Who are Chennai’s ‘Famous Five’? Meet Cognizant employees serving special meals at old-age homes and orphanages

For five IT professionals in Chennai, weekends are not just about taking a break from work. They are also an opportunity to bring a little happiness to people living in old-age homes and child-care institutions. A group of colleagues from Cognizant Technology Solutions has been spending its Saturdays organising special meals, buying groceries and serving residents at institutions that often receive limited support. Known as the “Outreach Ministry Leadership & Operations Team”, the group has completed 88 food-service events and received financial support from nearly 200 people. Here is a closer look at the five colleagues behind the initiative.

Who Are The Five Cognizant Employees?

The team comprises Senthilnathan L., P. Yesuraja, Sathish Raja, Santhosh and Sanjeev Nanda. They work at Cognizant's Sholinganallur and MEPZ campuses in Chennai. The initiative began in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic had left many people struggling. The colleagues connected through common friends and decided to support less-known charitable institutions located outside Chennai's main city areas.

Their focus has been on old-age homes and child-care centres in places such as Marakkanam, Red Hills and Alamathi. Before selecting an institution, the team checks its credentials to ensure that the support reaches people who need it.

How Do They Organise Special Meals?

The group does not simply arrange food deliveries. Its members personally plan the menu, purchase ingredients and supervise the cooking and serving. Yesuraja takes charge of grocery shopping, often visiting Parrys Market in Chennai on Fridays to buy the ingredients needed for the following day's meal. The team also works with a chef named Kalandar from Tiruvallur, who helps prepare meals that often include non-vegetarian dishes. Senthilnathan explained the group's approach to The Hindu: “We only go to homes that allow us to cook and serve food, and we avoid giving financial aid.” He added that their aim is to provide residents with a memorable meal, even if they are serving a relatively small number of people.

88 Events And Nearly 200 Supporters

What started as a monthly activity has grown over the years. The group now aims to organise at least two special meal events every month, with Saturdays generally preferred. Senthilnathan said they typically serve close to 200 meals at an event. They have completed 88 events so far, with nearly 200 people contributing financially. The members also arrange useful items for residents. Sanjeev helps with fundraising and is described by the group as its biggest motivator. Yesuraja has also travelled to Erode to purchase bedspreads for people living in the homes.

Cognizant's 2024 Sustainability and Corporate

Citizenship Report shows that employee volunteering is also part of the company's wider community work. It said more than 47,000 employees worldwide contributed over 220,000 volunteering hours during the year. The team is planning a special Deepavali meal on November 21 at a home in Red Hills. The menu is expected to include chicken biryani and sweets, based on the children's wishes. For Sanjeev, the happiness that comes from these visits makes the effort worthwhile. He told The Hindu that the group experiences “a special joy” after every outing and hopes to continue the initiative. Their story shows how a small group of colleagues can turn their weekends into something meaningful for people beyond their workplace.