Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Gazra Café Turns LGBTQI Inclusion Into Dignity in Vadodara
Gazra is a café in Vadodara that gives people from the LGBTQI community jobs and respect.
One worker, Tanvi, moved away from home after her family struggled to understand her identity.
At Gazra, she could work openly and confidently.
The café is led by Radhikaraje Gaekwad and is housed in an old royal women’s trust building.
Its name comes from Maharani Chimnabai II, a reformer who supported women’s rights.
Gazra serves local foods in a carefully designed setting.
Money from the café and related fundraisers helps pay for surgery and other support.
The café hopes its workers will eventually gain education, skills and independent livelihoods outside segregated spaces.
Gazra Café in Vadara employs about 20 people, roughly half from the LGBTQI community.
Transwoman Tanvi Parmar worked at Gazra for three years and is preparing for gender-affirming surgery funded by the café.
Founded by Radhikaraje Gaekwad, Gazra operates from the historic Maharani Chimnabai Stree Udyogalay overlooking Sursagar Lake.
The café serves refined versions of local foods such as vada pav, bhakri nachos and bhungra bateta.
Gazra’s profits and fundraising support gender-affirming surgery, HIV-affected families, legal aid and mental-health resources.
- Who
- Gazra Café, founded by Radhikaraje Gaekwad, and its LGBTQI and other employees, including Tanvi Parmar.
- What
- A café is providing inclusive employment and funding social-support services for LGBTQI people and others in need.
- When
- Gazra completed three years shortly before the article was published; Tanvi worked there for three years.
- Where
- At the Maharani Chimnabai Stree Udyogalay building overlooking Sursagar Lake in central Vadodara, Gujarat.
- Why
- To create dignified employment and support LGBTQI people through surgery funding, training, legal aid, mental-health resources and family assistance.
- Café name
- Gazra, named after Gajarabai, the birth name of Maharani Chimnabai II.
- Location
- Maharani Chimnabai Stree Udyogalay, overlooking Sursagar Lake in Vadodara.
- Operating history
- Gazra completed three years.
- Workforce
- About 20 employees, approximately half of whom belong to the LGBTQI community.
- Support funded
- Gender-affirming surgery, assistance for families living with HIV, legal aid and mental-health resources.
- Food
- Local dishes including vada pav, bhakri nachos and bhungra bateta.
- Related initiative
- The same trust also houses Tarabai, an inclusive beauty parlour.