This 70-year-old Tamil Nadu Woman serves idlis to poor for free

Speaking to ANI amid customers thronging her shop on a Sunday morning, Rani said people come to her shop only because she showers love on them and considers all as family. "I do not have a proper shop what I have a temporary makeshift arrangement. People come to me only because of the love I shower on them. I never treat them as my customers rather I consider them as a member of my family," she said and added: "Although I am old, I earn my livelihood."

Tamil Nadu: A 70-yr-old woman Rani runs an idli shop near Agni Tirtham in Rameswaram&serves idli free of cost to the poor;says,“We charge Rs.30 for a plate of idli,but we do not insist upon money. Who doesn’t have money,we don’t charge them. We still use wood as fuel for cooking” pic.twitter.com/yQuwihqv8o

— ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2019

Rani said she still uses the traditional wooden stove to prepare her food because it is "economical". Rakku, who works at her idli shop, said the shop provides temporary employment to her. "I hail from a fisherman family. When we do not go to fishing, I work here," she told ANI. She said that Rani does not insist on money if anyone is not able to pay for the food. "So many people are our daily customers. We do not insist on the money. Even if anyone does not have money, you serve them the food and do not insist for payment," Rakku said.

Rani's roadside shop is famous amongst the locals and tourists alike. "In Rameswaram, If you visit any hotel and have food, it will cost you at least Rs 60 but this shop offers food in just Rs 30. The most important thing is even on this age she works and maintains the old methods to prepare the food," Nagendran, a customer, told ANI.

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