Vidyaranya

Vidyaranya is a non-profit organisation founded in 1991 by M.C. Ramesh and his colleagues in Mandur village, Bengaluru, with a mission to support children, women, and the elderly through holistic empowerment programs. It is registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act of 1960. Vidyaranya operates across Bengaluru Urban, Hassan, and Ramanagar districts in Karnataka, and has grown from its original work on health and sanitation awareness into a wider network of homes, shelters, and rehabilitation centres. The organisation believes that all people have a fundamental right to dignity and self-determination, and works mainly with underprivileged groups, focusing on empowering people across every part of their lives rather than providing one-time aid.

Major Areas of Work

• Education and Child Care: Shelter and schooling for girl children and street children, including residential schools for children with special needs.
• Women Empowerment: Rehabilitation for women who are survivors of violence or in distress, along with hostels for disabled students and trainees.
• Senior Care: Shelter and support services for elderly people with no other means of care.
• Skill Development and Livelihood: Vocational training programs to help beneficiaries become self reliant.
• Health, Community Development, and Environment: Health support, community awareness projects, and tree planting initiatives.

Major Initiatives and Programmes

• Home for Girl Children: Residential shelter and education for girls from vulnerable backgrounds.
• Shelter for Street Children: Housing, food, and schooling for children living on the streets.
• Residential Schools for Specially Abled: Long term education and care for children with disabilities.
• Missing Child Bureau: A program supporting the search for and reunification of missing children with their families.
• Rehabilitation Center for Women Victims: Support and rehabilitation for women who have survived violence or exploitation. Impact

Vidyaranya reports having provided shelter and education to over 990 children, and support to more than 1,480 children with special needs. It has empowered and rehabilitated over 1,360 women, and provided shelter and support to more than 630 senior citizens. The organisation has run over 3,500 community initiatives and planted more than 40,000 trees across its operational districts. Vidyaranya has received recognition including the Karnataka State Award for Best Service Providers for Differently Abled Children and the Rotary Club Bangalore's Best NGO Award for Excellence in Community Service.

Leadership M.C. Ramesh, Founder and General Secretary D. Baskaran

Partners

Amazon, Byju's, WeWork, Sophos, Molex, Analog Devices, SBI General Insurance, Danske Bank, FICO, Essentra, GiveIndia

Vidyaranya suits people who want direct, hands on social work across a wide range of vulnerable groups, from children and women to the elderly, within a well established grassroots organisation. It offers over three decades of institutional experience, an accredited and award recognised track record, and a strong base of corporate partners supporting its work. It appeals to people who want to work close to the communities they serve, in a Karnataka based organisation with a long term, multi generational approach to social change.