It was the year 1942. A young mother of four was imprisoned during the Quit India movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. In 1930, she had also participated in the burning of foreign goods in Madras along with Durgabai Deshmukh, in the Salt Satyagraha organised by Rajaji at Vedaranyam. The salt march was on the same lines as Mahatma Gandhi's.
Manjubhashini, better known as the founder of Bala Mandir, was born on September 24, 1906. Belonging to a conservative family, she was married off at the tender age of 12 to Subramanian who later became a judge of Madras High Court. Encouraged by her husband, she went on to complete her SSLC.
After coming out of prison in 1943, Manjubhashini felt the need for setting up a home for destitute children. With the encouragement of Kamaraj and help from media baron Ramnath Goenka, Bala Mandir was registered in 1949 with just two children. An initial donation of Rs.10,000/- formed the nucleus....
