Indian-origin couple's Melbourne vegan cafe damaged in arson attack

Ashish Sharma and Manali Purohit opened their vegan cafe, And Bodega, in Fitzroy North, Melbourne, with hopes of building a business together. Shortly after opening, the premises suffered extensive damage in an arson attack. The fire was reportedly linked to a nearby tobacco shop, and the couple also faced theft during the incident. The attack wiped out their life savings, leaving them to rebuild from a difficult position. They have launched a crowdfunding campaign and are looking for a new location, supported by their community.