What does tamana mean:

Tamana is a non-profit voluntary association registered in March 1984, created solely with the purpose of helping the cause of developmentally disabled and minimal brain damaged children. Tamana literally means a longing, an aspiration. The association could not have been more aptly named, for at its heart lies an earnest longing, a lifelong aspiration to see such children on their feet as happy, useful, integrated members of the society.

Tamana was born out of the living faith and optimism of Shyama Chona, mother of a handicapped child named Tamana. To begin with, this child was saddled with problems. But slowly, bit by bit, with the help and guidance of her mother, she started to cross the innumerable hurdles that hindered her progress. At times. her progress was nothing short of miraculous. This inspired her mother to extend the same kind of help and guidance to other handicapped children. And thus, the Tamana Association was born.

The organisation, has since its inception, has come a long way in supporting and serving multiply handicapped children. It has now acquired the reputation and goodwill of being a dedicated NGO providing selfless service to the society in its own way. Tamana has now developed matchless expertise in handling special kids and developing them into normal, independent, confident citizens, capable of serving the society and the nation in almost the same way other citizens do.

But the journey was not so easy:

It is not such an easy path to sail through! From 1984-86, Tamana existed unknown and unheard of, though ceaselessly working silently for children with special needs. Tamana pioneered the concept of integrated education well before this became a part of the National policy on education. At this stage, Tamana helped about thirty children with minimal brain damage to get admission in normal schools, successfully playing a dual role. On one hand, it convinced the schools not to strain the special child with the normal academic load, on the other hand, it counselled the parents not to make unrealistic academic demands on their children.

Soon Tamana realised that most of the existing schools did not have teachers for Special Education and were not, therefore, competent to handle these children, particularly when the number of students in a class rose too high. It was at this stage that Tamana decided to set up its own project in a private school.

Tamana has survived extreme hardships, including living through times without the basic amenities of adequate shelter, electricity and water, and today can boast of a completely independent and committed school, in its very own building in Vasant Vihar, inaugurated by Her Royal Highness Princess of Wales, Late Lady Diana, on February 12, 1992. Tamana is recognized by the Ministry of Welfare, Government of India. 

Tamana has a commitment to the society:

The underlying mission of Tamana is to provide a quantum leap for the welfare and rehabilitation of children whose only fault is to have been born without normal facilities.

What sets Tamana apart from other special schools in the country?

It is the sense of purpose and commitment to the cause displayed by the Tamana team. Very few special schools can provide the level of individualized attention meted out to Tamana students. With a minimum of one teacher to five children, the school's individualized curriculum has a real opportunity to succeed.

Tamana Association has aggressively pursued its admittedly ambitious plans. That is why it has many firsts to its credit, such as the concept of integrated education, computer aided speech therapy and a special section for autistic children. Credit for Tamana's achievements goes not only to its team but the students, the supporters of our cause, the authorities, and you; our esteemed patrons.

Let's make Tamana a successful social movement!