Mrs. Manjula Kalyan founded Swayamkrushi in 1991.  Currently serving as the Founder-Director, she completed her Master’s in Special Education from the University of Pittsburgh.  She has previously worked as an educator and trainer at the Okhla Institute and at NIMH.  She has been associated with the Andhra Mahila Sabha (AMS) in Chennai and in Hyderabad.  The AMS Vocational Training Program in Hyderabad was conceived and realized by her is considered benchmark programme in this area.  Mrs. Kalyan is an eminent member of  the Special Education community and has dedicated her life to protecting the rights of and enhancing the lives of those with special challenges.

Swayamkrushi’s service to the community and its innovative approach was rewarded by the presentation of the Dr. Shakuntala Devi Medical & Helath Award in the year 2000.  She was also awarded the National Sadguru Gnanananda Award in the year 2001.