Narayanan Krishnan was born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India in 1981. He became an award-winning chef at the Taj, a 5 star hotel in India shortly after his graduation from college. Krishnan was also shortlisted for a job at an elite hotel in Switzerland.

However, when he visited his hometown of Madurai to see his parents before he left, he saw a homeless man eating his own waste for food. “That night I thought, what am I doing? I am selling a plate of fried rice for ten dollars in my hotel where people come and have food for fantasy, fun, joy and recreation. Not for hunger. They eat only half portion of it and leave half of in the plate. It was a spark, a very powerful spark that I had". He quit his job that week, and began cooking for the homeless.

Narayanan Krishnan and his team now cook for 450 people a day at their homeless shelter in Madurai. They have served over 1.2 million meals to the hungry since 2002, traveling 125 miles every day in a donated van to bring food to those who needed it. He founded the non-profit charity Akshaya Trust in 2003, and has since worked tirelessly in his commitment to feed the poor.

Not only does Krishnan provide food for the hungry, but he also gives haircuts and shaves to the homeless as a way of restoring their dignity while they work together. "For me everybody is the same. Every individual in this world is entitled to receive help in their life. So I personally feel that we are all responsible to give back to society to our maximum".

Not only does Narayanan care for the poor, but by helping them, giving them human contact, he does far more than just feed them. Although he was born a Brahmin, not allowed to associate himself with the poor, especially the "untouchables", Krishnan had the courage to break the barriers between castes in Indian society.

The Akshaya home was inaugurated on May 9th, 2013. It serves as a sanctuary where the homeless can find food and shelter. The organization is currently working on Phase II of its expansion, to increase living space and the quality of life for its residents. The home aims not only to feed, but to heal spiritually.

The standards for a human hero have long been standardized by readers and writers. Homer’s Odyssey portrays its protagonist, Odysseus, as strong, courageous, noble, sharp-witted, and thirsty for glory. While these traits can certainly define a hero, a modern hero is very different. Narayanan Krishnan showed an alternative kind of strength and courage. Rather than pursue fame and fortune, Krishnan sought an alternative route to happiness: feeding the thousands of homeless individuals in his hometown. A modern hero has the strength to sacrifice his own glory for the good of others.