Every night in Tiruchirappalli, as the city winds down, one kitchen stays awake. Selvi Rajeshwari, a Hindu resident of J.K. Nagar, joins her tenant Professor Maideen Abdul Kader and his mother Fatima to prepare pre-dawn meals for over 100 Muslim hostel students. Many of these students are far from home and rely on these meals to start their fasts during Ramadan.
From washing rice and chopping onions to cooking ghee rice, kuska, tomato rice, and vegetable biryani, the team works quietly but with dedication. By midnight, the food is packed into neat parcels, ready for delivery. These meals are sent to students across in Tamil Nadu’s KK Nagar, Subramaniapuram, and Sethurapatti, reaching them before 4 am.
Serving Humanity Without Boundaries
When asked why she dedicates herself to this nightly effort, Rajeshwari said, “I do this because I want to serve humanity, without looking at caste or religion. It gives me peace of mind.” Over the years, she has become an integral part of this Ramadan tradition, blending faith and service seamlessly in her kitchen.
From Small Beginnings to a Citywide Effort
The initiative began several years ago when Professor Maideen Abdul Kader noticed the struggles of outstation students who could not access Sehri on time. He started cooking and distributing meals free of cost. “Though it started modestly, it has grown into a service feeding more than 100 students,” Rajeshwari said.
Rajeshwari plays a key role in the preparation process. Alongside Maideen and Fatima, she lights the stove, peels vegetables, cooks, and packs meals. Boiled eggs, dal rice, and other dishes are portioned carefully to ensure every student gets a proper meal.
Delivering Meals Across the City
By 11 pm, the food parcels are ready for delivery. Maideen then travels up to 50 kilometres to distribute meals to hostels of government and private colleges. This continues until nearly 4 am every morning during Ramadan.
The effort is supported by donations from friends and charitable organizations, but Rajeshwari’s involvement has drawn particular attention. “I like doing what I am doing, it gives me satisfaction,” she said. For her, the act of helping is more important than recognition.
Faiths and Service Blend in the Kitchen
In Rajeshwari’s kitchen, religious differences do not matter. She works with Muslim hosts to ensure students across Tiruchirappalli receive warm meals during Ramadan. Many of the students may not even know her name, but her care is present in every food packet delivered.
“Fatima and her son prepare Sehri food for Muslim students who observe fasts. They start at 8 pm every night and I help them during that time,” Rajeshwari said. “It gives me peace of mind to serve humanity.”
