Milestones
Milestones
Early Years (1949 – 1974)
1949 | Bala Mandir is founded; The Foundling Home |
| 1951 | The Bala Mandir Nursery School begins – to cater to the educational needs of the Toddlers growing up (being raised) in Bala Mandir. |
| 1951 | Bala Mandir becomes “Children’s Home” – recognized by Government |
| 1956 | The Bala Mandir Primary School comes up to provide primary education for students – to help the children in Bala Mandir and those from the nearby urban slum to aspire to the next stage of education. |
| 1958 | Bala Mandir adds “Reception Home” to the children’s programme |
| 1960 | Bala Mandir begins support for marriages for its orphan children – in order to rehabilitate them into society |
| 1961 | Education requirements lead to the beginning of Satyamurthi High School – to enable children to access higher education |
| 1962 | Carpentry Unit is established to provide training to equip children for the future – especially for children who are school dropouts and those not inclined towards academics and in need of skills training. |
| 1965 | In- country adoption begins for Bala Mandir children to rehabilitate them into society – a new option for rehabilitation of children into society – and limited international adoptions as well. |
Expanding (1975 – 1999)
1975 | Registered as Bala Mandir Kamaraj Trust under Societies Act |
| 1975 | Tailoring Unit is set up – More skills training for the children. Girls undertake tailoring of clothes for the younger ones. |
| 1977 | Bala Mandir German Hall is set up, donated by D.W.H., West Germany. A place to showcase the various cultural events of the children of Bala Mandir and generating income for the institution. |
| 1983 | The Bala Mandir Research Foundation is established to take up research issues focused on child development, education and parenting. |
| 1984 | A Screen Printing Unit is begun – growing needs for skills training linked to manufacture of educational toys. |
| 1985 | Bala Mandir Vidyalaya English Medium begins operations – responding to the demands of the community to give their children education in the English language. |
| 1987 | A Transit Home at Nagercoil is started. |
| 1987-88 | Satyamurthi High School is upgraded to Higher Secondary School as a bridge between school and college education |
| 1988 | Dental Clinic is started – to care of the oral health and hygiene of all the children |
| 1988 | Physiotherapy Clinic – to attend to the needs of physically challenged children |
| 1989-90 | English medium is introduced at Satyamurthi Higher Secondary School – English, a necessary base for the children opting to go in for Higher Education |
| 1991 | Homeopathic Clinic is introduced – as a general health screening , as treatment of illnesses for young children and to deal with chronic cases. |
| 1993 | A Crèche and Day Care Centre facility is set up for children from nearby slum areas – to help elder girl siblings to pursue education and the mothers to go for jobs. |
| 1993 | Nursery School is merged with Primary School as a good administrative option. |
| 1995 | Paediatric Clinic – School Health Programme – Extending medical and health care to all the children accessing services in the Bala Mandir complex |
| 1996 | Eye Clinic is established, as eye check-up is a vital need for academic pursuit. |
| 1997 | Beginning of Home Sponsorship programmes – as an extension to help destitute children to be rehabilitated with their family. |
| 1997 | Transit Programme for working girls instituted – preparing the orphan girls for the world outside, learning to function independently with guidance. |
| 1998 | Basic Skills Training is started, with courses in computer training, typewriting, tailoring, carpentry etc. – to create a change in the outlook of youth towards manual skills and enhancing their capabilities. |
| 1998 | Comprehensive School Health Programme is introduced – taking on the responsibility of referrals and follow-ups for all children in Bala Mandir |
| 1999 | The Industrial Training Centre (I.T.C.) is set up under NCVT – as an advancement of the skill level. Training in Bala Mandir is opened to youth from urban slum and rural areas. |
| 1999 | Bala Mandir celebrates its Golden Jubilee |
Consolidating (2000 – 2015)
2005 | Bala Mandir Resource Centre is set up – reaching out to parents of all strata of society |
| 2009 | Bala Mandir completes sixty years. Bala Mandir Kamaraj Trust redefined as a mother NGO with five divisions – Children’s Programme, Education, Vocational, Medical, Rehabilitation. |
| 2009 – 2014 | Significant changes in the process of working of each of its units. Carpentry Unit closed. School Higher Secondary section was closed and project launched for revamping of the school. The Children’s Programme also underwent a qualitative shift due to changes in the JJ Act. |
| 2015 | Bala Mandir VTC started short term courses in “Carpentry for interiors” and “Installation and Servicing of Air Conditioners”. |
| 2015 | Bala Mandir Vidyalaya English Medium Primary School inaugurated. |
The Renewal Phase (2015 to date)
2015 | Severe Flooding of Bala Mandir – Reported in the National News |
| 2016 | Rebuilding project launched – Spontaneous donor response to the appeal for support. Various infrastructure improvement projects completed with donor support. |
2017 | Approval to get donations under Sec 35 AC – lasted for a short time and law was amended. |
| 2017 | Nagercoil New Building project completed. Chennai Infrastructure improvements continued. |
| 2018 | Merger of BMRF activities under BMKT |
| 2018 | Transfer of MNC activities under BMKT |
| 2019 | Vocational Training activities stopped + Building taken up for conversion to primary school |
| 2019 | Project to convert German Hall to office complex (Harmony Square) completed |
| 2020 | Vidyalaya Primary School moves into new building |
| 2020 | Jivikam activities started in MNC unit |
| 2021 | Kinship Care Programme started |
| 2022 | Creche Started |