Hyderabad: Conjoined Twins Veena-Vani Step Into Their 24th Year

Hyderabad: Veena and Vani, the conjoined twins born with their heads joined, turned 24 on Friday.

Born on October 16, 2003, at a private hospital in Suryapet, the twins are the second children of Maragani Murali and Nagalakshmi, daily-wage labourers from Birisettigudem village in Danthalapalle mandal of Mahabubabad district. The couple has four daughters - eldest Bindu, conjoined twins Veena-Vani, and youngest Sindhu.

The twins were born with a rare condition called craniopagus, where their heads are fused.For the first two years, they were treated by Dr. Naidamma of Guntur. From birth until age ten, they stayed at Niloufer Hospital in Hyderabad. From 2006 onwards, specialist teams from Niloufer Hospital, Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, and doctors from London, Singapore and Australia examined them for a possible separation. However, AIIMS Hospital, Delhi concluded that separation surgery was too dangerous due to shared brain structures and blood vessels, and could lead to severe disability or death. The plan was eventually shelved, leaving the parents disappointed.

In June 2017, the twins were shifted to Shishu Vihar, a state-run home near Ameerpet in Hyderabad, where they continue to live under the care of the Women and Child Development Department. Despite their medical condition, the twins focused on education and completed their B.Com in Business Analytics from Osmania University with distinction.

They are now reportedly preparing for competitive exams and Chartered Accountancy (CA) exams. In mid-2026, they were scheduled to appear for the SBI Probationary Officer preliminary exam at the TCS iON Digital Center in Batasingaram. Despite requesting to sit together, they were allotted separate rooms.

Despite living in challenging conditions, Veena and Vani have never let it limit their dreams. With unwavering determination, they continue to pursue their academic goals with a smile, inspiring many with their courage and positive spirit.