In this edition of SEAtizens, we feature Josephine Tan, owner of the first Singaporean cafe located in Kolkata, India. Her main cause? To help trafficked survivors and their families build a life of dignity and hope. Let’s learn more about her story and the change she brings to her community
Business for a cause
Josephine Tan’s photo with her grandmother’s mural at iDelight Cafe | Photo from Josephine Tan
Josephine Tan is a Singaporean business owner with a clear mission: to help those who are in need. Her passion for entrepreneurship was influenced by her grandmother, who sold popiah or fresh spring rolls in the streets of Singapore.
With an upbringing like hers, Tan was inspired to become a businesswoman herself. She and her husband moved to Nepal in 1996, where she was deeply moved by the plight of single Nepalese mothers who were struggling to make ends meet. To help this struggling community, Tan founded Rainbow Craft—a sewing business with mostly single mothers as employees. This was followed by several other businesses, including Touch Nature—a handmade soap company.
However, due to political instability in the area, Josephine and her husband left Nepal after 15 years and started a new life in Kolkata, India in 2012. There, she befriended victims of human trafficking, which made her want to restart Touch Nature business to offer support to these women.
Delight in uplifting others
Josephine Tan’s photo with iDelight staff | Photo from Josephine Tan
As Josephine and her husband planned to open a physical shop for Touch Nature, they spotted a two-story house in Hindustan Park, which they bought for their business. Seeing how the place was big enough for a soap shop with plenty of extra space, this is where Josephine decided to start a cafe business as well. Enter iDelight—coming from Josephine’s idea to serve food that she delights in. The iDelight Cafe started with Josephine’s vision to showcase her favorite Singaporean food to locals living in Kolkata, and officially opened last December 26, 2024 as the first Singaporean cafe in Kolkata.
Retaining her advocacy, Josephine hired survivors of human trafficking, helping them move on from their trauma and so they can learn and gain new skills, such as soap-making, marketing, and restaurant management.
Bringing Authentic Singaporean Cuisine to Kolkata
iDelight Cafe is widely supported by locals for its cause, and has received praise and recognition for its authentic Singaporean food since it opened. With a variety of vegetable and non-vegetable meals, iDelight Cafe serves Singapore’s famous Laksa, Bao, Hainanese Rice, Mee Siam, Kopi, Rendang Curry, and more at their cafe. The interior of the cafe gives off a relaxing garden vibe, decorated with pine wood and plants, while also paying tribute to Josephine’s roots with a painted mural of her grandma selling popiah.
As Josephine Tan continues her advocacy, let us also support her mission and the communities that she is striving to uplift. Visit iDelight Cafe’s Instagram page and Touch Nature’s website to learn about how to help.
SEA Wave Pop Culture Magazine’s SEAtizens initiative is a series of inspiring stories of people in Southeast Asia who champion the human spirit by demonstrating courage, ingenuity, generosity, and selflessness.
For more Southeast Asian stories and stories about SEAtizens all around the world, visit seawavemag.com.