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World Idli Day 2026: Meet Eniyavan, The Chennai Man Who Turned A Simple Idli Into A Global Celebration

Divya Danu — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:35:50 +0530

March 30 is celebrated as World Idli Day, a special day dedicated to one of India's most loved breakfast dishes. The day was first celebrated in 2015 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. What makes it even more interesting is the story of the man behind it - M Eniyavan. His journey is not just about food, but also about hard work, creativity and never giving up.

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A post shared by Eniyavanidly (@eniyavanidly)

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A post shared by Eniyavanidly (@eniyavanidly)

A simple meeting that changed everything

Eniyavan’s life took a turning point in an unexpected way. Years ago, when he was working as an auto-rickshaw driver, he once picked up a passenger carrying a large container of idli batter. Her name was Chandra, and she supplied idlis to local eateries. Watching her work gave him a new idea. He realised that the idli business could be started by anyone with simple resources.

This moment inspired him to try something new, according to an article published in Indian Express.

Also Read: Valmiki Became 'Sultan' To Escape Law, But After 21 Years On The Run, Police Finally Catch Up

From struggle to starting his own business

Eniyavan came to Chennai in 1997 at the age of 27, hoping to build a better life and escape poverty. He tried different small jobs before becoming an auto driver. Inspired by Chandra, he decided to start making and selling idlis from his home in RK Nagar.

However, his journey was not easy. On the very first day of his business, heavy rains flooded his house. The water entered his kitchen, damaged his idli steamer and spoiled the batter.

Despite this setback, he did not give up. He repaired his equipment over the next 20 days and restarted his work with determination.

Adding creativity to a simple dish

What made Eniyavan stand out was his creativity. He did not want idli to remain just a basic breakfast item. The idea of innovation started at home. When his daughter asked for pizza, he created an idli version of it by adding vegetables and spices to the batter. She loved it.

This encouraged him to try more ideas. He made chocolate idlis, pudina (mint) idlis and even beetroot idlis to make food more interesting for his children. He also experimented with ingredients. For example, he used tender coconut water instead of plain water while preparing the batter, making the idlis both tasty and healthy.

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A post shared by Eniyavanidly (@eniyavanidly)

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A post shared by Eniyavanidly (@eniyavanidly)

Taking idli to a bigger stage

His passion kept growing. In 2012, his catering company designed special heart-shaped idli plates on February 14. Later, he organised a unique event where he displayed 1,000 different varieties of idlis at Vivekananda Vidyalaya Junior College.

The event attracted around 14,000 people and received wide attention. Many were surprised to see how a simple idli could be turned into so many forms.

This event became a major step in promoting idli on a larger scale.

Also Read: 'It Was My First Accident': Jaipur Woman Says Sorry After Damaging Motorcycle in Viral Video (WATCH)

How world idli day was born

Impressed by his efforts, Rajamani, president of Samayal Sangam, declared March 30 as World Idli Day. The first celebration took place in 2015 in Chennai. Since then, the day has been observed every year, with people celebrating the taste and comfort of idlis.

Eniyavan believes idli is not just food, but an emotion. He says it is so soft and comforting that even babies who refuse milk can be fed mashed idlis.

A life changed by passion

Eniyavan’s life has changed completely over the years. From struggling to survive, he now travels, stays in good hotels and is invited to speak at colleges. He has also built a better life for his family and educated his children.

Looking ahead, he plans to expand his business further by opening hotels across Chennai. His goal is to make idli recognised not just as a breakfast item, but as a global food.

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A story that inspires

Eniyavan’s journey shows how a simple idea and strong determination can change a person’s life. From a chance meeting to creating a global food day, his story continues to inspire many.

On World Idli Day, his journey reminds us that even the simplest things can achieve great success.

'Traumatising Audio, Video Calls': Woman Alleges Harassment By Rapido Driver After Late-Night Ride

Divya Danu — Tue, 12 May 2026 19:54:50 +0530

A woman’s detailed account of an allegedly disturbing late-night Rapido ride from Delhi to Greater Noida has gone viral online. In her post, she claimed that the driver harassed her during the journey and continued contacting her afterwards from multiple phone numbers.

The post was shared on Instagram by Shaivya Vashishtha. She said the ride took place in 2025, but she decided to speak about it publicly only now. She explained that she wanted to see whether 'the internet still has power' to raise women’s safety concerns. She also posted screenshots of an email she said she had sent to Rapido soon after the incident.

Allegations about behaviour during the ride

In her post, Shaivya claimed that the driver repeatedly played sexually suggestive songs during the trip. She also alleged that he asked intrusive questions about her personal life and family.

According to her, this behaviour made her feel increasingly uncomfortable and unsafe.

She said the situation did not stop when she reached home. After the ride ended, she alleged that the driver began calling her continuously.

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Claims of repeated contact

Shaivya stated that even after blocking his number, she started receiving calls and messages from different numbers. She further claimed that at one point, the driver made a video call from a bathroom. She described this as deeply traumatising.

Her video post quickly gained attention online. Many users expressed anger and concern in the comments. Several women also shared their own experiences of uncomfortable rides, saying that travelling late at night often feels unsafe despite safety claims made by ride platforms.

Rapido issues public response

Following the viral post, Rapido responded publicly in the comments section.

The company said the behaviour described was “completely unacceptable.” It added that customer mobile numbers are masked on the platform for privacy reasons.

Rapido asked Shaivya to share her registered mobile number and ride details through direct message so that the matter could be investigated urgently.

In its message, the company said:

It was truly sorry she had to face such a distressing experience.

No one should feel unsafe during or after a ride.

The concern would be taken seriously.

The driver’s behaviour was not acceptable on the platform.

It would take appropriate action against the captain involved.

Rapido repeated that customer numbers are masked and requested full details to move forward with the inquiry.

Online reactions and wider discussion

The incident has triggered strong reactions online. Many users tagged the company and asked for strict action.

Some users wrote that the matter needed serious investigation. Others expressed fear about late-night travel. Several comments focused on passenger safety, privacy, and platform responsibility.

One user suggested that people should report such matters to the cyber crime portal and local police. Another user mentioned muting unknown video calls on messaging apps for safety. Some users shared their own similar experiences.

The discussion also included concerns about data privacy and how contact information might be accessed. One commenter explained that UPI transactions may reveal certain details, and suggested changing UPI settings for added privacy.

Broader concerns about women’s safety

The viral post has once again brought attention to safety during late-night travel. Many users said women often feel vulnerable while travelling alone.

The conversation online focused on the need for stronger safety systems, quick action from companies, and better protection for passengers.

The incident has also raised questions about how ride platforms handle complaints and what steps are taken after reports are filed.

The allegations shared by Shaivya Vashishtha have sparked a major online discussion about safety and accountability in ride services. Rapido has responded and asked for details to investigate the matter. While the company says it takes such concerns seriously, the case continues to draw attention and debate about passenger safety and privacy in India’s growing ride-hailing sector.

From Politics To Devotion: Tej Pratap Yadav's New Shiva-Focused Social Media Move

Divya Danu — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:06:23 +0530

Tej Pratap Yadav has launched a new Instagram page where he shares videos showing devotion to Lord Shiva. He speaks about spirituality, ego and life’s temporary nature. Known earlier as Krishna devotee, his posts show a shift towards Shiva bhakti.

Tej Pratap Yadav, the elder son of Lalu Prasad Yadav and a former minister in Bihar, is once again in the news. This time, it is not for politics but for his spiritual side. He has created a new Instagram page named 'santtejpratapyadav' and has been sharing posts on devotion and spirituality.

On this new page, he has posted videos where he appears dressed in saffron clothes, showing himself as a devotee of Lord Shiva. The videos have quickly caught public attention and sparked discussion online.

Videos show strong Shiva devotion

In the videos shared on his new page, Tej Pratap is seen talking about the importance of Lord Shiva and spiritual life. In one video, he explains how “bhasma” (ash) is very dear to Lord Shiva. He says that everything in life is temporary and will one day turn to ash.

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