Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and Hyderabad District Collector Hari Chandana Dasari during the inauguration of Samatha Kitchen at the Hyderabad District Collectorate at Lakdi-ka-pul, Hyderabad, on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
What if the chair you sit on at a cafe was once a discarded tyre, or the table in front of you has been shaped from recycled plastic that might otherwise have ended up in a landfill? At Samatha Kitchen in Hyderabad, these are not design choices but the foundation of an idea. The newly-opened cafe uses repurposed material, turning waste into functional infrastructure, while creating pathways for livelihoods for people from marginalised communities.The cafe, established under the Hope In a Cup (HIC) model, was inaugurated by Minister Ponnam Prabhakar at the Hyderabad District Collectorate at Lakdi-ka-pul on Thursday (April 9).At the centre of the project is a ‘Recycled Zone’, where waste materials have been repurposed into usable infrastructure. A total of 710 kg tyre waste has been utilised, including 350 kg from seven lorry tyres, 144 kg from 18 small tyres and 216 kg from 18 medium tyres. In addition, 300 kg of recycled plastic has been used to make furniture such as chairs, while 40 kg of steel drums have been repurposed for utility elements within the cafe.“These materials have been adapted into seating, fencing and other functional structures, demonstrating how discarded resources can be converted into durable public assets,” said Hyderabad Collector Hari Chandana Dasari.Ms. Dasari said the initiative is being run on the lines of the Indiramma Canteen model, with a focus on affordability and accessibility for the public.The recycled infrastructure was produced by Children in Conflict with Law (CICL) at the Government Home in Saidabad under the Department of Juvenile Welfare, Correctional Services and Welfare of Street Children, Telangana. Around 30 boys took part in a 15-day skill development programme supported by Envision Energy, Bengaluru, contributing to the creation of the cafe’s eco-friendly components.Ms. Dasari added that Samatha Kitchen is also designed as a platform for skill development and employment in the hospitality sector. The initiative focuses on providing opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), women, youth and transgender individuals through hands-on training in food preparation, hygiene, customer service and cafe operations. Trainees undergo on-the-job training within the cafe, supported by mentorship from experienced professionals, allowing them to gain real-time exposure to industry practices.In addition to functioning as a workplace, the cafe has been positioned as a community space. It offers affordable, hygienic food and beverages while serving as a venue for social interaction, dialogue and small events. Published - April 09, 2026 07:32 pm IST
