Even as the 80-year old Kamalathal’s once inconspicuous service of selling hot idlis at a meagre Rs.1 to the community in Vadivelampalayam near Perur gained widespread acclamation owing to media reports, the District Collector K Rajamani invited the simple veteran to the Collectorate to laud and honour her.
Even as the 80-year old Kamalathal’s once inconspicuous service of selling hot idlis at a meagre Rs.1 to the community in Vadivelampalayam near Perur gained widespread acclamation owing to media reports, the District Collector K Rajamani invited the simple veteran to the Collectorate to laud and honour her.
At an age when most people choose “armchair” lives for some peace and quiet, Kamalathal carved a different path for herself with the sole intention of helping needy families. She has been selling hot idlis with sambar and chutney at 50 paisa for 15 years and at Rs.1 for the next 15 years, spanning three decades which is noteworthy in itself.
She parcels idlis only for those who bring along their own vessels and her renowned delicious idlis have brought people even from a 5km radius of where she sells. Her grandson Purushotaman supports her in her humble venture.
Having heard rave reviews of her noble service, many businessmen have recently met her to congratulate her. The Coimbatore District Collector in his meeting with her at the Collectorate heard Kamalathal share about the dilapidated condition of her home and assured her of free housing under the Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana scheme. Kamalathal explained to the Collector that she lived with her widowed daughter and grandson Purushotaman and in the event of her death, they would be unable to manage daily expenses.
Kamalathaal may seem to have got her due now with all the recognition and laurels coming her way but her purest joy stems from feeding the “needy and hungry” who cannot afford a decent meal while labouring hard to make ends meet for their households.