Pratibodh Foundation
Empowering Potential · Sustaining Progress · Transforming Lives
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Pratibodh Foundation is a ‘not-for-profit’ company registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013.
The objective of the foundation is finding avenues and resources for students from the disadvantaged, marginalized and discriminated communities . The foundation works in the intersection of education, digital skills, and disability inclusion serving communities that face compounding disadvntages of poverty, discrimination, and limited opportunity.
The foundation consistently treats capability-building — rather than financial transfer — as the mechanism of change.
Pratibodh Foundation operates on a principle of targeted depth over superficial breadth. Rather than serving large numbers with minimal engagement, the Foundation invests significantly in each student or community it supports — providing financial aid, mentoring, skills training, and ongoing hand-holding through their educational or employment journey.
This approach is anchored in three strategic pillars:
• Scholarship and financial support — ensuring economic barriers do not determine educational outcomes
• Skills development — building employable, digital, and communication competencies
• Advocacy and inclusion — promoting non-discriminatory, equal-opportunity education and Skill Training
IMPACT AT A GLANCE
IMPACT AT A GLANCE
Visually Impaired Students Trained: 200 students across 17 batches trained on Digital Skills, English Communication, and Life Skills
School and College Support: 15+ school and college students supported through completion
Research Prizes Awarded: 6 PhD researchers recognised at IISc Bengaluru (₹1L each)
Digital Literacy Centres: 2 computer centres established via partner organisations
Community Events for Visually Impaired: Chess tournament (Dec 2025), Mobile Van Campaign (Feb 2026), Employment Workshop (Mar 2026), Cognizant Technology Solutions Outreach Event (Mar 2026)
Media Recognition: Featured on Sun News (Tamil), July 2025
Institutional Collaboration: IISc, EnAble India, Bharathiar University – Department of Social Work, Magizhvi Foundation, Tamilnadu Braille Chess Association (TNBCA), (TNBCA), Cognizant Outreach, TactoVision.
News and Events
Outreach Event at Cognizant, Coimbatore
March 20, 2026
An outreach event was organized by Cognizant Technology Solutions, Coimbatore, through its Outreach Department on March 20, 2026. The event focused on the creation of tactile designs and gave an opportunity for volunteers to interact with organizational leaders.
On behalf of the Pratibodh Foundation, four visually impaired students—Sriram, Kowshikraam, Lalit Kamlesh, and Hindu Priya—along with Project Manager Mr. R. Jaganathan, were invited to take part in the event.
Mr. Santhoshkumar Nagarajan (Senior Executive) and Mr. H. Darwin Moses (Executive, Head of Outreach, Coimbatore, Cognizant) led the program, helped by volunteers from the Outreach team. Mrs. Malathi from Vision Empowerment also took part and conducted a session on tactile creation.
2 Day Workshop on Employment and Technology-Based Skill Development for Visually Impaired Students
March 12-13, 2026
Government Arts College (Autonomous), Coimbatore
Pratibodh Foundation along with Association for the Rights of the Visually Challenged (ARVIC), Ekam Dharma Foundation & TGS Trust, and sponsored by Flex India, organized a 2-day workshop on employment and Technology-based Skill Development for visually impaired at the Government Arts College, Coimbatore on March 12 and 13, 2026. 38 visually impaired students from various colleges in Coimbatore district attended the workshop. Ms. Latha Mani, Founder & MD, Pratibodh Foundation besides delivering a special address at the inauguration also conducted a training sessions on Psychological Awareness & Life Skills and Digital Literacy and Awareness.
Mobile Van Awareness Campaign for the Visually Impaired
February 18-21, 2026
Pratibodh Foundation in association with EnAble India organized a Mobile Van Awareness Campaign for persons with visual impairments in Coimbatore from 18th February to 21st February 2026 to reach out to persons with visual impairments, particularly those in rural and remote areas with limited access to information and rehabilitation services.
Key Objectives:
Awareness Creation
To educate persons with visual impairments and their families about assistive devices, education opportunities, skill development, and employment possibilities.
Reaching Unserved Populations
To identify visually impaired individuals in rural areas who have limited access to support services and resources.
Engaging with Families and Communities
To encourage families and communities to recognize the abilities of persons with visual impairments and support their independence.
Demonstrating Assistive Technologies
To showcase technologies and tools that help visually impaired individuals perform educational, workplace, and daily living activities independently.
Home Visits for Personalized Support
To understand individual challenges through home visits and provide tailored guidance and solutions.
State Level Chess Tournament 2025 for the Visually Impaired
December 13, 2025
Pratibodh Foundation in association with the Department of Social Work, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu Braille Chess Association and Magizhi Foundation Coimbatore successfully organized a 'State Level Chess Tournament 2025' for the Visually Impaired at the Department of Social Work, Bharathiar University on December 13, 2025. Twenty cash prizes and trophies were awarded to the winners. Forty participants received a braille embossed certificate. The prize distribution ceremony was presided by Dr. R. Rajavel, Registrar, Bharathiar University.
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Mr. Harharan Gandhi received the first prize of Rs. 2,500 along with a trophy and a certificate.
Sun News - July 25, 2025
Transgender Woman who made her dream come true and gave hope
Click on right arrow for full English transcript
[00:00:02] Sun News Anchor
An event where a fellow transgender person and social activists together helped a transgender person, who had dropped out of college to complete the education and obtain employment at a multinational company has created an exceptional incident in Coimbatore. You can see a segment about this.
[00:00:16] News Reporter Mohan
Transgender people who face many problems in society have to fight for many things, such as education, employment, legal entitlement and social recognition. Under these circumstances, Sajana, who is a native of Pudukkottai district, was admitted to ECE degree in a private engineering college in Coimbatore in 2017. Before starting her third year of studies, Sajana, fully realizing and experiencing her gender identity and sexuality, transitioned by undergoing the gender-affirming surgery to transgender person. Privileges she enjoyed as a male student including education scholarships and other facilities were stopped after Sajana’s transition to transgender person. Thus, Sajana, who had no other financial means, was unable to pursue the engineering studies. Shunned by the society and marginalised, she came under the care of a car and auto driver, Anushya, who is herself a transgender person. Realizing, Sajana was extremely interested in continuing her studies, Anushya gave money to Sajana from the earnings as a driver.
[00:01:24] Sajana
After I completely transitioned to transgender person during 2018-2020, I wanted to study. I got into a frenzy to anyhow complete my college education from which I had dropped out and get my undergraduate degree and start my career and I went back to college. College also supported and accepted me fully. However, I had no money to pay the fees and as I was thinking what to do, Transmom Foundation, whose founder is Anushya, came to my help.
[00:01:59] News Reporter Mohan
But the amount earned by Anushya was not enough. It was then, the couple, Mani and Latha, with whom Anushya had worked as a car driver, came forward through their Pratibodh Foundation to fulfil Sajana’s dream of completing her college education.
[00:02:16] Sajana
Full and full, that Pratibodh Foundation, Swaminathan Mani, Latha Mani, both of them, they are spouses. they supported me fully and completely. Only because of them I could finish my degree.
[00:02:29] News Reporter Mohan
Social activists couple Mani and Latha, besides helping transgender Sajana complete her education, also provided training and work experience in their software Company in Hyderabad as an IT engineer. Having worked there for a year, Sajana is currently working as an IT Engineer with L&T (LTIMindtree) a well-known multinational Company in Coimbatore.
[00:02:53] Anushya
Transgender persons after studying complain they are not getting jobs and limit themselves. That should not be the case. Go and seek a suitable job opportunity based on your studies to three – four companies. Only through your trying and struggle you will get everything. Sajana is an example for this, and we are so proud of her at this time.
[00:03:11] Latha
We did not do much. After doing so little if we can get so much result, if all of us help how much more can we get, how many more can progress. Sajana is an inspiring story.
[00:03:28] Mani
It makes us happy that a little help is the cause of great progress. This kind of progress provides progress in life, generational progress for them, could be the catalyst for progress of the entire community.
[00:03:42] News Reporter Mohan
True to the proverb ‘Oor Koodi Ther Izhu’ – emphasizing the strength that comes from collective community action - with the help from transwoman Anushya who has little formal education and social activist couple Latha and Mani, transwoman Sajana by realizing her dreams has inspired confidence and hope in the entire transgender community.
For Sun News, Coimbatore reporter Mohan
July 25, 2025
Pratibodh Foundation Completes Five Years on August 4, 2025
We are five years old. It has been a rewarding journey for the founders with the opportunity to impact significantly on the lives of the students the foundation has helped. It is gratifying to know how the small help of the foundation is transforming their lives in a big way. Our commitment to continue on this path is strengthened. It motivates us to look for collaboration and outside support to expand the programs and widen the scope while keeping the focus on the target groups being served presently.
The Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru through our endowment has so far awarded annual prizes to six young research scientists in the department of Biochemistry for their outstanding short research proposals. The foundation has provided financial/material assistance to two organization to set up two computer centers to provide digital literacy to needy students. Free English communication training has been provided to a dozen students. About 15 students, both college and school, have been provided financial support and mentoring to pursue and complete their education.
The flagship on-line training program for the visually impaired has benefitted over 150 students.
The sincere and heartfelt testimonials from the people helped by the foundation reflect the true success of our efforts.
Training for Visually Impaired
Pratibodh Foundation is conducting free on-line training program for the visually impaired from October 2023. Five-months programs are conducted twice every year (February to June and August to December). The program covers computer and digital skills, English communication and literacy and work readiness skills. Students with total and partial visual impairment benefit by attending this program. The basic purpose of the on-line program is to prepare the student, irrespective of their educational background, for work readiness and employment.
Pratibodh Foundation, through an endowment to Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India, has instituted an annual award with a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000 for excellence in academic research for PhD students of the department of Biochemistry, in memory of Dr. T. R. Bhaskaran, a distinguished alum of the department.
Indian Institute of Science Appreciation Letter to Pratibodh Foundation
Indian Institute of Science Founder's Day Appreciation Letter
Ms. Priyanshi received the award for 2025
Leadership
Leadership
Latha Mani and Swaminathan Mani, founded Pratibodh Foundation in August 2020. They together have long and diverse experience working in social and development sectors, industry, and technology.
Mentors and Coaches
Mentors and Coaches
Pratibodh Foundation is privileged to be associated with a panel of mentors and coaches who guide and assist in its various activities of helping students supported by the foundation.
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