Restaurant puts business on backseat for flood victims

Kolapasi is a takeaway eatery with its outlets in Choolaimedu, Ashok Nagar, Mogappair and Adyar. When the low-lying areas in the city were submerged and those stranded were struggling to get proper food, the staff of Kolapasi came forward to help on November 23 and November 24.

“On November 21, we received a bulk order from Naga Mills that make Naga Rava. They had given us raw materials and asked us to make 5,000 boxes of food for the flood victims. This gave me an idea to start something from our side as well,” says Santhosh Muruganantham, an engineer-turned-entrepreneur and founder of Kolapasi.

“I put out a word to my friends and family, who donated money for the cause. On Sunday, apart from cooking for the outlet, we made 2,000 packets to be given out. We also put out a message on social media. We decided to shut down all our four outlets and make food that we could distribute,” he says

Corporates and individuals came forward to help. “One of our customers put a post in Facebook group called ‘Where Chennai Eats’ and people from that group joined us in our cause and sponsored the food. We made a total of 30,120 boxes by Tuesday evening. People sponsored from UK, Australia, USA , Singapore, Malaysia. We ended up receiving more than Rs 1 lakh on Tuesday.” Ask him if he was worried about the business, he says, “I am happy to help the city that gave me everything.”