Evening hours, I was wandering on Shilpgram road and I saw a roadside stall – Radha Soami Chinese Fast Food (approx. 100 meters from goSTOPS) having a rush of local customers, especially youngsters – male and female.

I was confirmed that the stall is serving Chinese Fast Food.

I returned to the hostel and enquired with the staff about the stall.

I was told that the stall is very famous among locals as it has budget-friendly, tastiest Chinese Fast Food available since 10+ years.

The next day evening hours I walked again to Radha Soami Chinese Fast Food and enquired about the Chinese Fast Food available.

Fried Rice, Chowmein, Pasta, and Manchurian – the availability – said the owner.

I requested Fried Rice.

It was served hot within 10 minutes.

Fried Rice was incredible in taste.

I thought of having Pasta too but tomorrow.

The next day evening hours I again visited this stall and requested Pasta.

The taste was extraordinarily awesome. I was very happy to find this stall.

Timings: 3 pm till 10 pm.

Cost: Rs. 20 per plate (no matter what you order).

Budget-friendly isn’t it and drooling.

I can wholeheartedly say – Radha Soami Chinese Fast Food is one of the best street food stalls in Agra.

One should visit at least once for sure. What say?

You will find auto-rickshaw/s parked opposite GoSTOPS at Taj Nagari.

I was about to leave with luggage from goSTOPS (Taj Nagari) to Agra Cantt Railway Station.

An auto-rickshaw driver approached me and asked – Where do you want to go, sir?

I said – Agra Cantt Railway Station.

He offered his service.

How much for Agra Cantt Railway Station? – I question.

Rs. 100 only as you are the first customer for the day.

I agreed and thus, from goSTOPS (Taj Nagari) to Agra Cantt Railway Station, I paid only Rs 100 as an auto-rickshaw fare.

Note: Earlier, from Agra Cantt Railway Station to goSTOPS (Taj Nagari), I paid Rs. 150 to a prepaid auto.

E-Rickshaw Fare from Agra Cantt Railway Station to goSTOPS (Taj Nagari) I paid after the bargain – Rs. 70.

E-rickshaws are available most of the time during the day hours outside the Agra Cantt Railway Station.

Note: The entire E-Rickshaw was hired instead of shared.

Sheroes Hangout (run by acid attack survivors) – by chance, via Google search, I came across this cafe situated behind goSTOPS – backpackers hostel at Taj Nagari Phase 1, RK Puram Phase-2, Agra – a tourist area.

As per Google search, Sheroes Hangout (initially a crowdfunded project) is the brainchild of the Chhanv Foundation – an NGO founded by journalists Alok Dixit (Kanpur) and Ashish Shukla (Unnao) – renowned social activists.

Chhanv Foundation has supported hundreds of acid attack survivors by providing them with legal/medical/education/employment assistance.

The idea was to rehabilitate survivors of acid attacks.

Now, the rent of this cafe is paid by the revenue generated from the cafe having a fixed vegetarian menu with cost.

Earlier, it was ‘pay what you want.’

Salute to the two journalists who started this wonderful project.

Sheroes Hangout is not a cafe like any other. It’s unique in the world.

It was added to my list when in Agra.

I visited this cafe around the afternoon hours, and the moment I entered, I felt I am in a home.

The Cafe was nice and clean. One of the best beautiful unique cafes.

Timings: 10 am till 10 pm (7 days open)

I was welcomed to Sheroes Hangout by an acid attack survivor.

The ladies who work here are humble and welcoming.

I requested cold coffee (Rs. 220), which was one of the best I have ever had. Do go for cold coffee when you visit this cafe.

SHE + HEROES + HANGOUT = SHEROES HANGOUT

Sheroes Hangout is one of its kind cafes in India run by acid attack survivor women. It is an initiative to stop acid attacks.

It’s not a business. It is a movement.

This cafe brought acid attack survivors out of their isolation to face the world via cooking and serving tourists.

It is the world’s first cafe run by acid attack survivors earned praise in international media.

During setting up Sheroes Hangout, Alok Dixit met Laxmi Agarwal, whose story has been presented on the silver screen in the Deepika Padukone movie – ‘Chhapaak.’

Sheroes Hangout has given survivors the courage and skills required to become emotionally/financially secure. Several acid attack survivors are dependent on this cafe for their livelihood. Women, who at one time wouldn’t dare step out of their homes, are now happy.

“Just because someone has attacked you with acid doesn’t mean you remain indoors,” says one of the acid attack survivors.

Courageous fighters they are. Some of the women are now the primary earners in their families. They are the actual heroes.

This is not only an excellent cafe, but this is also a motivational and inspiring place.

Sheroes Hangout is popular with tourists, particularly foreigners visiting Agra.

The cafe not only gives acid attack survivors employment but also acts as a platform to raise awareness about acid attacks and take this issue to an international level through the tourists that the cafe attracts.

British actor Jason Isaacs, AKA Lucius Malfoy, during his India tour, visited this cafe.

Former Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni Silveri and German First Lady Elke Büdenbender also visited this cafe.

It is also visited by Great Britain’s Miss Universe and many eminent celebrities across the globe.

Many of the patrons of the cafe are foreign tourists.

The initiative recently won the Nari Shakti Award from the President of India for all their phenomenal work.

If you like to help, donate to Chhanv Foundation, which runs the Sheroes Hangout in Agra, Lucknow, and Noida, or simply visit and have a cold coffee or meal. You can also buy souvenirs like T-shirts/Kurti/Bracelets/Slippers, etc. to help the cause.

Must visit cafe. Amazing experience. Do visit once at least on your next trip to Agra/Taj Mahal. Highly recommended.

I say – the Agra trip would be incomplete without visiting this cafe. I wish them loads of happiness.