Manjula Kalyan, the founder of Swayamkrushi, being felicitated at an event in Hyderabad.
Swayamkrushi, a Hyderabad-based non-profit organisation working for persons with intellectual disabilities, is celebrating 35 years of service with a focus on education, vocational training and independent living to help individuals lead self-reliant lives.Speaking at an event organised on the occasion of the anniversary, Manjula Kalyan, the founder of the organisation, said Swayamkrushi runs a school and hostel for women with intellectual disabilities aged above 18. The organisation also offers a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programme in Special Education and is planning to introduce a Master’s programme in the discipline.She said several graduates of the B.Ed. programme had secured employment overseas and added that Swayamkrushi has been operating from its five-acre campus at Chennapur in Jawahar Nagar on the outskirts of Hyderabad since 2016.Highlighting the achievements of its students, Ms. Kalyan said they became the first group of persons with intellectual disabilities in the country to participate in an NCC annual training camp. Several students have also walked the ramp alongside professional models at a fashion show, she added. Students trained by the organisation have also excelled in sports, winning four gold and one silver medal at the National Olympics for Special Children.Ms. Kalyan said 10 women with intellectual disabilities trained by Swayamkrushi are currently employed at supermarket outlets. Published - August 01, 2026 07:37 pm IST
