By Keerthana Venkatesh
Contributing Author for Spark Igniting Minds
It’s one thing to start a company while it needs a totally different skill to build a brand. And Siddhartha did just that. From a cool teenager too busy newbies at the workplace, creative vendor meetings to cuddling in corners with love, from the senior citizens’ gang boisterously remembering the olden-golden era and discussing politics with no care, Cafe Coffee Day has been a silent witness to all these moments.
From the cool blues to mint greens, graduating to frappes and lattes with “extra cream and no sugar please”, and finally reaching the stage of “my regular south Indian filter coffee, normal sugar”, my coffee tastes have grown along with me from the time of my days as an undergrad.
I’ve spent memorable moments with friends here, quiet moments (rather say hours) reading a book and savoring the emotions and conversations of people around me. I’ve had intense business discussions with vendors over multiple cuppas that kept coming our way with just the raise of the index finger. I’ve enjoyed those happy moments with my little girl as she went about exploring her first cafe ever as a toddler.
Sadly, V. G. Siddhartha Hegde who gave us this haven of coffee and memories became a victim of circumstances. But the respect he is being showered with across all forms of media from people known and unknown, and from across the country is a testament to his power of creating a brand.
As I’ve said before, Cafe Coffee Day has been a witness to sad and happy moments. While what happened to the brand’s founder is sad, the fond memories will stay alive forever. After all, it’s the play of the Yin and Yang…
Sure, a lot can happen over a cup of coffee!
About Keerthana Venkatesh
Keerthana Venkatesh is a passionate writer with a penchant for positivism via thoughts, actions and alternative therapies.
She has worked on the editorial of some of India’s biggest media houses and as content management and marketing head in various corporates.
An avid traveler and a doting mother, she finds inspiration and the energy of positivism through places, people and her daughter which she showcases in her blog titled "This Short Story"!!!