Hyderabad Heroes: Kothapet’s Andari Illu offers haven to homeless and needy

You may have seen and heard people say 'This is my house’. Do you know there’s one place in the bustling Kothapet locality where a house is popularly known as ‘Andari Illu’ meaning ‘ a home for all’.

This is probably the only house in Hyderabad city where the visitors are not identified or asked for who they are or what caste or religion they belong to. You’ll be greeted with a smile when you enter this home, regardless of your background.

This ‘Open House’ not only offers a roof and food to the needy people, but also offers an escape from the hustle bustle of the city to the unemployed youth who visit this place to prepare for their competitive examinations.

A doctor couple, Dr Surya Prakash Vinjamuri and Dr S V Kameshwari founded this ‘Open House’ in 2006 under their NGO, Life-Health Reinforcement Group (Life-HRG), to serve the poor and shelterless people. Their only motto in life is to serve society as per their capacity. They added that this home is open to anyone who has a hunger for food and knowledge. They have made several books and study materials available here for youth preparing for government examinations.

According to the doctor couple, the visitors who enter their ‘Andari Illu’ should feel at home. They can use the groceries such as rice, oil, salt, spices and vegetables kept in the kitchen room to prepare the food for themselves.