About Us

Manasa Centre for Development and Social Action (commonly known as Manasa) is a grassroots nonprofit organization headquartered in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Established in 1995 by the late visionary Shri Mathews Philip, Manasa has evolved over the past three decades into a dynamic and deeply rooted civil society organization.

Manasa Centre for Development and Social Action is committed to building a just, inclusive, and equitable society. Guided by the principles of dignity, empowerment, and participatory development, Manasa has spent over three decades empowering women, children, and marginalized communities across Karnataka and neighboring states.

Today, Manasa operates in 10 districts of Karnataka, focusing on preventive, promotive, and rights-restorative interventions. Through community engagement, advocacy, education, and monitoring, Manasa has enabled thousands to claim their rights and lead lives of dignity.

Our Team

Founder

Late Shri. Mathews Philip

He played an active role as the General Secretary of People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) in Karnataka from 1993 to 1996, and founded SICHREM in 1995, along with other civil rights activists.

Mathews Philip (Late) was a committed human rights defender with over three decades of experience as a trainer, educator, and activist. After earning his Master’s degree in Social Work from Loyola College, Trivandrum, he worked with several non-governmental organizations, where he found his calling in promoting justice and protecting human rights.

He served as the General Secretary of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Karnataka, from 1993 to 1996 and founded Manasa Centre for Development and Social Action in 1995 with fellow activists. Under his leadership, Manasa grew into a dynamic organization engaged in constitutional rights education across 400+ schools, providing legal aid, monitoring human rights violations, and leading advocacy campaigns.

Mathews also played a pivotal role in launching the Karnataka Chapter of the Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL), where he later served as National Convener. Over the years, he held key positions including Director of Childline Kolar, General Secretary of Transparency International–Karnataka, and member of the NGO Core Team of the National Human Rights Commission.

Mathews Philip lived with purpose, led with compassion, and stood unwaveringly for justice and dignity. Though he is no longer with us, his vision continues to inspire our mission, and his legacy lives on in every act of justice and in every voice raised for human rights.

Executive Director & Secretary

Mariam Mathews

Founder of Prometheus Centre for Human Resource Management, she has recruited thousands, trained over 7,500 professionals, and continues to blend HR, legal, and counseling expertise to drive leadership, resilience, and empowerment.

Mariam Mathew brings over four decades of expertise in Human Resource Management, Learning & Development, Industrial Relations, and Counseling. She is the Founder & CEO of Prometheus Centre for Human Resource Management (est. 2003) and currently serves as Executive Director and Board Member of Manasa Centre for Development and Social Action.

She holds a Master’s in Social Work (HR & IR), a Bachelor’s in Science, a Bachelor’s in Law, and certifications in psychometrics, NLP , and facilitation. Her professional journey includes senior leadership roles at Lundbeck India, Otis Elevator Co., Electrohms Group, and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. She has recruited over 5,000 employees, trained 7,500 professionals, and designed systems for leadership development, performance management, POSH compliance, and industrial relations.

Beyond HR, Mariam has served as a consultant, legal advisor, and ICC (POSH) member for organizations across India. With more than 20 years of experience supporting survivors of domestic violence and individuals in transition, she combines her HR expertise with counseling and coaching to foster resilience and empowerment. In her personal time, Mariam enjoys singing and has a keen interest in gardening, painting, and other creative pursuits.