Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Feeding hungry souls is his calling

HYDERABAD: It was a sight of not much consequence for the thousands of commuters that cross L.V. Prasad Eye Institute daily.

However, Ch. Venkata Apparao, an ordinary dubbing artiste among them, was intrigued by the sight of scores of villagers—a majority of them old and infirm--resting on the footpath near the hospital. A resident of Venkatagiri near Jubilee Hills, Apparao was moved by what he heard upon enquiry. White card-holders eligible for free treatment come for check-up from all over the State and when they are given a later date for the next check-up or surgery, they prefer to stay on the footpath till then braving the cold and hunger.

“The area does not even have a coffee hotel. Sleeping with empty stomach was the only option. My immediate response was to feed them for the day,” Apparao, an ex-serviceman recalls an incident of five years.

He went home and shared the idea with his wife Saroja Devi, who immediately agreed to help. On the same day, 30 persons had meals cooked by her.

From then on, the couple has been feeding the patients--now numbering over a hundred--on and off.

“For three years, I cooked meals which consisted of rice, curry, sambar and chutney. Later, due to health problems, the task had to be handed over to a local mess,” says 51-year-old Saroja Devi.

Mess owner Venkateshwar Rao does his bit by supplying food at concessional rates, while a provision store contributes disposable plates. Apparao is also helped by many volunteers in serving the meals. This act of compassion by the ordinary couple has got them many followers.

First to emulate were Apparao’s neighbours. Now hardly a day goes when the footpath sojourners do not have food.

The endeavour costs Apparao Rs.4,000 to Rs.5,000 per month.

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