We invest deeply in students from visually impaired, transgender, and marginalized communities — providing not just financial aid, but mentoring, skills training, and sustained support until they reach economic independence.
Section 8 Not-for-Profit Company · Companies Act 2013· Coimbatore· Established 2020
A STORY THAT EXPLAINS EVERYTHING
Sajana enrolled in an engineering degree in Coimbatore in 2017. When she transitioned as a transgender person, her scholarship was cancelled. With no financial support, she dropped out.
Anushya — a transwoman who drives cars and autos for a living — started funding Sajana's fees from her own earnings. When that wasn't enough, Latha and Mani of Pratibodh Foundation stepped in: covering her remaining fees, then providing IT training and work experience.
Today, Sajana works as an IT Engineer at LTIMindtree, Coimbatore.
"Only because of them I could finish my degree."
— Sajana · Sun News, July 2025
2017 Sajana enrolls in an ECE engineering degree at a private college in Coimbatore.
2018 She transitions. Scholarship cancelled. Forced to drop out before her third year.
2019 Anushya, a transwoman auto driver, begins funding Sajana's fees from her own earnings.
2020 Pratibodh Foundation joins — covers remaining fees, provides IT training and work experience.
2025 Sajana completes her degree and joins LTIMindtree, Coimbatore as an IT Engineer.
What we do
01
Flagship Program
5-month programs run twice a year — computer and digital skills, English communication, and work readiness. Open to students with total and partial visual impairment, regardless of educational background. 200 students trained across 17 batches since October 2023.
02
Direct Support
Financial aid, mentoring, and hand-holding through college completion — for students from transgender, Dalit, and other discriminated communities who face compounding barriers of poverty and social exclusion. 15+ students supported through completion.
03
Research Excellence
Through an endowment to the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Pratibodh awards an annual prize of ₹1,00,000 to outstanding PhD researchers in Biochemistry — in memory of Dr. T.R. Bhaskaran, a distinguished alum of the department.
5+ years of focused work
Visually impaired students trained in digital skills, English and life skills 200 students, 17 batches
School and college students supported through completion 15+
PhD researchers recognised at IISc Bengaluru 6 prizes · ₹1L each
Digital literacy centres established via partner organisations 2 centres
Community events for the visually impaired (2025–26) 4 events
Institutional partners and collaborators 8 organisations
Media recognition Sun News, July 2025
5+
Years of sustained,
high-depth impact.
Founded in August 2020 by Latha Mani and Swaminathan Mani, Pratibodh operates on a principle of targeted depth over superficial breadth — investing significantly in each student rather than serving large numbers with minimal engagement.
Every student receives financial aid, mentoring, skills training, and ongoing support through their educational or employment journey.
Pratibodh does not measure success in reach alone — it measures it in completions, in employment, and in the next generation of change.
Recent activity
March 20, 2026
Four visually impaired students from Pratibodh Foundation joined Cognizant's Coimbatore team for a tactile design workshop — one of a growing series of corporate partnerships that bring the Foundation's students into professional settings.
March 12–13, 2026
Pratibodh, together with ARVIC, Ekam Dharma Foundation, TGS Trust, and sponsored by Flex India, brought 38 visually impaired college students to Government Arts College, Coimbatore for focused employment and digital skills training.
February 18–21, 2026
In partnership with EnAble India, Pratibodh reached visually impaired persons in rural Coimbatore — many with no prior access to assistive technology, rehabilitation services, or employment guidance.
December 13, 2025
Organised with Bharathiar University's Department of Social Work and the Tamil Nadu Braille Chess Association, the tournament drew 40 participants and awarded 20 cash prizes. Presided by Dr. R. Rajavel, Registrar, Bharathiar University.
Institutional partners and collaborators
IISc Bengaluru
EnAble India Bengaluru
Bharathiar University Coimbatore
Cognizant Coimbatore
TNBCA
Maghizvi Founation Coimbatore
TactoVision
Pratibodh Foundation has been doing this since 2020, with a small team and a deep commitment to each person we serve. If that matters to you:
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