Helping the needy and disadvantaged is not merely a corporate social responsibility but a deep-felt personal commitment to spread happiness among rural communities.-Raju Vegesna

Nearly three decades after the Indian economy opened to the world, the country’s social development indicators have not kept up with its rapid economic growth. Many Indians continue to live with inadequate infrastructure and poor access to services.

The Raju Vegesna Foundation supports various social initiatives to improve health, housing, community spaces, and living conditions.

TTD Annadanam complex

Pratibha Patil, then President of India, opened India’s largest pilgrimage dining hall at Tirupati, home of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple that is one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage sites.

Established by the Raju Vegesna Foundation, the TTD Annadanam complex serves free food to over 120,000 pilgrims every day. ‘Annadanam’ refers to the tradition of offering food to the needy, the most sacred of donations according to Hinduism.

After inaugurating the complex, the President spent nearly two-hours in the complex. Andhra Pradesh’s then Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, Governor ESL Narasimhan, Tirupati MP Chinta Mohan, and MLA Chiranjeevi were present.

Later, the dignitaries along with then Ministers Geetha Reddy and Raghuveera Reddy participated in the devotional music programme organized by the TTD’s Sri Venkateswara Bhakthi Channel. President Patil, along with her husband Devi Singh and son Rajendra Singh and several other family members, ate lunch at the Annadanam complex.

During the inauguration, Mr. Raju Vegesna had said: “This is indeed a momentous occasion for us. We are deeply honored that Her Excellency, The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Patil, consented to inaugurate the complex and grace the occasion with her presence. The Foundation will continually strive to contribute towards the socio-economic development of the country through its upcoming projects.”

Named Mathrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Nithyannadana Complex, this facility covers an area of 150,000 square feet and is located right behind the main temple complex in Tirumala. Every day, free food is served at the hall for a minimum of 10 hours. About 6000 pilgrims sit down to a meal in batches, each batch being about 30 minutes long.

The building has four dining halls in two floors. In addition to rice and South Indian meals cooked here daily, about 4,000 Rotis or Indian flatbreads are also prepared. The Annaprasadam complex has modular kitchen equipment with modernized cooking ranges, trolleys, vessels, and dining tables. Around 1,000 employees, including office staff, catering supervisors, cooks, cleaners, and contract workers are in the service of devotees visiting Tirumala.

Community halls for religious recitals

The Vegesna Foundation is also building a spacious Pravachana Mandapam and Brahmotsava Mandapam, spaces for religious recitals and discourse, in Tirupati. These halls will accommodate up to 200,000 people in 50 to 60 acres of land at Tirupati.

Sri Venkateswara Institute of Research and Rehabilitation for the Disabled

India has some 40 to 80 million persons with disability. Despite a strong disability rights movement, low literacy, lack of accessible spaces and social stigma make it hard for the disabled to earn a living. RVF works towards empowerment of the differently abled and endeavors to assist them in overcoming the restrictions imposed by their condition and pursuing a normal, self-reliant life.

Sri Venkateswara Institute of Research and Rehabilitation for the Disabled (VIRRD) was inaugurated by former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu on November 12, 2007, in Dwaraka Tirumala, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. The hospital has been a source of succor for the disabled. Apart from treatments and surgeries, physically challenged children are given callipers, physiotherapy, and walking aids.

The Vegesna Foundation ensures that amenities of international standards of are available to treat the disabled.

The VIRRD Hospital has conducted 52 camps in association with BIRRD Hospital of Tirupati headed by its Director Dr. G. Jagadish & completed 942 corrective surgeries, distributed 734 calipers and examined 6,990 out-patients, completely free of cost. The foundation has helped more than 13,000 disabled people get a free medical check-up. The Hospital plans to provide free meals to the patients and free accommodation to the doctors and staff at the time of camp.

Housing, Marriage Halls and Crematoriums

The Raju Vegesna Foundation has contributed to building Marriage Halls, Community Halls and Crematoriums to benefit deprived communities. The Foundation works with the rural poor to build houses and enhance living conditions.