This is what brought tears to my eyes today morning…

I had been hearing the name of Narayanan Krishnan for the last few days but travel and work prevented me from finding out more…This morning, I finally read his story…and could not stop my tears… Many of you may have already read/heard his story…Those of you who have not, please read brief excerpts below. Krishnan’s story starts in 2002...At age 20, he was young, award-winning chef with a five-star hotel group, short-listed for an elite job in Switzerland. But a quick family visit home before heading to Europe changed everything.

“I saw a very old man eating his own human waste for food,” Krishnan said. “It really hurt me so much. I was literally shocked for a second. After that, I started feeding that man and decided this is what I should do the rest of my lifetime.“

As he was to write later, this was a defining moment for him:

As the old man ate the food given to him, he held Krishnan’s hand, giving the very real sensation of a powerful energy. This triggered an experience of inner happiness and fulfillment Krishnan had never felt before.

Today,

He seeks out the homeless under bridges and in the nooks and crannies between the city’s temples. The hot meals he delivers are simple, tasty vegetarian fare he personally prepares, packs and often hand-feeds to nearly 400 clients each day.

“Now I am feeling so comfortable and so happy,” he says. “I have a passion, I enjoy my work. I want to live with my people.”

Image courtesy: Akshaya Trust

In 2003, still barely 22, he set up the nonprofit Akshaya Trust…Now 29,

..he has served more than 1.2 million meals — breakfast, lunch and dinner — to India’s homeless and destitute, mostly elderly people abandoned by their families and often abused.

…Krishnan’s day begins at 4 a.m. He and his team cover nearly 125 miles in a donated van, routinely working in temperatures topping 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 are simple, tasty vegetarian fare he personally prepares, packs and often hand-feeds to nearly 400 clients each day.

Krishnan carries a comb, scissors and razor and is trained in eight haircut styles that, along with a fresh shave, provide extra dignity to those he serves.

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. They may be paranoid and hostile because of their conditions, but Krishnan says this only steadies his resolve to offer help…

The group’s operations cost about $327 a day, but sponsored 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 had a lot of pain because they had spent a lot on my education,” he said. “I asked my mother, ‘Please come with me, see what I am doing.’ After coming back home, my mother said, ‘You feed all those people, the rest of the lifetime I am there, I will feed you.’ I’m living for Akshaya. My parents are taking care of me.”

Please take a moment today to forward this story to your family, friends and acquaintances. Please consider donating any amount that you can…and please please don’t forget to vote for him in the CNN Heroes poll.

Krishnan’s story made me feel very small today…and strengthened my resolve to fight for a country and society where no woman, no girl, no child and no man goes hungry…and is ensured a life of dignity.

I am truly humbled by the work of this great man…and deeply embarrassed and ashamed that it took me so many years to find out about him. Please do share and spread the word.

Somewhat Related posts: Send @ least 1 email today… and  “The City that Ended Hunger” – A friday feel-good story

Additional Reading: Sujalam, Suphalam*…and yet…