Bhakti Chalak

Every day after 8 PM during Ramzan, the aroma of ghee and spices wafts from a house in JK Nagar near Khajamalai in Tiruchirappalli, Andhra Pradesh.

Inside, Selvi Rajeshwari is busy preparing food for Muslim students staying in various hostels across the city. When the entire city gets ready to call it a day, Rajeshwari places large vessels on the stove, chops onions, washes rice, and puts it into a huge cauldron.

Despite being a Hindu, she has become an integral part of the Ramzan tradition.

She has been preparing Sehri (the pre-dawn meal) during the holy month of Ramzan for years to help students follow their faith by fasting.

Selvi Rajeshwari with others in the kitchen preparing Sehri for students

Rajeshwari is the only Hindu in the kitchen of Professor Mydeen Abdul Kader, where meals are being prepared to serve the Muslim students fasting during the month of Ramzan. Professor is a tented in the house of Rajeshwari. Years back he was moved by the struggle of out-of-town students and decided to organise pre-dawn meal for them.

Consequently, he started cooking food and distributing it for free. What began as a small initiative has now transformed into a major service, feeding over 100 to 200 students daily.

Rajeshwari plays a crucial role in this entire process. From peeling onions to lighting the stove and packing food parcels, she works alongside Mydeen and his mother, Fatima. Dishes like Ghee Rice, Kuska, Vegetarian Biryani, Dal Rice, and Tomato Rice and boiled eggs are distributed among the students.

Speaking to the media, Rajeshwari says, "Fatima and her son prepare Sehri meals for fasting Muslim students. They start work at 8 PM every night, and I assist them. I want to serve humanity without looking at caste or religion. It gives me mental peace."

Selvi Rajeshwari helping in cooking Sehri for students

This work continues until 4 AM. The expenses are met through the help of friends and charitable organisations. However, the initiative is drawing special attention due to Rajeshwari's participation. Rajeshwari views this with simplicity. She says, "I love what I am doing; it gives me satisfaction."

Teacher N. Mohideen Abdul Kader from Jamia Anwarul Uloom Arabic College and his team have been providing this service daily from 11 PM to 4:30 AM since Ramadan began on February 19. Registrations for the meals are taken until the afternoon. Notably, all these preparations are done in a space provided free of cost by Rajeshwari.

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This journey, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic, continues consistently today. In Rajeshwari's kitchen, just like spices, different religions have blended. Students in Tiruchirappalli find great support in this hot meal provided every Ramadan. Through these packets, Rajeshwari's motherly affection reaches every student.