MNK
Chef and Social Worker

Madurai Narayanan Krishnan

· Tamil Nadu

Founded the Akshaya Trust to feed and care for homeless people in Madurai since 2003.

Narayanan Krishnan is an Indian chef-turned-social worker.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Narayanan Krishnan abandoned a prestigious chef career just days before moving to Switzerland after witnessing a destitute man eating his own waste in Madurai in 2002.

The Story

1
In 2002, while visiting a temple in Madurai, Narayanan Krishnan witnessed an elderly man eating his own human waste, a moment that shocked him deeply and changed his life's course forever.
2
🌟 Within a week of that incident, Krishnan quit his prestigious chef job with a five-star hotel, abandoning a planned elite career in Switzerland to serve the homeless in his hometown.
3In 2003, he founded the Akshaya Trust, a nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding and caring for homeless, mentally ill, and destitute individuals in Madurai.
4By 2016, Krishnan and his team had served over 2.25 million free meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, to elderly and abandoned people on the streets.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
CNN-IBN Indian of the Year

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 2003, just a year after witnessing extreme destitution, Krishnan established Akshaya Trust, which by 2016 had served more than 2.25 million free meals to street dwellers in Madurai.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth of Narayanan Krishnan
Narayanan Krishnan was born in Tamil Nadu, India, setting the stage for his future work in Madurai.
1981
🌟
Other
Witnesses destitution in Madurai
While visiting a temple in Madurai, Krishnan saw an elderly man eating human waste, an event that deeply impacted him and prompted a career change.
2002
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Career
Quits chef job
Krishnan quit his position at a five-star hotel within a week of witnessing destitution, foregoing a job opportunity in Switzerland.
2002
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Career
Founds Akshaya Trust
Krishnan established Akshaya Trust to provide food and care for the homeless and mentally ill in Madurai.
2003
🌟
Other
Surpasses 2.25 million meals served
By 2016, Akshaya Trust had served over 2.25 million free meals to destitute individuals across Madurai.
2016
⚡
Career
Akshaya Home shelters 1,500 people
The Akshaya Home provided shelter to around 1,500 elderly and disabled persons and helped reunite hundreds with their families.
2016
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Krishnan begins his workday at 4 a.m., personally overseeing meal preparation and distribution to mentally ill and destitute people who are often abandoned by their families.

02 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Despite being shortlisted for a prestigious chef position in Switzerland, Krishnan left the opportunity behind after a brief family visit to Madurai in 2002.

03 / 04
💡SURPRISING

The name 'Akshaya' means 'undecaying' in Sanskrit, reflecting Krishnan's belief that human compassion should never perish, inspired by Goddess Annapoorani's mythical endless food bowl.

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"I saw a very old man eating his own human waste for food. 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."

— Madurai Narayanan Krishnan

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Narayanan Krishnan - The chef-turned-social worker of India.
More from this archive
Narayanan Krishnan - The chef-turned-social worker of India.
01
Narayanan Krishnan - The chef-turned-social worker of India.
Meaning of Life | An Inspiring story about the Social Worker | Narayanan Krishnan | Mahesh Murali
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Meaning of Life | An Inspiring story about the Social Worker | Narayanan Krishnan | Mahesh Murali
Narayanan Krishnan - A Real Indian Hero.flv
03
Narayanan Krishnan - A Real Indian Hero.flv
CNN Heroes Tribute Narayanan Krishnan
04
CNN Heroes Tribute Narayanan Krishnan

🌱 What changed because of them

Narayanan Krishnan’s Akshaya Trust has directly addressed urban homelessness and mental illness by providing millions of free meals and shelter, setting a model for compassionate grassroots social work in Tamil Nadu. His efforts have also raised awareness about the neglected elderly and mentally ill population in India’s cities, inspiring similar initiatives across the country.

💬 Social Buzz

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