The story of Tamil Nadu’s ‘Idli Amma’ is one of selflessness. The grandma, who is in her 80s, sells a plate of idlis with complimentary chutney for just Rs 1. Even during the lockdown, when the cost of essential items was soaring and businesses ran dry, Idli Amma continued to sell her idlis for Re 1 despite suffering losses. Why? Because how else can the poor afford food?
However, K Kamalathal’s living conditions in Coimbatore weren’t favourable to run a business. Her house was dilapidated. Her kitchen didn’t have much space and didn’t allow her to grow her business as she would like.
Hence, keeping in mind that her priority was to have a house or workspace from where she could cook and sell idlis, Mahindra Group came forward to help Amma register a piece of land in her name wherein they will soon begin the construction of her new home-cum-working space, reports NDTV!
Only rarely does one get to play a small part in someone’s inspiring story, and I would like to thank Kamalathal, better known as Idli Amma, for letting us play a small part in hers. She will soon have her own house cum workspace from where she will cook & sell idlis (1/3) https://t.co/vsaIKIGXTp
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) April 2, 2021
The registration of land has already taken place at the Thondamuthur registry office and construction will soon begin as per Amma’s requirement.
🙏🏽 to the @MahindraRise team for understanding from Kamalathal how we can ‘invest’ in her business. She said her priority was a new home/workspace. Grateful to the Registration Office at Thondamuthur for helping us achieve our 1st milestone by speedily registering the land (2/3) pic.twitter.com/F6qKdHHD4w
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) April 2, 2021
The Mahindra @life_spaces team will soon start the construction as per Kamalathal’s requirement. Once again thanks to BharatGas Coimbatore for providing her a continued supply of LPG. (3/3) pic.twitter.com/NO6YtWr9b5
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) April 2, 2021
People online expressed their happiness for the new chapter that is to begin in Amma’s life. Here’s what some of them said:
Wonderful… the grand old lady after so many years of hardship finally fould recognition in a big way… can’t imagine how she must be feeling inside 😊🤗
— Dr Charuhas (@charuhasmujumd1) April 2, 2021
#IdliAmma
Absolutely wonderful & heartwarming to see genuinely good people! Kamalathal & her selfless humanitarian service of decades wud hv remained an unknown obscure story had it not been for you Sir! Kudos & respect to ur contribution for giving Idli Amma this recognition— Rajeev (@exoticrajeev) April 2, 2021
It’s so inspiring story…at this age she thinks and commits for whatever she can give to society. It’s the act of giving to society. Thank you sir always your try to explore such inspiring story in social platforms. Thanks again
— Dr Asutosh Parhi (@drasutosh) April 2, 2021
The story as brought forward by you sir of Idli Amma is truly inspiring. Humanity wins with humbleness. Also great support to her by you. @PuneTimesOnline
— Salil Malvankar (@malvankar_salil) April 2, 2021
Very good initiative sir this will inspire next generation, also help them to understand the Joy of giving happiness to others. https://t.co/havGn6Ykfz
— Dhaval Shah🇮🇳DJ (@Garvi_gujarat2) April 2, 2021
Better days are on their way to Idli Amma’s life!