ABOUT US
About Us
In 1988, when Dr. S Susheela and Dr. M Nagaraj started Sri Vidyanikethan School in Jaraganahalli, Bangalore, it seemed to be logical decision as both were qualified and experienced teachers.
At that time, they felt that it was the right time and place to start a school, as there were none in the area. Also, given their background in the social development sector, they wanted to reach out
to the children of the families who were migrants or struggling to earn a livelihood as workers in the unorganized sector.
Sri Vidyanikethan school, known as school mane, (school
house) operated from just two rooms and had enrolled 10 students.
Soon after, as Dr. Susheela and Dr Nagaraj wanted to initiate interventions in the social development sector, they started Vidyanikethan, which was registered as an NGO.
Since then, with the support of Government Departments, CSR, donors and Foundations, it has implemented more than 100 projects in areas
of socio-economic empowerment, health, natural resources and community empowerment.
Since its inception, Vidyanikethan has worked with communities in both rural and urban areas in
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
How we work
Survey in target areas
Identifying beneficiaries
Mobilization
Facilitating access of beneficiaries to information and opportunities
It works on a wide range of projects including education, health, environment,
community development and socio-economic empowerment.
Sri Vidyanikethan School continues to function in the same premises as the head office of Vidyanikethan, and provides affordable education to children of families from the low income group.
Board members (2023-2024)
| Sl No | Name | Designation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mr. Verghees Cleatas A.M | President |
| 2. | Mr. Anand Varadarajan | Vice- President |
| 3. | Dr. Susheela S | Secretary |
| 4. | Mrs. Joy Srinivasan | Treasurer |
| 5. | Mrs. Geeta Kumari | Member |
| 6. | Ms. Sarala | Member |
| 7. | Mrs Anitha K N | Member |
| 8. | Mrs. Lily | Member |
| 9. | Mr. Madan | Member |
Our Team
Head office
- Dr. M Nagaraj -Director
- Dr. Susheela S – Secretary
- Mrs. T Chaithra – Project Officer and Programs Coordinator
- Mr. Anand Kumar – Education Coordinator
- Mrs. C Shruthi – Accountant
- Mrs. Sunitha – Attender
- Mrs. Prema – Attender
- Mr. Mallikarjun – Driver
Project offices
1. Tree Plantation Projects
Mrs. Chaitra – Programs in Charge
2. Urban Homeless Program Puttenahalli
Mr. Shashidhar – Shelter Manager
Mr. Srikanth – Caretaker
Mr. Subramanya – Cook
3. Marenahalli
Mrs. Chaitra – Shelter Manager
Mrs. Anitha – Caretaker
Mr. Somashekhar – Caretaker
Mr. Bhargav – Cook
Mr. Mallikargun – Caretaker
4. Skills training program
Mrs. Mahalakshmi
Project offices
Margasusi Home
1. Lalitha – Warden
2. Jayachitra –
3. (name ) – Cook
Mugulur Makkala Mane
1. Jayalakshmi – Warden
2. Sharadamma – Cook
Skills Development and Women Empowerment
Bangalore Tailoring
1. Mahalakshmi
2. Bidar (placeholder for the name)
Head office
- Linkages to social welfare schemes
- Identifying needs of communities in terms of infrastructure in their areas and facilitating linkages with local stakeholders (gram panchayat)
- Improving the sanitation infrastructure in schools and communities
Branch office
- Sri Vidyanikethan School
- Skills Development Training
- Mugulur Makkala Mane
Project member
- Sri Vidyanikethan School
- Skills Development Training
- Mugulur Makkala Mane
Role of Vidyanikethan’s founders in various NGOs and forums
Dr S Susheela
| 1. | Prachodhana | Hassan | Treasurer |
| 2. | SEEDS | Harapanahalli | Member |
| 3. | REACH | Bagalkote | President |
Dr. M Nagaraj
| 1. | Vikasana | Tarikere | Secretary |
| 2. | Sandeep Seva Nilayam | Nelamangala | Member |
| 3. | Pragathi | Mysuru | Member |
| 4. | Prachodana | Hassan | Member |
| 5. | IIC | Bangalore | Member |
| 6. | SEVA Trust | Kanakapura | Trustee |
| 7. | Prathibhe | Mysuru | Member |
| 8. | IMAGE | Bangalore | Member |
Core areas of work and related projects
Education
Upgradation and renovation of infrastructure
- Construction of toilets
- Renovation and repairs of facilities
Residential facilities that support with multi-dimensional growth and development
- Margasusi Home – Hosur, Tamil Nadu
- Mugulur Makkala Mane – Sarjapura
Skills development and women empowerment
- Tailoring training – Bangalore
- Training in different skills to SHG members and
beneficiary groups – Bidar
Environment
- Forest rejuvenation
- Tree plantation (schools)
- Lake rejuvenation
- Tree plantation in metro medians
Support to the marginalized
- Urban Homeless project – Namma Mane
Networking groups
- FEVOURD – K
- Impact India
- Consortium
- Dhwani Foundation
Vision
To create an exploitation free and environmentally sustainable society
Mission
- To ensure that every child enjoys his or her childhood and avails the rights.
- To empower women and youth, challenged, neglected and marginalized sections of the society by promoting a participatory and rights based approach.
- To protect and improve human health by enabling access to various health care activities with special emphasis on maternal and child health.
- To prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and to ensure dignity and care for the affected patients.
- To promote, strengthen and empower local institutions such as community based organizations, women and youth groups, Self-Help Groups and Gram Panchayats
Objective
Empowerment of low income, marginalized, vulnerable and stigmatized communities, in particular, children, youth and women through information, and facilitating access to opportunities
Projects at a glance (2023-2024)
| Sl No | Projects in Karnataka | Funding Organizations |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sri Vidyanikethan School (Bangalore) Partial funding of salaries | Self-Supported Purvankara |
| 2. | Initiatives for Married Adolescent Girls Empowerment – IMAGE-NEXT (Bidar) | Comic Relief Fund, Tdh-NL Netherlands |
| 3. | Mugulur Makkala Mane (Sarjapura) | Ms Mala Mahesh and Mr. Uday C V |
| 4. | Skills Development program (Tailoring training) | Accenture and Nationwide Bank |
| 5. | Urban Homeless Programme | BBMP |
| 6. | Tree plantation in Govt schools in Dyavasandhra and Paduvanagara | Purvankara |
| 7. | Forest rejuvenation at Srinidhi Layout | Purvankara |
| 8. | Maintenance and follow up – Tree plantation in Bhootanahalli Forest | Continental Automotive Components India (Pvt Ltd) |
| 9. | Morarji Desai Hostel repairs and renovation – (toilets, fans, garden and ground area) | WABTEC DISH Technologies |
| 10. | Renovation and repair in Government Schools | Continental Automotive Components India (Pvt Ltd) |
| 11. | Construction of classrooms and multi-purpose hall in Gottigere Government schools (Primary and High school | Continental |
| Sl No | Projects in Tamil Nadu | Funding Organizations |
| 1. | Margasusi Home (Hosur) | WABTEC DISH Technologies |