Mithu Alur Biography 
Mithu Alur is a social activist, educator and writer, best known for her social services towards people with Neuro-Muscular and Developmental Disabilities. She is the founder chairperson of The Spastic Society of India - now known as ADAPT - Able Disable All People Together. She realized the need of caring and educating such people after her daughter Malini Chib was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and the care of people with conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome and mental retardation was non-existing in India in the 1970s. For her contributions towards social service, she was honoured with fourth highest civilian Padma Shri by government of India in 1989. Her daughter Malini Chib is a well-known disability rights activist and author now.
Mithu Alur was born and raised in Kolkata. She was born in Kolkata on 27 March 1943. She spent her younger days in her hometown, and for her higher education she moved to Delhi. In 1965, she married Ranjit Chib and one year later their daughter Malini Chib was born, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Back in the 1960s, there was no proper school for children with disabilities in India. Hence she trained in Institute of Education, England and started the Spastics Society of India (SSI) in 1972. She got support from then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to open the school and actress Nargis Dutt became the first patron.
Then she opened a special school in India for children with cerebral palsy, "Centre for Special education" at Colaba on 2 October 1973, first one of this kind in India, which provided education and treatment facilities for children suffering from Neuro-Muscular and Developmental Disabilities. It began with just three children including her daughter, and Nargis was associated with its activities till her death. Later she was supported by her husband. She also conducted research works and published papers, related to this subject.
Published: March 01, 2019
Updated: March 01, 2019
