Five-Star Chef Feeds the Homeless Destitute

“At the end of life, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in’.”

- Saint Teresa of Calcutta

Narayanan Krishnan

Narayanan Krishnan was a bright, young, award-winning chef with a five-star hotel group. He was shortlisted for an elite job in Switzerland. But a quick visit home before heading for Europe changed everything. “I saw a very old man eating his own human waste for food,” Krishnan says. “It really hurt me so much. I was literally shocked for a second. After that, I started feeding that man and decided that this is what I should do for the rest of my life.” He adds: “Believe me; I had never seen a person eating so fast, ever. As he ate the food, his eyes were filled with tears. Those were tears of happiness.” Lamenting at the colossal waste of food Krishnan says, “Throwing parties at banquet halls to honour people... So much food is wasted. Hundreds of people will come, but only a handful will eat the food.”

Narayanan quit his job as a chef to become a full-time social worker of sorts. Says he, “That spark and that inspiration is a driving force still inside me as a flame—to serve all the mentally ill destitute and people who cannot take care of themselves,” Krishnan said. He founded his non-profit Akshaya Trust in 2003. Krishnan said the name Akshaya is Sanskrit for “undecaying” or “imperishable,” and was chosen “to signify that human compassion should never decay or perish. The spirit of helping others must ever prevail.” Also, in Hindu mythology, Goddess Annapoorna’s “Akshaya bowl” fed the hungry endlessly, its contents never depleting!

Krishnan’s day begins at 4 a.m. He and his team cover nearly 125 miles in a donated van, routinely working in temperatures soaring over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. He seeks out the homeless under bridges and in the nooks and crannies between the city’s temples. The hot meals he delivers daily consists of simple, tasty vegetarian fare he personally prepares, packs for nearly 400 people, many of whom he literally hand-feeds every day. He says many of the homeless seldom know their names or origins, and none has the capacity to beg, ask for help or offer thanks. “The panic, suffering of human hunger is the driving force for me as well as Akshaya’s team members,” he says. “I get this energy from the people. The food I cook, the enjoyment which they get, is the energy. I see their souls. I want to save my fellow humans.”

The group’s operations cost about $327 a day, but sponsorships and donations only cover 22 days a month. Krishnan subsidizes the shortfall with $88 he receives in monthly rent from a home his grandfather gave him. Krishnan sleeps in Akshaya’s modest kitchen with his few co-workers. Since investing his entire savings of $2,500 in 2002, he has taken no salary and subsists with the help of his once unsupportive parents. “They experienced a lot of pain, and naturally so, because they had spent a lot on my education,” he said. “I pleaded with my mother, ‘Please come with me, and see what I am doing.’ After coming back home, my mother said, ‘You feed all those people for the rest of your life; I am there, I will feed you.’ I’m living for Akshaya. My parents are taking care of me.”

"We should feel it in our heart of hearts that the destitute and homeless are also human beings who deserve care"

Despite the demands and few comforts his lifestyle affords, Krishnan says he’s enjoying life. “Now I am feeling comfortable and happy,” he says. “I have a passion; I enjoy my work. I want to live with my people.” Akshaya opened the doors of Akshaya Home on 9 May 2013. Krishnan and team have rescued 450 people who are now residents at the home. The residents get medical attention, physiotherapy, and freshly prepared food. Akshaya’s work is not just about the mental rehabilitation of its residents but also their physical rehabilitation.

“We should feel it in our heart of hearts that the destitute and homeless are also human beings who deserve care. The food gives them physical nutrition; love and affection works on their minds. The ultimate purpose of life is to give. Start giving and you will feel the joy of living. I don’t feed beggars. They can look after themselves. The mentally ill won’t ask anyone for food or money,” says N Krishnan who has been feeding them thrice a day for the past seven years now. I change the menu for different days of the week. They will get bored if I serve the same food every day,” he says with an enthusiastic and infectious smile.

Though a Brahmin, Krishnan does not believe in caste distinctions. He hugs those of the upper and lower classes alike, feeds them, cuts their hair, shaves them, bathes them and provides healthcare if needed. When he learnt that local barbers refused to serve these people, Krishnan went to a salon and learnt 12 styles of cutting hair! He always carries a comb, razor, shaving brush and soap with him. I believe that unreached people who die on our streets should be cremated with dignity. I believe that everyone has 5.5 litres of blood and that we all are equal”.

For Narayanan, Akshaya home is a key element in the Trust’s long term goal. Fortunately, his dream is slowly becoming a reality 2.74 acres of land has been purchased on the outskirts of Madurai. Software giant Infosys and TVS were so impressed with his work that they donated three acres of land to him in Madurai. Krishnan hopes to build a home for his wards in Madurai. He has built the basement for a women’s block which will house 80 inmates.

The home will have separate dormitories for men and women, dining and kitchen facilities, a clinic, and an acute care unit. It will provide living, healthcare and support facilities to 100 men and women. After it is completed, it will help in making its residents self-reliant. They will be taught to volunteer in the kitchen, to make pickles, etc., and to perform other useful chores in running the Trust. Five out of the ten blocks planned have already been sponsored. In addition to the sponsoring of the remaining blocks, funding is also needed for medical equipment, staffing and operating costs. The Trust depends solely on public donations. There are no government grants, endowments, or other income-producing projects.” In its ninth year of operation, the Trust has served over 1.2 million fresh and hot meals three times a day to 400 destitute and helpless people. It serves fresh food every day. And most important, it has complete transparency and accountability.”

Apart from his father and mother, Krishnan’s sister Shweta, who is an M.Sc in Microbiology, also volunteers her help. Krishnan is happily married to Harini. Krishna has achieved a larger than life persona because of his divine thoughts and actions. He also performs the funerals of unclaimed bodies in Madurai. He collects the body, bathes it and gives it a decent burial or cremation as the need may be. He gets calls, both from the Municipal Corporation and general hospital for such funerals. Akshaya is the place where God can be seen in the form of Narayanan Krishnan.