Inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, Bala Mandir was started in 1949 by late Sri. K.Kamaraj and Smt. S. Manjubhashini. It is today a premier Social Welfare Organisation,which has over the years sheltered thousands of orphans, destitute and socio-economicallydeprived children. Bala Mandir is a registered society under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975. With an impeccable track record of a highly ethical and professional approach, Bala Mandir is well-known for working towards holistic all-round development of the children under its care. With this in focus, Bala Mandir has gone beyond child care and rehabilitation and today runs schools (Primary and High Schools) in its campus located in the heart of urban Chennai. Bala Mandir has recently added to its activities a centre for the development of children with special needs as well as a unit for research and outreach projects in early childhood and parenting.