Our Story
Inspired by an established rehabilitation center in South India, and understanding the need for such a service in Varanasi, a small group of people came together in 1990 to realize their dream: to start an outreach service for children and youngsters with different abilities in Uttar Pradesh. The founder and current executive director, Sangeeta JK, was the spearhead of this group.
In 1994, KIRAN Society was registered under the Societies Registration Act. As the small rooms of the ashram in Nagwa were becoming too cramped and insufficient, planning began for the KIRAN Village. In 1998, the KIRAN Village was born and established in the village of Madhopur, where KIRAN Society found its new home.
KIRAN Foundation, Switzerland was brought to life in the year 2003. Through the Foundation KIRAN has been able to find donors and supporters to provide many of the necessities to run the KIRAN Village and the KIRAN Society successfully in all of its endeavors.
Our Journey So Far
Sangeeta Judith Keller travels to India and dedicates herself to serving leprosy patients as a nun with the "Little Sisters."
Sangeeta Judith Keller founded the KIRAN, which began operations in a small house in Varanasi, and left the order two years later.
To provide ideological and financial support to KIRAN, the KIRAN Friends Circle is founded in Switzerland by Philipp Hautle, a long-time friend of Judith Keller
Founding of the KIRAN Society based in Varanasi. Under the leadership of Sangeeta Judith Keller, KIRAN is recognized as a social institution under the Uttar Pradesh Society Act.
The foundation stone for the new KIRAN Village in Madhopur, 12 km outside the city center of Varanasi, is laid.
Children and employees move into the new KIRAN Village in Madhopur, which is located near the Ganges.
Anniversary celebration in St. Gallen for the 10th anniversary of KIRAN. The Swiss Ambassador to India, Walter B. Gyger, and the President of the KIRAN Society of India are also present.
The KIRAN Foundation is founded.
KIRAN receives the Ramakrishna Jaidayal Harmony Award and is thus recognized as the best NGO in Varanasi.
The Uttar Pradesh government awarded the State Level Award as the best NGO in the field of disabled people in Uttar Pradesh.
Sangeeta Judith Keller is awarded the Dr. JE Brandenberger Prize in Switzerland.
KIRAN receives the award for the best NGO of the year 2007/08 from the «National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation & Multiple Disabilities» (Ministry of social justice & empowerment Government of India).
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Indian independence, Keliswiss, an organisation of Indian citizens living in Switzerland, is awarding a prize of 100,000 Indian rupees to a number of women who have made a significant contribution to Indian development, including Sangeeta Judith Keller.
The Kiran Human Resource Training Unit (HRTC) begins operations to train special education teachers.
20th anniversary of KIRAN Village in the presence of numerous guests, including the Swiss Ambassador Dr. Philippe Welti.
Conversion of the primary school to the integrated English Medium School (8 instead of 5 school years, integration of up to half of the non-disabled, mostly poor children, English as the language of instruction).
Inauguration of the new two-storey resource-friendly residential building Karuna Bhavan (House of Compassion).
Construction and commissioning of the new school building for the upper grades of the English Medium.
Construction of the two-storey home for girls and young women from remote villages who can do an apprenticeship.
Various building renovations
New elections of the Executive Committee; handover of the presidency from Dr. Neetilal Vattakunnel to Sangeeta Judith Keller
Handover of overall operational management from Sangeeta J. Keller to Ahyan Shandilya
Neubau Girls Hostel
Resumption of normal school operations after two years of lockdown with homeschooling
Renovation of the Surioday House in the city center (café and Swiss Bakery)
Legal Standings
Society Registration Certificate
Uttar Pradesh Society registration Act 1860, Section 21
Disability Registration Certificate
1995, Section 52 (Approved under Reg. Regulation 2006)
FCRA
Act 1976, Section 6 (1)
Rehabilitation Council of India
Act 1992 No. 34
Income Tax
Act 1961 Sec. 12 A(A), Sec. 80 (G)(vi)
Orthotics & Prosthetics Society of INDIA
Section 21, 1860 Act