This Bengaluru Restaurant Is Winning Hearts for Hiring Specially-Abled Staff Who Communicate Through Sign Language

Some dining places are popular only for their food, while others are remembered for the experience they provide. In Bengaluru, there is a restaurant called Ishaara, which is situated inside the Phoenix Mall of Asia.

The restaurant offers various dishes that are inspired by various cuisines, but are made only with fresh and locally sourced products. However, it is not the food that makes this place special; it is the idea behind it. The idea behind this restaurant is reflected in its name, which means "gesture" in Hindi.

As soon as customers step inside the restaurant, they can feel that the environment is different. It is designed to accommodate every kind of customer, and the language does not have to be spoken to communicate. All the staff working in the restaurant are specially abled, which means they are hearing and speech impaired. Instead of talking, they communicate with the customers through sign language. Despite the fact that they don’t talk, the gestures and facial expressions of the staff make the customers feel welcome and appreciated.

The idea came to life through the founder, Prashant Issar, who sought to give opportunities to people who often find it hard to find jobs because of their disabilities. They don’t discriminate against them but rather train them professionally to give them confidence and skills in the hospitality sector.

One example is Thirtharaj, a team member from Kolkata, who once thought that it would be almost impossible to find a job because of his hearing and speech impairment. As reported by The Times of India in 2024, Thirtharaj later found a job as a server at the restaurant. He was not treated as someone with disabilities but rather as a professional. He is now one of the most dedicated members of the team, proudly earning to support his family.

Prashant Issar has always maintained that hiring specially abled employees is not a charity or a promotional exercise. The employees may not talk to their visitors, but there is a connection they establish through their facial expressions. Many people leave this restaurant not only with a full stomach but also with a heart filled with a new understanding of how powerful being kind and inclusive can be.

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