Man's journey from conviction to redemption | Fusion - WeRIndia

K Manikandan from Perambalur, Tamil Nadu, was once convicted of murder. However, his life turned around when he spread health and wellness through nutritious food.

His journey from a life-altering crime to becoming a provider of wholesome food began in 2019 when he opened the shop.

Manikandan’s life took a tragic turn in 2001 after a violent land dispute led to the death of his neighbour.

In a fit of rage, he attacked and killed the man who had harassed his mother.

Although he deeply regrets his actions, the incident changed everything. Sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2003, Manikandan lost much.

His parents passed away, and he missed the birth of his two sons. While in prison, he graduated with a degree in social work, determined to make amends for his past.

After his release in 2018 for good behaviour, Manikandan struggled to find work due to his criminal record.

Rather than give up, he drew inspiration from his family’s traditional knowledge of Siddha medicine.

Using this expertise, he opened a shop with the help of a ₹15,000 loan from a self-help group, selling aloe vera juice and millet porridge.

Both aloe vera and millets have numerous health benefits, which Manikandan promotes with passion.

Despite his past, Manikandan’s commitment to spreading awareness about healthy food is unwavering.

His shop offers affordable, nutritious drinks and meals to the community, helping people understand the value of natural remedies.

His wife, Amutha, who stood by him through his imprisonment, now sees his efforts to lead a meaningful life with pride.

Serving others healthy food is a form of redemption for Manikandan. His street-side shop represents his effort to redeem himself.

Through his small business, he aims not only to support his family but also to make nutritious choices accessible to everyone.

Image Credit: DaCentaur at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ragi_Porridge.jpg