Ahmedabad, Aug 4 (IANS): The Gaekwad rule in Vadodara was celebrated for providing education, employment, equality and security to people from all the communities - something that may not be spotted easily in the present times.

During the rule of Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad in the 20th century, 'kinnars' were allowed education and freedom like other common people. They also had special rights that kept them from having to beg for alms.

History is repeating itself as the former royal family of Vadodara is introducing a special cafe which will serve to connect people of the LGBTQA community with mainstream society. This cafe will be the first in Gujarat to be run by and for the LGBTQA community under the patronage of the ex-royals.

This cafe will be opened in Maharani Chimnabai Stree Udyogalaya that has been operating since 1914, providing various kinds of training and support for women and transgender empowerment. The cafe will hire chefs and service staff from the LGBTQA community.

Additionally, women engaged in entrepreneurial pursuits from home will also be employed in this cafe. Preparations for this initiative include training 20 people from the LGBTQA community.

The cafe is named 'Gajra Cafe' after the progressive Gajrabai Devi, who went on to become Maharani Chimnabai of Baroda.

An Urja event will be held in August 26 and 27, during which this cafe will be inaugurated. The event will have numerous food stalls with a wide variety of cuisines to choose from.

Members of the Gandhinagar queer pride foundation told IANS that as an organisation that works for providing safe space, empowerment and upliftment to the sexual minorities and LGBTQA+ community, "It makes us immensely happy when we see other organisations, individuals and cities taking such progressive initiatives. Visibility of the marginalised communities through bringing them into the mainstream, providing equal work and earning opportunities to them and putting them in front of the society is extremely important today."