New Delhi, May 16, 2026 : Chief of Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday shared a personal dream of opening a café named ‘Ahista Zindagi’, envisioned as a peaceful retreat where people can slow down, interact, and find balance amid today’s fast-paced lifestyle.
The Army Chief made the remarks during an interactive session with youths at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi as part of ‘Sena Samwad’ hosted by Uniform Unveiled.
During the candid fireside conversation, Gen Dwivedi spoke not only about leadership and discipline but also about his plans after military service and his desire to contribute to society in meaningful ways.
“I realised, perhaps at the rank of colonel itself, that it is important to give back to society which has given us so much. It is time to say thanks and contribute meaningfully,” the Army Chief said.
The proposed café, likely to be established in Bhopal, is planned as a space where people can relax over coffee, engage in meaningful conversations, and exchange ideas aimed at leading a more fulfilling life.
Gen Dwivedi said the café would also feature a library and offer free consultation services to visitors.
“The aim is to create a place where people can pause, reflect, read, and interact with each other. When people come together as a team, solutions naturally emerge,” he said.
Explaining the inspiration behind the name ‘Ahista Zindagi’ — meaning “slow life” — the Army Chief observed that modern life has become excessively rushed, leaving people mentally exhausted.
“Today everybody is moving so fast that they are getting burnt out. People rarely stop to think, make choices carefully, and move forward with clarity,” he remarked.
The Army Chief also cautioned against growing social isolation and overdependence on internet-based interactions, stressing the importance of real human engagement and patience.
During the interaction, Gen Dwivedi encouraged students to stay physically fit, work hard, cultivate leadership qualities, and spend more time in outdoor and productive activities instead of excessive social media consumption.
He also expressed his desire to contribute towards reducing migration among tribal communities from villages in his home state of Madhya Pradesh.
Born in 1964, Gen Dwivedi is an alumnus of Sainik School Rewa and was commissioned into the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles on December 15, 1984. He assumed office as the Chief of the Army Staff in June 2024 after nearly four decades of distinguished military service.
