The power of social media to help people has been demonstrated time and again. In 2020, we saw the internet coming forth to help out the elderly couple running 'Baba Ka Dhaba', as they were barely able to make ends meet with their food business during the pandemic. Many similar stories have emerged on social media since then such as the elderly Kanji Bada seller from Agra and so on. One such story has again come to light in the recent past, thanks to industrialist Anand Mahindra. Kamalathal, or 'Idli Amma', is an 80-year-old lady from Coimbatore who makes idlis by hand and sells them for a mere price of Re. 1. Take a look:
One of those humbling stories that make you wonder if everything you do is even a fraction as impactful as the work of people like Kamalathal. I notice she still uses a wood-burning stove.If anyone knows her I'd be happy to ‘invest' in her business & buy her an LPG fueled stove. pic.twitter.com/Yve21nJg47— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) September 10, 2019
(Also Read: 80-Year-Old Woman Selling Idli At Just One Rupee Gets A Huge Reward From Govt.)
The video of 'Idli Amma' was originally shared by industrialist Anand Mahindra on Twitter, where it went viral and received over 600k views. He had praised the enterprising lady for her undeterred efforts to serve the needy at an affordable price. Mr. Mahindra also offered to buy her an LPG-fuelled stove, since he observed she was using the traditional wood-burning setup. Bharat Gas Coimbatore then stepped forward and issued a gas connection in her name.
Now, the Chairman of Mahindra group of industries has gone a step forward in helping the octogenarian. He shared a tweet about how he played a 'small part' in Idli Amma's inspiring story, by arranging a home and workspace for her. Take a look:
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
He further wrote about how the first milestone in helping her had been achieved by registering a plot of land in her name. He thanked the Registration Office at Thondamuthur for helping in the speedy registration. Anand Mahindra said that the Mahindra Lifespaces team would be starting the construction soon as per Idli Amma's requirements. Take a look at the tweets:
???????? 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
The incredible act of generosity by Anand Mahindra won praise on Twitter. Take a look at what Twitter users said about the kind gesture:
You are a role model for industrialists in India! Hatsoff to you Mr.Mahindra!— nirranj prabhu (@nirranjprabhu) April 3, 2021
Your approach gives a confidence that humanity is still not dead in corporate.— M K Jha (@jhamk2) April 2, 2021
Yesterday my wife made delicious Idli & sambhar; I was then sharing with my mom & wife your intention to support Idli Amma. And today reading about this next step to support her, wow ????, kudos to you Mr @anandmahindra ????????????— Kuldeep (@KulYdv) April 3, 2021
That's really sweet and kind of you to help her out sir. God bless ????????. You have set an example to everyone.— Roshan Varghese (@drRoshanV2017) April 3, 2021
God bless you sir! This generation is proud to have you around! Please continue inspiring millions ????????????????— Vimal (@Vimal56626053) April 3, 2021
What did you think of the inspiring story? Tell us in the comments below!
About Aditi AhujaAditi loves talking to and meeting like-minded foodies (especially the kind who like veg momos). Plus points if you get her bad jokes and sitcom references, or if you recommend a new place to eat at.