Every day, meals are prepared for nearly 2,500 people across 32 villages within a radius of approximately 40 kilometres in Javadhu Hills. Until recently, this essential service involved a demanding routine: hours spent cooking rice over firewood, considerable physical effort and considerable exposure to smoke. For many older persons, widows and people without caregivers, these daily meals provide vital support.
Located in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, Javadhu Hills is home to the Malayali tribal community. Despite the region’s rich forests and agricultural resources, many communities continue to face difficulties with basic infrastructure and everyday necessities.
Recognising the need for a cleaner and more efficient system, Lions District 3241C stepped forward through its tribal welfare initiative. Electric rice boilers, vegetable-cutting machines and cooking vessels were provided through contributions from Lions S. Venkatesan, Dr. Durairaj Subbaiah and K. R. Balamurali.
The overall contributions totalled approximately ₹11 lakh, with Lion Venkatesan contributing ₹6.5 lakh towards the initiative.
Completed on August 26, 2026, under the leadership of District Governor Rajesh M. Joshi, the project was handed over to Menmai Trust, founded by Dr. Nila, for continued operation and maintenance.
The impact was immediate. A cooking process that once took nearly three hours can now be completed in one. As meals are prepared twice daily, the equipment has substantially reduced the time and effort involved, as well as dependence on firewood and exposure to smoke.
Menmai Trust also supports around 500 students each day while their parents are at work. Lion Dr. Durairaj Subbaiah and Golden Brothers Lions Club further contributed ₹30,000 towards the children’s education, provided 100 bedsheets for community use and presented sarees worth ₹20,000 to the teachers.
The Javadhu Hills Rice Boiler Project addresses a cost that was never measured in rupees: the time, effort, firewood and smoke involved in preparing thousands of meals every day.