New Delhi, May 16 : In a candid interaction with a group of youths, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday revealed his personal dream of opening a café named “Ahista Zindagi” in Madhya Pradesh, envisioned as a calm retreat for conversation, reflection and meaningful exchange of ideas in today’s fast-paced world.
Speaking during a fireside chat at the ‘Sena Samwad’ event hosted at the Manekshaw Centre by ‘Uniform Unveiled’, the Army Chief said the proposed café would serve as a space where people can slow down, interact, read, and engage in constructive discussions over coffee.
Gen Dwivedi said the idea behind the café is to create a relaxed environment that encourages dialogue, creativity and self-reflection, along with a library and informal “free consultation” space for visitors.
During the interaction with students from Delhi and nearby cities, he also urged young people to focus on fitness, discipline and leadership qualities, while advising them to reduce excessive dependence on social media and “reels” and instead engage in physical and productive activities.
Reflecting on his long military career spanning nearly four decades, the Army Chief said he felt a growing responsibility to “give back to society” through mentoring both serving personnel and civilians.
He also spoke about concerns such as declining attention spans among youth and increasing reliance on digital platforms, stressing the importance of real-world interaction and teamwork in problem-solving.
Gen Dwivedi further mentioned his intent to contribute towards addressing the migration of tribal communities from his home state, adding that his post-service plans would focus on social impact initiatives.
It is understood that the café project is being planned in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, where Gen Dwivedi is
