11/05/2026
His Excellency Governor of Uttarakhand-
Lt General Gurmit Singh (Retd) was on an official visit for 2 days to Lansdowne.
Amit and me sent him an official invite though the time was short and also it was completely packed schedule for him but we both wished that Governor Sir must visit our Café and see our work …
We were hoping against all hopes ..
8th May’26 his visit got postponed and he arrived on 9th May’26 … Busy schedule he had , as it was a Saturday we both were also extremely busy at the Café but in our heart we were thinking why we didn’t receive any response - the day passed.
Yesterday morning we had just come back home after our morning walk and my phone rang - the person on the other side said जय हिन्द मैम, मैं गवर्नर सर का ए.डी.सी बोल रहा हूँ - सर ने आप दोनों को १०:३० पे मिलने के लिए बुलाया है ॥
It was 9:30 am that time , we had almost no time to even consume the news - we got ready and hurried towards the परेड ग्राउंड ॥ While driving Amit and me were talking to each other that it’s so hard to believe that we are actually being called by Governor Sir when we knew that he must be leaving Lansdowne by like 11:30 am …
All the way we were getting calls from his office telling us where to reach …
We were escorted to the Parade Ground and were informed Governor Sir will meet you both after Gaurd of Honour at the Helipad … Anxiously we both waited for him and there he arrived - smilingly walking towards us and the first thing he said was I am really sorry I couldn’t come to your Cafe’ this time but it’s a promise next time I will come with my wife - what a loving gesture …
He asked us about our work, our background and when he got to know that our Café is 14 years old functioning on Community Based Concept where in we train villagers to run the Café he got very excited and made us meet DM Pauri - Ms Swati S Bhadauria and said you must meet them … He said I have heard many good things about your Cafe’ , your work , your concept and Mr Satish Sharma - Editor Garhwal Post Newspaper speaks very highly about you both …
We discussed about the screening of the Movie - Misty which happened on 25th April’26 at Lok Bhawan & Governor Sir was the Chief Guest along with Ma’am ..
We told him what a keen observer he was and the way he encourages others and make them feel comfortable in his company is commendable…
We gifted him Frames of Maharaja of Patiala and Maharaja of Kapurthala - he loved the gift & very happily he shared he is a pass-out from Sainik School Kapurthala .. Then he asked the official photographers to click our image together … And we parted with a promise to meet very soon at our Café…
Little did we know that our wish will get fulfilled and his warmth & appreciation towards our work - is something which will be with us forever…
Amit and me believe- Entrepreneurs embark upon their journey and passion & during that journey there are many who contribute in their own way in this journey be it guidance or appreciation or encouragement or support- in our case it’s Mr Satish Sharma …
The appreciation which we got from Governor Sir and the fact he called us to meet inspite of such a busy schedule and his visit was also shortened- shows what a great leader he is - he knows his good words for someone will encourage them to strive for better …
Thanks Governor Sir for meeting us it was an enriching experience for Amit and me …
While we are sharing it with you all we both still haven’t got time to get this opportunity and the meeting sink-in as after the meeting we rushed to the Café and how the day went by we didn’t come to know …
All we can say it’s the blessings of our family , love of our friends and guests and the determination & grit of Amit and me - which made this happen 💕…
Thanks to all of you for being part of our journey…
Love
Amit and Shipra
