On Monday, i.e., 29th July 2019, news of missing of VG Siddhartha, sent alarming ripples across the nation and when on Wednesday, i.e., 31st July 2019, his body was fished out from the Netravati River near Mangaluru, left the Netizens heartbroken. The thing which was more heart wrenching than the news of his death was the suicide note in which he apologized to his board and other members of the CCD family for letting them down and declared himself a failed entrepreneur.
But did he fail?
In a country like India, where Tea dominated critical geographies of the nation and historically a part of the people's everyday lives, Coffee was the exotic beauty and reserved either for the special guests or occasions, VG Siddhartha introduced us with frothy Cappuccinos and began the coffee revolution in India. From the first café, in Bangalore in 1996, CCD became the largest coffee shop chain in a decade. It was a home-grown brand that changed the way Indians – across all age groups- consumed a beverage. VG Siddhartha not only revolutionized the café culture in India but also became the undisputed coffee king of India.
Back in the day, eating out meant either having dinner at a fancy restaurant or night out with friends. But the arrival of CCD gave the new definition to the term "Hang Out." The café culture in India came with CCD, a cool and casual place to hang out without any loud music, causing you a headache. For years, CCD has been the go-to place for school kids, college-goers, and a place to catch up with some old friends for adults. CCD also provided a comfortable ambience for entrepreneurs and people in business to hold meetings or meet with clients. Let's not forget; most of us had our first date there!
Indeed, CCD proved that "A lot can happen over coffee for everyone".
After VG Siddharth's letter went viral on social media, several people came out on various platforms and shared their fond memories of CCD. While some spoke of having their first date or meeting their spouses at CCD, some even stated how Siddhartha was an inspiration for budding entrepreneurs.
Many people wrote how CCD helped them to get their life's most prominent projects, how CCD outlets on highways always meant decent washrooms for women, how they bonded and forged lifelong relationships in CCD etc. You see, CCD meant different things to different people, and it still does.
One of the best tributes to Mr VG Siddhartha I came across over the Internet: 
On a final note, I want to say that it's sad that Mr VG Siddhartha ended his life and thought himself as a failure, but sir, to the rest of the Indians, you were a success story, and your journey has inspired and continue to inspire us.
The demise of VG Siddhartha, founder, and chairman of Café Coffee Day is the death of a little part of our lives and marks an end of an era. Thank you for giving us so many priceless memories, and the entire country will always be grateful to you for all those special moments.
Rest in Peace, Sir.
Comments
RVS Soumya
Soumya is pursuing MBA at IIM Udaipur. She likes to keep a focus but try different flavours of life because of her love for uniqueness. She graduated in computer science from SRM University and worked as a Software developer for around 4 years across different projects and domains, that is where she fell in love with technology, marketing & business and embarked upon a new journey of MBA. She loves psychology, reading and writing. Too nerdy?? Well she isn’t! She loves singing, writing & composing English songs & her life philosophy is to achieve a balance between Mind, Body & Soul maybe that’s the reason why she enjoys cycling & travelling too.
Beautifully expressed your feelings through this article.
2 Aug 2019, 12.18 PM
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Jeetesh Varshney
Jeetesh Varshney holds an MBA from the IIM Udaipur and was a member of the InsideIIM Student Team and representative of Placement Preparation Committee of IIMU. He has previously completed his Computer Engineering from Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur and has work experience in software development. He is an avid reader and loves travelling and exploring new places and cultures. He is someone who learned a lot from InsideIIM while preparing for his management entrance exams and now writing stories on InsideIIM to share his experiences for the benefit of the future aspirants.
Thanks Saumya!
2 Aug 2019, 12.20 PM |
Shwet Nisha
This is really good. Thank you for sharing your thoughts
2 Aug 2019, 01.20 PM
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Jeetesh Varshney
Jeetesh Varshney holds an MBA from the IIM Udaipur and was a member of the InsideIIM Student Team and representative of Placement Preparation Committee of IIMU. He has previously completed his Computer Engineering from Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur and has work experience in software development. He is an avid reader and loves travelling and exploring new places and cultures. He is someone who learned a lot from InsideIIM while preparing for his management entrance exams and now writing stories on InsideIIM to share his experiences for the benefit of the future aspirants.
Thanks Shwet!
2 Aug 2019, 05.10 PM |
Rajvi Doshi
Great way to look at !
2 Aug 2019, 03.32 PM
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Jeetesh Varshney
Jeetesh Varshney holds an MBA from the IIM Udaipur and was a member of the InsideIIM Student Team and representative of Placement Preparation Committee of IIMU. He has previously completed his Computer Engineering from Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur and has work experience in software development. He is an avid reader and loves travelling and exploring new places and cultures. He is someone who learned a lot from InsideIIM while preparing for his management entrance exams and now writing stories on InsideIIM to share his experiences for the benefit of the future aspirants.
Thanks Rajvi !
2 Aug 2019, 05.26 PM |
Kiran Sharda
Kiran Sharda, an MBA student from IIM Udaipur, graduated in Electronics and Communication Engineering. A poetess by heart, Dramatist by nature and an active learner by psyche!
True that! Thank yoh for writing this on behalf of (may be) half of the young population in country!
2 Aug 2019, 03.34 PM
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Jeetesh Varshney
Jeetesh Varshney holds an MBA from the IIM Udaipur and was a member of the InsideIIM Student Team and representative of Placement Preparation Committee of IIMU. He has previously completed his Computer Engineering from Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur and has work experience in software development. He is an avid reader and loves travelling and exploring new places and cultures. He is someone who learned a lot from InsideIIM while preparing for his management entrance exams and now writing stories on InsideIIM to share his experiences for the benefit of the future aspirants.
Pleasure all mine! Thanks for the appreciation
2 Aug 2019, 05.11 PM |
Ashwani Kumar
Currently pursuing my MBA(2018-2020) in Global Bussiness Managment from IIM Lucknow. Graduated from Punjab Technical University in Electrical Engineering.
I think this is the feeling of every young entrepreneur..Beautifully expressed...
2 Aug 2019, 07.45 PM
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Jeetesh Varshney
Jeetesh Varshney holds an MBA from the IIM Udaipur and was a member of the InsideIIM Student Team and representative of Placement Preparation Committee of IIMU. He has previously completed his Computer Engineering from Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur and has work experience in software development. He is an avid reader and loves travelling and exploring new places and cultures. He is someone who learned a lot from InsideIIM while preparing for his management entrance exams and now writing stories on InsideIIM to share his experiences for the benefit of the future aspirants.
Thanks Prince! Good to know that U liked the article.
2 Aug 2019, 09.37 PM |
Kirti Mishra
Beautifully written Jeetesh. You have managed to capture your personal learnings and insights and share them with all. Well done!
3 Aug 2019, 01.35 PM
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Jeetesh Varshney
Jeetesh Varshney holds an MBA from the IIM Udaipur and was a member of the InsideIIM Student Team and representative of Placement Preparation Committee of IIMU. He has previously completed his Computer Engineering from Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur and has work experience in software development. He is an avid reader and loves travelling and exploring new places and cultures. He is someone who learned a lot from InsideIIM while preparing for his management entrance exams and now writing stories on InsideIIM to share his experiences for the benefit of the future aspirants.
Thanku Mam! It's all possible because of the teachings imparted by the professors like you :)
3 Aug 2019, 02.37 PM |
arpit a
Well written and so true
4 Aug 2019, 11.45 PM
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Jeetesh Varshney
Jeetesh Varshney holds an MBA from the IIM Udaipur and was a member of the InsideIIM Student Team and representative of Placement Preparation Committee of IIMU. He has previously completed his Computer Engineering from Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur and has work experience in software development. He is an avid reader and loves travelling and exploring new places and cultures. He is someone who learned a lot from InsideIIM while preparing for his management entrance exams and now writing stories on InsideIIM to share his experiences for the benefit of the future aspirants.
Thanks Arpit!
4 Aug 2019, 11.58 PM |
himanshu varshney
Hi
Great Jeetesh to highlight CCD background .. I appreciate your thoughts.. Keep it up.
17 Aug 2019, 04.24 PM