Mitraniketan Viswanathan

Mitraniketan K. Viswanathan (8 February 1928 – 28 April 2014) was an Indian social reformer, philanthropist, and environmentalist in Kerala, India. He founded Mitraniketan, a non governmental organization in Vellanadu, Thiruvananthapuram, in 1956.

Biography Viswanathan was born on 8 February 1928 in Vellanad, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala, India. He completed his schooling in Thiruvananthapuram and went on to join Visva-Bharati University, founded by Rabindranath Tagore, where he completed his Siksha Bhavana degree in 1953. He further pursued his studies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia. It was during his time in the US that he came into contact with Arthur E. Morgan, whose influence played a significant role in shaping Viswanathan's later years.

On his return to India, he founded Mitraniketan, The Home of Friends, in 1955. The organization focuses on innovation, training, and extension in the fields of community development, environment, science, education, and appropriate technology. Over time, the organization has expanded to encompass 60 acres of land, which includes Mitraniketan People's College, a Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), a training centre for women, a fully equipped bakery, a pottery centre, and a technology transfer programme.

He was the patron of Kerala Voluntary Action League (KAVAL), a network of non-governmental organizations. Furthermore, he chaired various organizations, attended conferences in India and abroad

Viswanathan died on 28 April 2014, succumbing to heart-related problems at a private clinic in Thiruvananthapuram. Sevanaratnam Award – 2002 Best Krishi Vigyan Kendra Award - 1998-99 Arch Bishop Mar Gregorious Memorial Award - 1997 M. K. K. Nair Award for Excellence in Social Work - 1997 Chellayyan Nadar Award for Excellence in Social Work - 1996 TRASS Award by Trivandrum Social Service Society for Excellence in Social Work - 1994 Jamnalal Bajaj Award for application of Science and Technology in rural areas - 1992 Ratindra Puraskar by Visva-Bharati University for contributions to rural development through the application of Science- 1991 K. P. Goenka Award for Environment by Asian Cables Foundation - 1987 Platinum Jubilee Endowment Trust Award by Indian Merchants' Chamber - 1986 Sahodaran Sevaretna Puraskar Henry Dunant Red Cross Award