FULL STOMACHS WILL FILL HEARTS

A humble canteen run by Elumalai in Villupuram serves lunch to about 80 people daily for ₹10

- KRITHIKA SRINIVASAN

EVERY noon, the comforting aroma of a delicious lunch fills the air of Perumbakkam village. It is not a lavish spread. It comprises rice, sambar, vegetables, and buttermilk; enough to satiate the hunger of at least 80 residents per day. You surely can't miss the glint in their eyes.

For the past 10 years, a humble canteen, affectionately known among the residents as '10 Rupees Hotel', operates at the front yard of the house of a man in his late fifties, upholding the beacons of generosity and community spirit. Run by S Elumalai of Villupuram, who works as a manager at Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL), this canteen has been providing free lunch to Perumbakkam residents since 2014 and only recently started charging 10 for a meal.

Embracing the principles of 19thcentury saint and social reformer Vallalar, Elumalai gave wings to his philanthropic ventures and began providing food, free of cost, at various temples and homes for a decade (2004-2014), thereby laying the foundation for a broader initiative. His commitment towards feeding the hungry stems from pure admiration for Vallalar's teachings on compassion and charity.