‘The Famous Five’ from Chennai’s IT sector

Sam , Sanjeev , Senthil , Yesuraja and Satheesh On Fridays, when software professional P. Yesuraja is missing from his seat, earlier than his checkout time, his colleagues at Cognizant Technology Solutions at MEPZ campus in Tambaram Sanatorium know where he is headed. Yesuraja would be going grocery shopping to Parrys, something he does with great zeal, ticking off the laundry list of items. It is responsible work, one geared to a special lunch scheduled the next day.Five colleagues from CTS - Shollinganallur and MEPZ campuses, all senior and mid-level professionals, have been leading an initiative to feed residents at old age homes and child care institutions a special meal prepared under their supervision ingredients carefully sourced from the market.The team call themselves “Outreach Ministry - Leadership & Operations Team” and comprises of Senthilnathan L., P. Yesuraja, Sathish Raja, Santhosh and Sanjeev Nanda. There are many others who pitch in, including Senthil Selvaraj and Vasudevan, fundraising coordinators who are currently residing outside India.It all started in 2020, when COVID anxiety was high and many went without jobs. These IT professionals got to know each other through common friends, and they thought of doing their bit for the less privileged. They decided to cater to less-known charitable institutions that are away from the city limits and are struggling with the little means that came their way. But this would be after verifying their credentials.In the last five years, homes — located in Marakannam, Red Hill and Alamathi — have benefited from this large-hearted gesture of these software professionals.Senthilnathan first heard about this initiative when he was in the United States in 2000 and contributed financially. A year later, when he was back home, he joined the group to add strength to it, with his fundraising skills.Senthilnathan lists out some principles they have strictly followed so far. “We only go to homes that allow us to cook and serve food, and we avoid giving financial aid. Our objective is that even if we were to serve a small bunch of people, it had to be the best meal in town, one they would remember,” says the Valsarvakkam resident.From one event a month, in the last three-four years the team has extended the scope of this outreach to commit at least two special events a month; Saturdays are generally preferred.The team has chef Kalandar from Tiruvallur, who accompanies the group to cook a sumptuous meal that often includes non-vegetarian items.“Close to 200 meals is what we typically do, and we have completed 88 events so far with close to 200 people supporting us financially,” says Senthilnathan, adding that many of his friends on Facebook have been generous with their contributions.“Fortunately money has not been a challenge so far, but getting time from all of us sometimes is,” he says, adding that it is a full-day commitment.Sometimes the group donates items in kind.Sanjeev, whom the team calls the biggest motivator, helps with fundraising. He recalls buying clothes from stores in Nanganallur. Yesuraja, who sometimes brings his family along when visiting homes, travelled to Erode to shop for bedspreads that were distributed to residents.As part of Deepavali, the group will be celebrating a special meal on November 21 at a home in Red Hills, and chicken biriyani and special sweets are on the menu in keeping with the wish list of the children.“There is a special joy we all go back after every outing and we hope to keep this going,” Sanjeev says, happy with the “Hindi Uncle” name he has got from the children. Published - November 07, 2026 12:24 pm IST