After the story of an elderly couple selling sweets and polis on trains to survive in Chennai after their London-based daughter abandoned them went viral, actor and choreographer Raghava Lawrence has come forward to offer financial support. In a post on X, Lawrence said he was ready to contribute Rs 1 lakh to help the couple.
"Today, a post reached me through social media about an 80-year-old man and his wife in Chennai who make sweets and polis, selling them on trains to survive. Their resilience moved me deeply," he wrote. "I am ready to contribute Rs 1,00,000 to support their journey, hoping it brings them comfort and strength. I’ve been trying to reach the contact provided, but haven’t been able to. If anyone knows their details, please reach out to me."
The original post described the elderly man, identified as Ragavendra, and his wife, who were reportedly abandoned by their daughter settled in London. To make ends meet, the wife prepares sweets and polis at home, while the man sells them on busy trains across the city.
Dr Mouth Matters (@GanKanchi), whose post on the couple went viral, wrote that he had tasted the sweets and that "they are pure, divine, and filled with love”. “If you come across him, don’t just buy a sweet or a poli — buy his strength, his resilience, his unbroken spirit," the X user added.
The post, which has received over a million views, urged Chennai residents to support the couple by placing orders or buying directly from them on trains.
Lawrence, known for his philanthropic work, also urged the public to support the couple directly: “And if you happen to see them on the train, do buy their sweets and support them in any way you can.”
Lawrence’s gesture has been widely praised online, with many users sharing the post and offering to help locate the couple.
"That’s truly inspiring. Your gesture of support will not only help them financially but also remind everyone of the power of humanity," wrote X user Anu Yadav (@Anuyadav845070). Another X user Karthik Jayakumar (@kayjaydev) pointed out that the number displayed by the elderly man was not linked to any UPI, hence it was difficult for social media users to offer financial help without physically getting in touch with them.
Even Tamil Nadu BJP general secretary responded to Lawrence's post. "I have already sent our team to meet him in person since he is not picking up the calls. Will help him from my side also," AP Muruganandam (@apmbjp) said.
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