Coconut seller's gentle gesture at IIT Madras brings out stories of her big heart

Inside the lush, green campus of IIT Madras, a quiet, almost poetic moment has captured the internet’s attention. A now-viral video shows a woman gently offering coconut water to a deer, an interaction so simple, yet so deeply moving, that it has struck a chord with thousands online.

For many viewers, the clip feels wholesome. For others, especially those familiar with the campus, it carries a deeper sense of recognition. The woman in the video is known to generations of students as Sarala Amma, a coconut seller who has been a constant presence on campus for a long time.

The video was shared by Dr Anupama Kashyap, who often documents the serene coexistence of humans and wildlife within the IIT Madras campus. Known for its rich biodiversity, the campus is home to deer, monkeys, and a variety of bird species that roam freely, often becoming a part of everyday life.

Watch the video here:

In the comments, one Instagram user shared a personal memory that adds another layer to her story. Recalling a difficult period during demonetisation, the user wrote how Sarala Amma once noticed they were avoiding buying coconut water and quietly lent them Rs 100, “Life before UPI,” they added, highlighting her kindness beyond the transaction.

This isn’t the first time the campus has gone viral for such moments. Earlier, a video of a mother deer feeding her calf in the middle of a campus road showed people pausing, giving them space, a silent agreement between humans and nature.