In the bustling academic corridor of Pune, a humble canteen has woven itself into the very fabric of campus life for over a decade. The DES IMDR College Canteen, a project born from a vision to provide wholesome meals, has transcended its primary function to become a cherished communal hub where stories are shared and friendships are forged over steaming plates of comfort food.
More Than Just Food: A Legacy of Community
Established in 2011 on the Deccan Education Society campus, the canteen was the brainchild of the late Vivek Khare, founder of Suvidha Hospitality. Driven by a belief that students deserved better than typical junk food, Khare curated a menu filled with refreshing and hygienic alternatives. He introduced homemade-style drinks like kokum sarbat, buttermilk, limbu sarbat, and milkshakes to replace carbonated beverages, setting a new standard for campus dining.
Today, the canteen's legacy is passionately upheld by his wife, Gauri Khare. "This canteen was my husband's dream," she shares. "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." This dream is kept alive daily by staff like Ravindra Navele, affectionately called 'kaka', who has been serving students with love from 7 am to 7 pm since the very beginning.
The Heartbeat of the Campus Belt
The magic of the IMDR canteen begins early. On any weekday morning, the air is filled with the inviting aroma of pohe and the clatter of plates, signaling the start of the day for hundreds. The food itself is legendary, with staples like misal, dosa, sabudana vada, upma, and sandwiches flying off the counters. The poha and upma often vanish long before the morning rush subsides.
What started as a facility for IMDR students has blossomed into a shared adda for the entire neighborhood. The canteen now regularly hosts students from Fergusson College, Gokhale Institute, DES colleges, BMCC, MMCC, and other nearby institutions. Its appeal has even attracted celebrities like Mohan Agashe, Nana Patekar, Vibhawari Deshpande, and Mahesh Kale over the years.
Voices from the Community
The canteen's charm resonates with everyone, from new students to seasoned professionals. Varun Kolambe, a BTech student at DES, says, "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."
For some, it's the ultimate hangout spot. Ayush Kulkarni, a JEE aspirant, admits, "We have been coming here for two years. This is the hangout spot where we always land after bunking lectures." His group is a testament to the canteen's magnetic pull, often planning their next round of dosas before the first is finished.
The loyalty runs deep. Lavnya Kamble from MMCC found the canteen just four months ago but is now a daily visitor. "Pohe in the morning, uttapam for lunch, and kokum sarbat at all times of the day. We love this canteen," she exclaims.
It's not just the young crowd; the canteen holds equal appeal for old-timers. Namrata Desai, who has been visiting for five years, says, "This is where we relax over tea and pohe, sharing stories before the day starts." This sentiment is echoed by Umesh Kumar, a CA who, with his friends, has been a regular for a decade. "Pohe, upma, misal, coffee… It is the perfect start to the day with friends," he affirms.
In a city teeming with dining options, the IMDR canteen stands apart. It is a living, breathing community where every burst of laughter and shared conversation reinforces a profound sense of belonging, proving that the simplest meals can create the most enduring memories.
