On January 3 at about 11:00 am, Venkatesh Hegde ("Tata") passed away. He was about 70 years old.

Tata had the most beautiful, peaceful eyes.

We met Tata in 2006 on the streets of Mysore. When we opened Karunya Mane, we asked him if he wanted to come to stay with us, so that he could get off the street. The only thing he asked was, "Will there be food?" Oh yes, plenty!

Tata moved to Karunya Mane in February of 2008. He was originally from a town about a 14-hour bus ride north of Mysore. He had a tough life, losing a son years ago in an accident. We aren't sure how he came to Mysore, but he lived for a long time on the streets of the city, after working as a waiter at a local hotel, and he begged for a living.

Tata was a quiet and very polite man, and everybody liked him.

Tata at Karunya Mane