“A few years ago, I worked with an NGO in a village. I spent three months with a team there. We constructed toilets and educated them on hygiene and menstruation. The time there truly changed my perceptions towards life. It got me thinking about ways in which we could do something for the society or for those who don’t have what we have. I also traveled solo to many countries, which made me value life and time. When I was back in Hyderabad and I wanted to start something on my own, I realised that there were hardly any hostels for girls. I visited a couple of them and they were all pathetic. Most of the girls there were preparing for civils. How can anybody who wants to study, be in an environment that doesn’t allow you to grow? That’s when I decided to start She Stays. It was challenging, it still is, honestly. It took me time to find the right place. I did a lot of research on the kind of colours and decor that brightens up people’s lives. If you visit any of the rooms, you’ll notice that it’s done up in yellow and blue. My father wasn’t very sure that the idea would work. He said it’s a lot of risk to be responsible for the women staying in a hotel. But I went ahead, I was sure. In less than 45 days, my hostel was full and it has been full ever since. Every day, I get requests but there’s only so many we can accommodate. My aim wasn’t to just provide a roof. We’ve been conducting motivational sessions by award-winning speaks and empowerment lessons. If these girls are the future of our country, they deserve to have the best exposure and understanding of the world. After all, they’ll decide our country’s future soon.”

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