Our Journey

Our Journey

In 1974, the journey of Manovikas Kendra started as a small initiative with a big vision— to unlock the full potential of individuals with special needs and empower them. At a time when resources were scarce and awareness was low, Manovikas Kendra took its first steps in a small space on Short Street, Kolkata. As the institution grew, so did its impact. Manovikas Kendra evolved into one of India’s first multi-disciplinary centres, integrating education, therapy, and research to empower individuals with disabilities. With pioneering efforts in early intervention, assistive technology, and vocational training, it transformed from an institution into a thriving community—uniting educators, therapists, researchers, and families. Beyond its classrooms, Manovikas Kendra became a powerful advocate, influencing policies, collaborating with global experts, and shaping a more inclusive society.

Today, Manovikas Kendra continues to evolve, expanding its reach and deepening its impact through innovation. Manovikas Kendra is more than just an institution—it is the living legacy of Dr Sharda Fatehpuria’s vision, resilience, and relentless pursuit of inclusion. What began as her personal mission to create better learning opportunities soon became a movement that reshaped disability care in India. Dr Sharda Fatehpuria built a transformative space where education, therapy and empowerment converged, and where every child was seen and every family supported. Her journey is Manovikas Kendra’s journey, and her unwavering dedication continues to open doors for generations to come. With every milestone, the mission remains unwavering: to break barriers, transform mindsets, and open doors for individuals with disabilities to lead independent, fulfilling lives.

Key Milestones of Manovikas Kendra

1974

Manovikas Kendra at Abhinav Bharati School, Kolkata

1982

Grant received from Government of India

1984

Service for Hearing-impaired children introduced

1985

Manovikas Kendra, Purulia started

1986

Manovikas Kendra, Dhankhet started

1990

Registered as a Society under WB Societies Registration Act, 1961

1991

Acquired land for Manovikas Kendra

1993

Foundation stone laid by Shri Jyoti Basu, Chief Minister, West Bengal

First issue of journal ‘Manovikas’ is released

1995

Manovikas Kendra starts in New Alipore (Building donated by Namita Gupta)

1997

Manovikas Kendra shifts to Mukundapur, Kolkata

1999

Hon’ble President of India, Shri K R Narayanan inaugurates the premises

Affiliation granted for Secondary Courses (NIOS)

2000

Bio-medical Research Unit inaugurated by Dr Manju Sharma, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt of India

Hydrotherapy unit begins at Manovikas Kendra

Silver Jubilee Celebrations with Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal

Teachers Training Department started with 20 trainees, Diploma in Special Education

2005

B.Ed Spl. Edu (MR)Course starts under the aegis of Jadavpur University

Manovikas Kendra gets Nodal Agency status (National Trust)

2012

Manochetna starts with the aim of serving children with learning difficulty in mainstream schools

2019

First meeting of the
Academic Advisory Committee (AAC) held at MVK

Course organised by SRFTI at Manovikas Kendra

2024

Half a century of serving society:
50 Years of Manovikas Kendra