When Narayanan Krishnan, one of the World’s Top Ten Heroes of 2010 named by CNN, received the V-RYTHM Award and a cheque of USD25,000 from QI Group Executive Chairman Vijay Eswaran in 2011, it signified the beginning of an exciting new journey for RYTHM Foundation and the Akshaya Trust.
Krishnan founded the Akshaya Trust with his own savings after he saw how the mentally-ill were being harassed on the streets – the donation by RYTHM Foundation would aid the completion of the Akshaya Home that was being built; a home that would provide food and shelter to the homeless, helpless and mentally disabled people of Madurai.
His mission began in 2002 when he witnessed an old homeless man eating his own human waste out of desperate hunger. Deeply moved, he gave up his job as a star chef in a 5-star hotel and an opportunity to work in Switzerland, and devoted his life to serving the mentally ill destitute in his hometown. After nine years, together with his team, they served 1.2 million hot meals and continue to feed almost 400 people daily, come rain or shine. He also offers haircuts and a shave, hoping to provide those he serves the dignity they deserve.
9 May 2013 marked a new beginning for RYTHM Foundation and Akshaya Trust, as the home officially opened its doors to accommodate over 400 residents and is spread over a 60,000 sq.ft. area campus in Nagartheertham, Kodimangalam village, Madurai.
RYTHM Foundation donated a total of USD 65,000 to further Krishnan’s noble mission. In recognition of this donation, Krishnan named the block housing the kitchen, dining and store-room, the ‘RYTHM Block’. The QNET team in Bangalore together with Ms Donna Marie Glenn Imson, Trustee of RYTHM Foundation felicitated Krishnan by awarding the Indian chef-turned-social worker a ‘Certificate-of-Merit’.
When Narayanan Krishnan, one of the World’s Top Ten Heroes of 2010 named by CNN, received the V-RYTHM Award and a cheque of USD25,000 from QI Group Executive Chairman Vijay Eswaran in 2011, it signified the beginning of an exciting new journey for RYTHM Foundation and the Akshaya Trust.
Krishnan founded the Akshaya Trust with his own savings after he saw how the mentally-ill were being harassed on the streets – the donation by RYTHM Foundation would aid the completion of the Akshaya Home that was being built; a home that would provide food and shelter to the homeless, helpless and mentally disabled people of Madurai.
His mission began in 2002 when he witnessed an old homeless man eating his own human waste out of desperate hunger. Deeply moved, he gave up his job as a star chef in a 5-star hotel and an opportunity to work in Switzerland, and devoted his life to serving the mentally ill destitute in his hometown. After nine years, together with his team, they served 1.2 million hot meals and continue to feed almost 400 people daily, come rain or shine. He also offers haircuts and a shave, hoping to provide those he serves the dignity they deserve.
9 May 2013 marked a new beginning for RYTHM Foundation and Akshaya Trust, as the home officially opened its doors to accommodate over 400 residents and is spread over a 60,000 sq.ft. area campus in Nagartheertham, Kodimangalam village, Madurai.
RYTHM Foundation donated a total of USD 65,000 to further Krishnan’s noble mission. In recognition of this donation, Krishnan named the block housing the kitchen, dining and store-room, the ‘RYTHM Block’. The QNET team in Bangalore together with Ms Donna Marie Glenn Imson, Trustee of RYTHM Foundation felicitated Krishnan by awarding the Indian chef-turned-social worker a ‘Certificate-of-Merit’.
