Manthan Educational Programme Society (India)

About Manthan: 

Manthan educational programme society is a not for profit organization focused to ameliorate and instill fresh methods in science communication and entrepreneurship development amongst students and communities at large. Manthan albeit being based in Gujarat has a repertoire of activities carried out across India. The organisation has a support of national and international members who have been involved in society oriented work since past two decades. Manthan strives to apply innovatively planned and designed strategies in its projects with professional trainings and hands on outreach material. The core strength of the organisation is the team of professional who closely examine, plan and implement the projects based on the need of the community and the project area.  

In the recent years Manthan has established a Community Science Centre at Narmada District of Gujarat State and further is in the process of establishing a Training Centre for the rural and tribal communities. Manthan aspires to use its expertise towards the benefit of the underprivileged individuals and communities of the Country and progressively of the World with a spirit to spread the message of Science Awareness.

 

History: 

Manthan was established by Late Mr. Ramesh Kothari one of the pioneers to inculcate the idea of Science Communication in the country. This organisation was setup with an aim to eradicate the qualms of Science from the minds of the young ones and the members of the community by explaining the scientific concepts in a play way manner aided by hands on activities and proper trainings.  

Manthan means: “To Churn“ 

Manthan was set up with the vision to churn up ideas and thoughts in the minds of the members within the organisation and make them simple enough to disseminate to common people. With the passage of time Manthan has expanded its array of initiatives in other domains like Science Awareness, Science Outreach Material, Science Trainings, Teachers’ Training, Science Exhibits, etc. Manthan also has profound experience in capacity building and training rural and tribal communities for enterprise development with the help of S&T intervention.  

Over the years Manthan has been influencing several lives through its dedicated initiatives. The services and material developed by Manthan has been used and replicated beyond Gujarat at national as well as international levels in different languages. Several projects developed and carried out by Manthan have been very closely shouldered by Departments of Government of India, Departments of Government of Gujarat or International organisations like World Bank, UNICEF, UNESCO, CARE, etc. and widely appreciated by the community.  

Contribution to Society: 

• Pioneers in developing the idea of Science Awareness amongst people through Folk Mediums like Puppet and Exhibits on Camel Carts.

• Educating students with the help of interactive Science Toys

• Introducing original concept of Science Playground in the Country

• Activity kits on Methods of Science which reached 150 thousand members and benefited 1 million members across the country with the support of NCSTC, DST, Govt. of India. 
  
• Outreach material developed for world’s longest radio serial, simultaneously broadcasted in 18 Indian regional languages with the support of NCSTC, DST, Govt. of India. This Serial was broadcasted in the entire country and 150 thousand received the outreach material.  
• Designed and developed Agrassar Exhibition which showcased Indian S&T for the celebration of 50 years of Independence.

• Developed Activity Kits on Subjects like: Solar Eclipse, Earthquake, Modern Physics, Biodiversity, Understanding Miracles, Adolescence, Health, Astronomy, Energy, Space, etc.  
  
• Developed Special Safe Solar Viewers to view Solar Eclipse and Transit of Venus

• Innovative multi sensorial science based exhibits were developed for pre school corners (Anganwadis).

• Training and guiding rural people to lead towards Micro Entrepreneurship in Earthquake affected areas of Kutch and also in Bharuch.

• Giving Skill development and Entrepreneurship Development trainings in rural and tribal areas.

• Drudgery reduction manual and adolescence kit were specially developed for women.

• Established Community Science Centre in Narmada District.