Every morning, long before most of Delhi wakes up, 77-year-old Natarajan begins his day with a mission.
By 4 am, he is already working to ensure that earthen pots filled with drinking water are replenished across the city. For thousands of daily-wage workers, labourers, drivers and passers-by battling the summer heat, these matkas offer something simple yet essential: free access to clean drinking water.
Over the years, this commitment has earned him a name many in Delhi now recognise — the ‘Matka Man’.
Today, his network of 100 matka stations serves hundreds of people. Spread across multiple locations, the initiative has become a lifeline during periods of extreme heat, when access to drinking water can be difficult for many who spend their days outdoors.
But for Natarajan, the work has never been only about water.
It is about dignity.
Having spent years abroad before returning to India, Natarajan says a cancer diagnosis prompted him to confront the certainty of life and death. The experience strengthened his desire to give back and dedicate his time to meaningful work.
What began as an effort to provide drinking water gradually evolved into a broader philosophy of service rooted in sincerity, humility and respect.
He dislikes describing his work as charity. Instead, he calls it sharing.
In his view, those who have more than they need should share what they can with others. Whether it is water, food or time, the act matters most when it is offered sincerely and without any sense of superiority.
That philosophy extends to the weekly meals he serves as well. Prepared with the same care as food cooked at home, the meals are designed to ensure that people feel respected rather than pitied.
“Give it with dignity,” is the principle that guides much of his work.
Natarajan believes social service is not about grand gestures or public recognition. It is about showing up consistently, treating people with respect and recognising their humanity.
His efforts are largely self-funded, supported by occasional sponsors and a close-knit team that includes his wife and long-time staff members. Together, they manage everything from cooking meals for hundreds of people to maintaining the growing network of water stations.
Despite the scale of the initiative, he remains convinced that change begins with simple actions.
For him, a matka filled with water is more than a clay pot. It is a reminder that compassion can be practical, that service can be personal, and that dignity should never be a privilege.
In a city that never slows down, the Matka Man continues to prove that one person’s commitment can touch thousands of lives — one pot of water at a time.
To know more about Natarajan, view his full video interview by The Better India here.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: thebetterindia.com
