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