Aakanksha Lions Institute for Learning and Empowerment
Our Journey of Inclusion, Empowerment & Possibilities
About Us
Aakanksha Lions Institute of Learning and Empowerment, a ray of hope, has been working for the rehabilitation of children with intellectual disabilities for the past 30 years.
Our journey as a “not-for-profit” institute began in 1994, when a group of friends from Lions Club, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, decided to be the change and with just 14 children and no building of our own, started a day care centre for the children with intellectual disabilities, under the aegis of, formerly called known as, Lions Club Sewa Samit, now known as Aakanksha Lions Institute of Learning and Empowerment, in Jalvihar Colony, Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
Aakanksha has been brightening the lives of thousands of children with special needs for the past three decades by providing them with the necessary tools and support to thrive and integrate into the mainstream of society.
Aakanksha goes beyond just teaching and develops a conducive ecosystem of empowerment and provide our students with the knowledge, skills and unwavering confidence to overcome life’s hurdles.
Aakanksha, today, provides holistic services ranging from special education, therapeutic interventions and vocational training and provides invaluable support and guidance to the families of these children. We offer comprehensive support to children with intellectual developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, down's syndrome, cerebral palsy and other special needs.
Based in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, we provide state-of-the-art 52,000 square feet facilities, equipped with specialised therapists and modalities, providing early intervention services and vocational training to foster independence and holistic growth.
Vision
Empowering persons with special needs and create an inclusive society with skilled workforce of educators and caregivers
Mission
Broadening of spectrum of services for intellectual disable and deaf-blind persons to create inclusive society ,through high-quality professionals and create meaningful life for themselves and their families
Our Story
2 October 1994
1994: Establishment of first school in Raipur for Intellectually Disabled
1995: First parent to donate school a rickshaw to Aakanksha
1996: First vocational training set up at Aakanksha
1997: Students of Aakanksha to got 75% in PP1 and PP11 examinations
1998: Donation of a school rickshaw to Aakanksha by Union Bank Of India
1999: Aakanksha’s students won gold, silver & bronze medals (total 15 medals) at State Level Special Olympics in Bhopal Aakanksha’s student won the 2nd Runner-Up Award at National Dance Festival, NIMH Secunderabad (AP), by Shri Anupam Kher
2000: Aakanksha was the first to appoint a person with Hearing Impairment as Office Assistant at Aakanksha
2001: Started Diploma in Special Education-Mental Retardation (DSE-MR) Establishment of six outreach centres in Dharsiwa Block to provide Rural Intervention Services. Aakanksha was declared as "State Information Centre" of National Trust for Chhattisgarh
2002: Started six months' "Care Giver Training" under scheme II of National Trust
2003: Allotment of 1.75 acres of land at Avanti Vihar for construction of a new school building for Aakanksha by honourable CM Shri Ajit Jogi started "Respite Care Centre", a residential care facility for special children funded
2004: "Bhumi Pujan" of Aakanksha's new building at Avanti Vihar by Hon'ble Dr. Raman Singh, Aakanksha appointed as "State Nodal Agency Centre" of National Trust. Visit of Chairperson, National Trust Dr. Aloka Guha
2005: Collaboration with Sense International India to serve the Deaf-blind
2006: SNAC work done on various schemes of National trust, New Delhi
2007: Reach India Project by UNDP awarded to Aakanksha
2008: Visit of Chairperson, National Trust, Mrs. Poonam Natarajan, at Respite Care Centre of Aakanksha.
2009: Started new therapeutic wing comprising of Physiotherapy, Speech therapy, Remedial and Multi-sensory stimulation Units
2010: Inauguration of New premises of Aakanksha, Avanti Vihar on 22 November 2010 by Past President of India, Lt. Dr. Abdul Kalam Ji
2011: Aakanksha was visited by First Female IPS Officer, Kiran Bedi, Also the film actor Shri Anupam Kher, visited us Aakanksha collaborated with Paul Hamlyn Foundation, U.K
2012: Aakanksha was visited by Ex. CM Dr. Raman Singh Past Member Secretary of RCI Dr. J.P. Singh also visited us
2014: Got approval and affiliation from Pt. Ravi Shankar Shukl University to start B.Ed. Special Education (M.R.) Aakanksha was visit by the cricketer Mr. Irfan Pathan & VVS Laxman
2015: Started diploma courses in visual impairment, D. Ed. - V.I. Started Occupational Therapy Unit Deaf blindness Regional Centre (DbRc) project was started for East UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha & West Bengal
2016: ANAM PREM an organization conducted a workshop on creative activities, arts and craft, rangoli, dance, drama for the special children Donation of HYDRAULIC bus by Shri. Motilal Jhabbak
2017: Visit by film actress Ms. Chitrakshi Rawat, Director of the Samaj Kalyan Vibagh, Ms. Nandita Saran from National Association for the Blind, Delhi, Mr. R. Prasana, Secretary, Govt. of Chhattisgarh, dept. of Social Welfare
2018: Diploma courses in Autism and Cerebral Palsy, D.Ed-ASD and D.Ed-C.P
2019: Silver jubilee year 1994 to 2019 Visit by Member Secretary, RCI New Delhi Dr. Subodh Kumar International Conference on Developmental Disabilities and Inclusive Strategies on Sustainable Developmental Goals
2020: During COVID 19 we conducted online classes free of cost. We created classroom like environment at home of the students
2021: B. Ed. Students of Aakanksha won 3 medals and received from the hands of honourable Ex. Vice Chancellor, Dr. Keshrilal Verma, of Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur
2022: Special Students of Aakanksha participated in the Rashitriya Divya Kala Shakti Program held in Mumbai
2023: Special Student of Aakanksha participated in National Sabal Award, Miss V. Monika Rao won 2nd prize at the national level
2024: Special Student of Aakanksha participated in Special Olympics at the National Level and won 2 gold medals & 1 silver medal. His name is Ebhanan Sahu, who is a special child on autistic spectrum Later he made India Proud by winning 2 silver & 1 bronze on the International Level by Dr. Mallika Nadda
2025:
2025 and beyond!
Our Team
At Aakanksha Institute of Learning & Empowerment, our team is dedicated to transforming lives through inclusive education and specialised care. Our skilled educators, including special teachers, lecturers, professors and therapists, are committed to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities and deafblindness. With expertise and compassion, they provide high-quality support to help students build meaningful and independent lives.
Guiding our mission is our esteemed Board of Directors, whose visionary leadership drives the expansion of services and the development of a skilled workforce of educators and caregivers. Together, we strive to create an inclusive society where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
Impact Reports
Partners and Supporters
Shri Bajrang Agrawal
Shri Bajrang Lal Agrawal is a distinguished industrialist and philanthropist with nearly four decades of experience in the iron and steel industry. He is the Chairman and Managing Director of Godawari Power & Ispat Limited (GPIL), a flagship company of the Raipur based Hira Group of Industries, which he founded in 1999.
Beyond his industrial endeavours, Shri Bajrang Agrawal has been actively involved in philanthropic activities, focusing on empowerment through education and technology.
On behalf of Aakanksha Institute of Learning and Empowerment, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous support and commitment to our mission. Your contributions have significantly enhanced our ability to provide quality education and services to individuals with special needs. We deeply appreciate your dedication to fostering inclusive growth and empowerment in our community.
Thank you for being a pillar of support in our journey.
A Tribute to Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
We at Aakanksha Institute of Learning & Empowerment hold deep gratitude and immense respect for Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India, whose visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to education and empowerment continue to inspire us.
It was an unforgettable honour to have Dr. Kalam visit and inaugurate our new premises at Avanti Vihar on 22nd November 2010. His presence and words of encouragement reinforced our commitment to creating an inclusive world for individuals with special needs. His legacy of knowledge, humility and service remains a guiding light for our institution.
We cherish his blessings and strive to uphold the values he stood for — dreaming big, working with integrity and serving humanity.
With heartfelt respect.
Gratitude to Samaj Kalyan Vibhag, Chhattisgarh
Aakanksha Institute of Learning & Empowerment expresses its sincere gratitude to Samaj Kalyan Vibhag, Chhattisgarh, for their continued support and generous grants. Their commitment to social welfare and empowerment has played a crucial role in strengthening our initiatives for individuals with special needs.
With their support, we have been able to expand our reach, enhance our programs and provide essential services to those in need. We deeply appreciate this collaboration and remain dedicated to our shared vision of building an inclusive and empowered society.Thank you for being a pillar of support in our journey.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We at Aakanksha Institute of Learning & Empowerment extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Kiran Bedi, India's first female IPS officer and Former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry and Shri Anupam Kher, renowned film actor, for honouring us with their presence. Their visit was a source of immense inspiration, reinforcing our commitment to empowerment and inclusivity.
We also express our sincere appreciation to the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, U.K., for their invaluable collaboration and support in advancing our mission. Their partnership has helped us create meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with special needs.
Thank you for being a part of our journey towards a more inclusive and empowered society!
Become a Volunteer
Join us to make a difference
Join us to create a better life for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Make a positive impact. We can't do it without you!
We are looking for individuals to join us as Volunteers for our programs. Your help can make a big difference to help those in need. Whether you have a few hours to spare or can commit long-term, we welcome your support.
Career and Internship
Be the change
If you have the passion and the skills then join us to make a real difference in the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Explore career opportunities within Aakanksha to build a brighter future and make an impact that truly matters or apply for an internship that offers invaluable experience and opportunities for meaningful endeavours.
