Our story
Forty years alongside families — the first Parents' Organization of its kind in West Bengal.
Mentaid — The Association for the Development of the Intellectually Disabled — began in 1985 as a small support group in Kolkata. On 5 September 1986 we became the first registered Parents' Organization for persons with intellectual disabilities in West Bengal.
Vision
To empower, secure rights and improve the quality of life of persons with intellectual disabilities (PwIDs).
Mission
Advance the personal development of PwIDs through education, training, leisure and self-advocacy. Promote advocacy for the rights of PwIDs and their families. Encourage full participation and integration in the community.
Approach
Parent-led. Community-rooted. Rights-based. We work patiently, lovingly, and never alone.
A journey, year by year.
Mentaid begins
Founded as a support group offering parent-to-parent counselling, awareness generation, referrals, seminars and a regular newsletter.
Registered as first-of-its-kind
On 5 September, Mentaid became the first Parents' Organization for the intellectually disabled in West Bengal.
Mentaid Concert
Our first public concert — art, music and advocacy on the same stage.
New home takes root
Foundation stone laid by Irene Graper on 5 January — the beginning of the campus that stands today.
State recognition
Government of West Bengal awards Mentaid 'Best Parents' Organization'.
SPANDAN Award
National Trust of India honours Mentaid with the SPANDAN Special Jury Felicitation, New Delhi.
Special Olympics gold
Supriya Saha, a Mentaid student, wins gold in the 800m walk at the Special Olympics World Games, Los Angeles.
National Parents Meet
Received the Dr. Reeta Peshawaria–Menon National Award at Jalandhar.
Best Institution
Recognised by Govt. of W.B. (Dept. of WCD & SW) for outstanding performance in rehabilitation of persons with disability.
From the archive
A quiet history — carried in a few precious photographs.
The first Mentaid centre
Our founding families at 7/B Gulshan Market, Kolkata — the modest premises where Mentaid began its work.
The Mentaid Concert
Our students on stage — art and advocacy woven together, long before it was fashionable.
A new home takes root
The foundation stone of the current campus, laid by Irene Graper on 5 January 2005.
Recognition
Honoured — but the real awards run down the corridor at recess.
Best Institution for Outstanding Performance in Rehabilitation of Persons with Disability
Government of West Bengal, Dept. of WCD & SW · 3 December 2018
Dr. Reeta Peshawaria–Menon, Smt. Premlata Peshawaria National Award
National Parents Meet, Jalandhar · 12 November 2016
SPANDAN Award — Special Jury Felicitation
National Trust of India, New Delhi
Best Parents' Organization
Government of West Bengal · 3 December 2007
How we're organised
A parent-led family — with professionals who care as if these were their own.
The Mentaid Association
A community of parents and committed well-wishers who are the heart of the organisation.
Executive Committee
The apex body — a majority of committed parents, elected by the General Body — jointly takes all important decisions.
Staff & Educators
Qualified, trained special educators and therapists, alongside care, management and administrative staff.
Executive Committee
Chairperson
Iona Louise Kundu
Vice-Chairman
Madhav Prakash Mohta
General Secretary
Kamalika Banerjee
Jt. Secretary
Susmita Nag
Hony. Treasurer
Lata Bhatia
Asst. Treasurer
Arundhati Gupta
Member
Dr. Minoti Biswas
Registrations & compliance
Fully compliant · 80G · FCRA approved
- Societies Registration Act XXVI of 1961 · Regd. No. S/52819
- Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995
- National Trust Act, 1999
- 12A of Income Tax Act, 1961
- 80G — donations are tax-exempt
- Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010