On Mother's Day, today, industrialist Anand Mahindra fulfilled his promise of providing a house to M Kamalathal of Tamil Nadu, fondly known as ‘Idli Amma'. The octogenarian has been making and selling idlis for Rs 1 for the past 30 years. She is affectionately known as ‘Idli Amma'.
While sharing a video showing ‘Idli Amma' entering her new home, Mr Mahindra tweeted, “Immense gratitude to our team for completing the construction of the house in time to gift it to Idli Amma on Mothers Day. She's the embodiment of a mother's virtues: nurturing, caring and selfless. A privilege to be able to support her and her work. Happy Mother's Day to you all!”
Immense gratitude to our team for completing the construction of the house in time to gift it to Idli Amma on #MothersDay She's the embodiment of a Mother's virtues: nurturing, caring & selfless. A privilege to be able to support her & her work. Happy Mother's Day to you all! pic.twitter.com/LgfR2UIfnm
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) May 8, 2022
Idli Amma lives in Vadivelampalayam, a village in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore district. For over 30 years, she has been selling idlis with sambhar and chutney for just Rs 1. In 2019, her story became viral. Unconcerned about her profits, she extended her services to people in need, particularly daily wage workers and their families.
Mr Mahindra had, then, shared a video of her making idlis and offered to help her. He had tweeted then. “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.”
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
In April 2021, he tweeted about her again and this time promised that she would have her own house. “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 and sell idlis,” read Mr Mahindra's tweet.
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
In another tweet, Mr Mahindra said that for ‘Idli Amma' “her priority was a new home/workspace”, and went on to add that he was “grateful to the registration office at Thondamuthur for helping us achieve our 1st milestone by speedily registering the land”.
???????? 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
In a subsequent tweet, he said that the construction of the house would soon begin.
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
On Mother's Day, he kept his word. Many users appreciated Mr Mahindra's act.
One user said this would provide some respite to her “while doing the selfless work she does”
So noble. Iam sure she would now have some respite while doing the selfless work she does. In a time where a simple Plate of idli is priced for rs 100 in most places, making it available at 1 rupee is philanthropic
— Prof Wingardium leviosa (@lost_untilfound) May 8, 2022
Cheers to you and idli Amma ????????????????????????#HappyMothersDay2022
Another user appreciated Mr Mahindra's gesture of providing a house with all the amenities that were needed, including “good windows for steam to get out”.
Appreciate for not only noticing but follow it up construction n handover of house with all amenities need for d house.. noticed few good windows for steam to get out.. water pipes outside for washing hands..!!
— Muru (@Murucommonman) May 8, 2022
A third user congratulated Mr Mahindra and his team for getting “this done in short span of time”.
This is so nice Sir that too on a Mother's Day. To get a blessings from this Amma is blessings from God. Congratulations to you and your dedicated team to get this done in short span of time. ????
— Anil Menon (@Anil3575) May 8, 2022
One user even offered to contribute whatever he can the next time Mr Mahindra decides to do something similar for someone else in need.
Superb work ! Next time so let me know I will be happy to share the cost with a small amount, I am not a man of major means, but will be happy to pick up a small share.
— lalit gore (@lg22156) May 8, 2022
What do you think of Mr Mahindra's deed?
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