Mitraniketan Viswanathan Biography 
Mitraniketan Viswanathan was a social reformer, philanthropist and environmentalist from Vellanad, Thiruvananthapuram, who lived during the period 8 February 1928 - 28 April 2014. For his efforts he was honoured with Padma Shri by government of India in 2009. K. P. Goenka Award for Environment, Platinum Jubilee Endowment Trust Award, Jamnalal Bajaj Award, Rabindra Puraskar and Henry Dunant Red Cross Award are other major honours received by him. Viswanathan was inspired by Tagore and Gandhi, but also by westerners like Pestalozzi and Grundtvig.
Mitraniketan Viswanathan hailed from Vellanad, Thiruvananthapuram. He was born on 8 February 1928. After his schooling from hometown, he moved to West Bengal and enrolled at Visva-Bharati University, where he completed Siksha Bhavana in 1953. For advanced studies he moved to US, UK and Scandinavia. He came into contact with Arthur E. Morgan, and he was a major influence throughout his life.
After studies he moved to India and founded Mitraniketan, The Home of Friends, in 1955 which focussed on community development, environment and a few more advanced subjects like science and education. Now the organization is wide spread to 60 acres, which includes numerous institutions and programs like a training centre for women, pottery centre etc. It also includes educational institutions like Mitraniketan People's College and many more. He chaired many organizations and conferences and acted as a mentor and advisor too.
For his efforts he was recognized with Padma Shri by government of India in 2009. Many organizations have bestowed upon him various titles, apart from honours. He has given immense contributions towards the field of community development. In 1991 he was honoured with Ratindra Puraskar by Visva-Bharati University for contributions to rural development through the application of Science. Chellayyan Nadar Award for Excellence in Social Work in 1996, M. K. K. Nair Award for Excellence in Social Work in 1997, Henry Dunant Red Cross Award, Sahodaran Sevaretna Puraskar etc are a few more honours.
Published: November 23, 2018
Updated: November 23, 2018
