Krishnan's mission, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, is to feed the mentally-disabled people roaming the streets.
WHAT he saw changed his life forever. Cycling down the streets of Madurai one afternoon in 2002, Krishnan saw an elderly man. He was destitute and mentally ill but what shocked the young hotel executive, who then worked for a five-star chain in Bangalore, was that the man was eating his own waste.
"I was benumbed. From a nearby eatery I purchased 10 idlis, washed the man's hand with the drinking water I was carrying and gave him the food, which he polished off in no time. Sleep deserted me that night as the old man's image kept flitting in and out of my mind."
Changed life :
By the following morning, Krishnan, who was about to leave for a training programme in Switzerland, had decided to walk away from his future. He quit his job and to the dismay of his parents, he spent the next two months cycling around Madurai and distributing food packets that he purchased from his savings to mentally ill destitutes.
"I started by using my mother's kitchen", he recalls. Single-handedly cooking three meals a day for 40 people, packaging and distributing them was no easy task. But Krishnan was determined in the face of his parents' worries about his new found "vocation".
But now, they are proud of what he did. Krishnan never stopped providing free food for people but the numbers have grown steadily. Today, about 125 people are covered by the free food scheme. They had to build a separate kitchen in the house. His father, an LIC employee, used to pitch in occasionally, chopping vegetables and packing the food items. One day, a young boy, Mani, walked in after quitting his job in a local hotel to help Krishnan in cooking.
Informal network:
Every day, a red coloured van criss-crosses Madurai, covering a distance of 120 kilometres and delivering food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Maruti van is a donation from a family friend and funds that come in from friends and relatives are channelled into the Akshaya Trust, which he set up.
"Since we feed 120 people now, we no longer make packets. Food is carried in the same big vessel in which it is cooked and served on disposable homemade plates of newsprint and butter paper. We collect used plastic bottles from hotels and fill it with potable water for distribution along with food," says Krishnan, who now has two more volunteers in his team, a driver and a helper.
The Akshaya van stops whenever it spots someone in need. It could be on the top of a road or rail bridge, bus stops, busy market, traffic crossing or the railway junction. But the team feeds only the mentally ill destitutes. "Only if there are leftovers, we distribute it among beggars or other able-bodied poor," says Krishnan.
And his menu is like a regular home menu. "I feed them what I eat myself and there is never any compromise on quality. Every meal is cooked fresh," he asserts. Breakfast is either idli, dosa, ven pongal or rava upma. Lunch and dinner vary between rice varieties like biriyani, curd rice and bissi bela bhaath.
Keeping it going :
Krishnan claims that not a single meal has been missed so far. "My family or friends step in if I am ill or away," he says. "If I leave them hungry for a day, they will again return to garbage bins," fears Krishnan whose arrival is awaited by many. "Some smile when I give them food, some don't even look at me, acknowledge or recognise me. But I go to them daily. There are some who remember their names and family but those who don't, we have named them after film stars," he says.
Krishnan guesstimates that there are at least 500 mentally deranged people roaming the streets of Madurai. But he is able to cover only 120, including 35 women, given the time constraint and also the cost.
Proof: Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 , The Hindu....
From India, Coimbatore
733WHAT he saw changed his life forever. Cycling down the streets of Madurai one afternoon in 2002, Krishnan saw an elderly man. He was destitute and mentally ill but what shocked the young hotel executive, who then worked for a five-star chain in Bangalore, was that the man was eating his own waste.
"I was benumbed. From a nearby eatery I purchased 10 idlis, washed the man's hand with the drinking water I was carrying and gave him the food, which he polished off in no time. Sleep deserted me that night as the old man's image kept flitting in and out of my mind."
Changed life :
By the following morning, Krishnan, who was about to leave for a training programme in Switzerland, had decided to walk away from his future. He quit his job and to the dismay of his parents, he spent the next two months cycling around Madurai and distributing food packets that he purchased from his savings to mentally ill destitutes.
"I started by using my mother's kitchen", he recalls. Single-handedly cooking three meals a day for 40 people, packaging and distributing them was no easy task. But Krishnan was determined in the face of his parents' worries about his new found "vocation".
But now, they are proud of what he did. Krishnan never stopped providing free food for people but the numbers have grown steadily. Today, about 125 people are covered by the free food scheme. They had to build a separate kitchen in the house. His father, an LIC employee, used to pitch in occasionally, chopping vegetables and packing the food items. One day, a young boy, Mani, walked in after quitting his job in a local hotel to help Krishnan in cooking.
Informal network:
Every day, a red coloured van criss-crosses Madurai, covering a distance of 120 kilometres and delivering food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Maruti van is a donation from a family friend and funds that come in from friends and relatives are channelled into the Akshaya Trust, which he set up.
"Since we feed 120 people now, we no longer make packets. Food is carried in the same big vessel in which it is cooked and served on disposable homemade plates of newsprint and butter paper. We collect used plastic bottles from hotels and fill it with potable water for distribution along with food," says Krishnan, who now has two more volunteers in his team, a driver and a helper.
The Akshaya van stops whenever it spots someone in need. It could be on the top of a road or rail bridge, bus stops, busy market, traffic crossing or the railway junction. But the team feeds only the mentally ill destitutes. "Only if there are leftovers, we distribute it among beggars or other able-bodied poor," says Krishnan.
And his menu is like a regular home menu. "I feed them what I eat myself and there is never any compromise on quality. Every meal is cooked fresh," he asserts. Breakfast is either idli, dosa, ven pongal or rava upma. Lunch and dinner vary between rice varieties like biriyani, curd rice and bissi bela bhaath.
Keeping it going :
Krishnan claims that not a single meal has been missed so far. "My family or friends step in if I am ill or away," he says. "If I leave them hungry for a day, they will again return to garbage bins," fears Krishnan whose arrival is awaited by many. "Some smile when I give them food, some don't even look at me, acknowledge or recognise me. But I go to them daily. There are some who remember their names and family but those who don't, we have named them after film stars," he says.
Krishnan guesstimates that there are at least 500 mentally deranged people roaming the streets of Madurai. But he is able to cover only 120, including 35 women, given the time constraint and also the cost.
Proof: Sunday, Jun 04, 2006 , The Hindu....
From India, Coimbatore
Dear Mr. Sardhar
This article is not to read, but to act.............
By posting this article on CiteHR you did a very good job, I must say.........but what after that..........is this a article to read, comment and forget............
Why cant we all HR guys and gals comes under one umbrella and do something like Krishnan is doing...........
Why cant we........
I asked this question earlier also in my power point presentation "MIND BLOWING COMPANY" but what I received in reply is only Views, No feedback or comments..............
We call ourself Human Resource Professionals but first we need to think.....Does "Professionalism" Means "Insensitive Human Beings" ?
Who only write comments, who only says good job, keep it up, great work etc...............
But when it comes on real ground, waits and only waits...............
I dont know, that only by doing good jobs, working with MNC's, getting lucrative packages solves the purpose of our birth...............
Or there is something else also expected by us from our country and society....................
With Regards
Sujeet S Rajawat
Asst. Manager HR
Vijay Solvex Limited
Alwar - Rajasthan
From Nigeria, Lagos
This article is not to read, but to act.............
By posting this article on CiteHR you did a very good job, I must say.........but what after that..........is this a article to read, comment and forget............
Why cant we all HR guys and gals comes under one umbrella and do something like Krishnan is doing...........
Why cant we........
I asked this question earlier also in my power point presentation "MIND BLOWING COMPANY" but what I received in reply is only Views, No feedback or comments..............
We call ourself Human Resource Professionals but first we need to think.....Does "Professionalism" Means "Insensitive Human Beings" ?
Who only write comments, who only says good job, keep it up, great work etc...............
But when it comes on real ground, waits and only waits...............
I dont know, that only by doing good jobs, working with MNC's, getting lucrative packages solves the purpose of our birth...............
Or there is something else also expected by us from our country and society....................
With Regards
Sujeet S Rajawat
Asst. Manager HR
Vijay Solvex Limited
Alwar - Rajasthan
From Nigeria, Lagos
Only Views and Views and Views......... No feedback and comments.................. How Professional we are............... Sujeet
From Nigeria, Lagos
From Nigeria, Lagos
I agree with Sujeet.
I am glad n proud that there are people like Krishnan.
We too, in our own way, can definitely do something.
And Cite HR being a family, we can definitely club in for a noble purpose as well.
Regards,
Nidhi
From India, New Delhi
I am glad n proud that there are people like Krishnan.
We too, in our own way, can definitely do something.
And Cite HR being a family, we can definitely club in for a noble purpose as well.
Regards,
Nidhi
From India, New Delhi
First of all I must say that this is a thought provoking article. Great job done by Mr. Peer
Dear Sujeet Sir
After reading your post I can feel the fire in your words. Honestly saying till now, I was also doing the same thing what you mentioned for professionals, like commenting, giving feedback, appraising and forget.
At times I also feel that we should do something for our nation as we are liable for that and that is our responsibility but what something we should do, I am not clear about that...........
Do let us know if you have something in your mind, we can surely do something for the soceity and nation.
and in last, thanks for such a motivating posting.
Regards
Raj
From India, Jaipur
Dear Sujeet Sir
After reading your post I can feel the fire in your words. Honestly saying till now, I was also doing the same thing what you mentioned for professionals, like commenting, giving feedback, appraising and forget.
At times I also feel that we should do something for our nation as we are liable for that and that is our responsibility but what something we should do, I am not clear about that...........
Do let us know if you have something in your mind, we can surely do something for the soceity and nation.
and in last, thanks for such a motivating posting.
Regards
Raj
From India, Jaipur
Great Man,
Keep it up.
I want all HR guys should come up and form an association that would be real picture of CSR activities about which we always boast.
The real CSR don't need funds.
Regards
Saurabh Sharma
Cadbury India Ltd.
9805067555.
From India, Chandigarh
Keep it up.
I want all HR guys should come up and form an association that would be real picture of CSR activities about which we always boast.
The real CSR don't need funds.
Regards
Saurabh Sharma
Cadbury India Ltd.
9805067555.
From India, Chandigarh
Hey all,
Since childhood I wanted to do something for the underprivilege children of our country, but never got the right path or support for doing so. Can we all organise in some manner to atleast take some steps for it.
Regards
Swati
From India, New Delhi
Since childhood I wanted to do something for the underprivilege children of our country, but never got the right path or support for doing so. Can we all organise in some manner to atleast take some steps for it.
Regards
Swati
From India, New Delhi
Dear sir,
This should make us think and how many people in the world are like this??????????
We are HR people we have to do some thing for such people. Why can we contribute something ........... at least one rupee and help such people in each area. Not only these people some to orphanage or old age homes in there areas.
Your comments please..........
Regards,
Gayathri.
From India
This should make us think and how many people in the world are like this??????????
We are HR people we have to do some thing for such people. Why can we contribute something ........... at least one rupee and help such people in each area. Not only these people some to orphanage or old age homes in there areas.
Your comments please..........
Regards,
Gayathri.
From India
DEAR ALL,
I AM TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH UR VIEWS,
WHY ALWAYS WE THE POOR AND MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE WILL COME FORWARDS FOR THE UNDERPREVILEDGED PEOPLE.
I HAVE NEVER HEARD THAT ANY RICH PERSON HAS CAME FORWARD, AND
NOT A SINGLE POLITICAL LEADER (AAJ KA NETA), THEY WILL ALWAYS TALK ABOUT THE BETTERMENT OF SOCIETY, BUT WILL NEVER DONATE 1 RUPEE AS CONTRIBUTION.
PREVAILING INFLATION RATE ALL OF U KNOW, PRACTICALLY NOW A DAYS IT IS VERY HARD TO MEET THE DAILY NEED OF OUR OWN FAMILY, HOW CAN WE AFFORD CHARITY.
IT IS VERY EASY TO SAY OR WRITE THAT WE ALSO SHOULD DO SOMETHING, BUT PRACTICALLY OUT OF ALL SALY ONLY HR PEOPLE, HARDLY 1 OR 2 WILL CAME FORWARD.
LASTLY MY SUGGESTION TO ALL MY SENIORS AND FRIENDS, IF U REALLY WANT TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE IGNORED OR CHALLENGED ONES, GO AND SEARCH IN UR CITY U WILL FIND MANY INSTITUTES ARE RUNNING, CONTRIBUTE UR SERVICES IF MONEY IS NOT POSSIBLE.
I KNOW WE ALL GETTING ONLY 1 SUNDAY, AND THAT IS FOR OUR FAMILY AND PENDING WORK AT HOME, WE HAVE NO TIME.
I AM SORRY IF I HAVE HURT SOME-ONE.
REGARDS.....................JOYDEEP
From India, Bhopal
I AM TOTALLY DISAGREE WITH UR VIEWS,
WHY ALWAYS WE THE POOR AND MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE WILL COME FORWARDS FOR THE UNDERPREVILEDGED PEOPLE.
I HAVE NEVER HEARD THAT ANY RICH PERSON HAS CAME FORWARD, AND
NOT A SINGLE POLITICAL LEADER (AAJ KA NETA), THEY WILL ALWAYS TALK ABOUT THE BETTERMENT OF SOCIETY, BUT WILL NEVER DONATE 1 RUPEE AS CONTRIBUTION.
PREVAILING INFLATION RATE ALL OF U KNOW, PRACTICALLY NOW A DAYS IT IS VERY HARD TO MEET THE DAILY NEED OF OUR OWN FAMILY, HOW CAN WE AFFORD CHARITY.
IT IS VERY EASY TO SAY OR WRITE THAT WE ALSO SHOULD DO SOMETHING, BUT PRACTICALLY OUT OF ALL SALY ONLY HR PEOPLE, HARDLY 1 OR 2 WILL CAME FORWARD.
LASTLY MY SUGGESTION TO ALL MY SENIORS AND FRIENDS, IF U REALLY WANT TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE IGNORED OR CHALLENGED ONES, GO AND SEARCH IN UR CITY U WILL FIND MANY INSTITUTES ARE RUNNING, CONTRIBUTE UR SERVICES IF MONEY IS NOT POSSIBLE.
I KNOW WE ALL GETTING ONLY 1 SUNDAY, AND THAT IS FOR OUR FAMILY AND PENDING WORK AT HOME, WE HAVE NO TIME.
I AM SORRY IF I HAVE HURT SOME-ONE.
REGARDS.....................JOYDEEP
From India, Bhopal
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