Work is worship fame ‘Ajjamma’ No more
Udupi: Kamala Mendon popularly known as Ajjamma for the students of MGM College passed away on Saturday, April. 15. She was 90. She is survived by a son and six daughters.
For the students of MGM College in Udipi, Ajjamma’s Hotel was the place to go when they were hungry without worrying about their pockets. Thousands of students from MGM Colleges experienced Ajjamma’s motherly love and compassion with which she served them dosas and omelets.
Around 70 years ago there were no other canteens in the vicinity and hence boys preferred to go to her hotel for lunch. Kamala Mendon started a small canteen in a small building in front of the college about 70 years ago. The food and the love with which she served them helped forge a bond between the students and Ajjamma .
Students preferred Ajjamma’s Hotel as she charged a reasonable price. Even when students did not have money, they would not hesitate to go there. Ajjamma without saying anything would serve the food as usual with the same love. Ajjamma even used to make students drink ‘paleda kashaya’ consumed as a tradition on Aati Amavasya day in coastal districts.
In 2013 an old student of MGM College who experienced Ajjamma’s motherly love and compassion decided to renovate the eatery run by the octogenarian Kamala Mendon, their Ajjamma. Students under the headship of Vilas Nayak, an entrepreneur, gave their favorite hangout place a facelift. They also rechristened the eatery with a capacity to seat about 15 persons as ‘Ajjamma’s Cafe.’