‘Happy To Serve Idlis At ₹1 For A Living’

Kamalathal, 82, has been selling idlis for just Re 1 for more than two decades now in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. She feels this is her way of contributing to society and these are reasons for her to continue.

I have been doing this for the past 20 years now and don’t know how long this will continue. I don’t have anybody in my family. I am alone. I earn Rs 200 daily. I don’t aim to earn money out of selling idli at this price. If I had aimed to become a crorepati by doing this, I could have done that in these many years. But, I decided, no, I only earn my small livelihood.

I go about preparing idlis after waking up before the crack of dawn, working from 5:30 am and continue till noon. Through out the day I sell about 400-500 idlis and earn about Rs 200, which, I believe, is a modest amount for me to live on. I am happy when people come to me and I serve them piping hot idlis.

I serve idlis with chutney and sambar which I prepare myself. if I had to go and earn for my livelihood, I could go out and earn Rs 200 daily, but the same amount I earn by doing this. I sell my stuff to earn the amount which I require.

I have been flooded with offers of help from across the country after a video went viral. I have been offered an LPG gas connection too. This is supposed to be issued by Bharat Petroleum Corporation.

But I find my true reward only when people appreciate my food. Many people who come here often find it difficult to believe that the idly cost Re 1. My answer to them is just a smile.