lunch. The food is delicious”
indianexpress.com
Ayush Kulkarni
a JEE aspirant studying at PhysicsWallah
“We have been coming here for two years. This is the hangout spot where we always land after bunking lectures”
indianexpress.com
Lavnya Kamble
from MMCC
“We found this place four months ago, and now we are here every single day. Pohe in the morning, uttapam for lunch, and kokum sarbat at all times of the day. We love this canteen”
indianexpress.com
Namrata Desai
an old-timer
“I have been coming for five years. This is where we relax over tea and pohe, sharing stories before the day starts”
indianexpress.com
Umesh Kumar
a CA
“We have been coming here for 10 years. Pohe, upma, misal, coffee… It is the perfect start to the day with friends”
indianexpress.com
Gauri Khare
manager of the canteen and wife of the late Vivek Khare
“This canteen was my husband’s dream. He wanted to create a safe, hygienic place where students can enjoy healthy food without any worries. More than 1,300 people come in every day”
indianexpress.com
Ravindra Navele
affectionately referred to as 'kaka', an employee at the canteen since its inception
“I have been working here since the start. Kids talk to me and share things. Their parents tell us to take care of them. They always ask, ‘Kay mahntay, kaka? (How are you, kaka?)’ I serve with love from 7 am to 7 pm”
indianexpress.com
