India's 'monster eater'

Restaurant owners in the town of Trissur in the Indian state of Kerala can breathe a huge sigh of relief - the "monster eater" is retiring. They can now think again about launching "eat as much as you like" lunches and buffets. That is because Rappai - the man with the giant appetite - has been warned by medics to curb his food intake. In his prime it would have been an under-statement to describe Rappai's appetite as voracious.

'Unlimited meals'

This was a man who quite easily could plough his way through two buckets of rice and accompanying chicken and vegetable dishes. For breakfast it was said he could devour 75 idlies (rice cakes) and still have room for more. On one famous occasion, the man who locally became known as Theeta (monster eater) took advantage of a local restaurant's "unlimited meals" coupon. He reputedly scoffed three bucketfuls of rice, one bucket of fish curry and 10 kgs of cooked meat. [...]