By Rutaksha Rawat; All photos © Benefit Publishing Pvt Ltd
ROOTS—
CAFE IN THE PARK
Roots has its roots firmly planted in energy conservation, eco consciousness, and wholesome and flavourful food
W
hen I heard Roots was a zero grid cafe (perhaps India’s only) run on solar power that also served organic food, I knew I had to go see the place. Situated in the middle of the Rajiv Gandhi Renewable Energy Park (RGEP); run by the Advit Foundation in Gurgaon, Haryana, the cafe-style restaurant offers simple,
April - June 2015
vegetarian, wholesome food, with a ‘home made’ appeal. Roots was founded in 2010 by Rajesh Ojha (co founder, Banjara Camps, an eco tourism facilitator), Ina Sinha and Ashish Arora—the same bunch of people behind Cafe Lota at the National Crafts Museum, Delhi.
of bamboo and straw, and features both indoor and outdoor seating. While indoor seating comprises wooden furniture, the outdoor area offers visitors concrete benches with bamboo moodas or stools to sit on. Spherical paper lanterns light up both areas.
Not far from the entrance of the park, the cafe’s structure is made almost entirely
Reasonably populated for a Monday afternoon (when we visited), according
PAGE
12
PURE&ECO™ India