The Founders

Born on September 18, 1913 in Colombo, Late Smt. Avabai B. Wadia spearheaded the family planning movement in 1949. She had a broader vision of family planning which included individual health, freedom, wholeness, family betterment and most importantly a qualitative view of life. She worked towards two highly sensitive issues of safe abortion and sexuality education.

Recipient of several national and international awards, she was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour, in 1981. She also won the WHO population award on behalf of IPPF in 1985 as well as the 3rd one prize and WHO medal as the president of FPAI. Her work in family welfare won her the Global Media Award in 1993. Post 1997, she devoted her time to compiling her memories in the form of a book “The Life is Art”.

About the Organisation

FPA India is a non-profit making, non-political, and non-sectarian organization working without any discrimination as to religion, creed, race, gender, ethnic origin, disability, age and people living with HIV. Established in 1949, FPA India has been recognised as India's leading and largest reproductive and sexual health organization.

FPA India has worked towards enriching the lives of millions of people across India over the past 50 years. Its presence in 38 cities, 40 towns and 10,408 villages reflects its commitment to protect these rights. FPA is the founder member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), which is currently represented in over 180 countries.

FPA India envisions health, particularly sexual and reproductive health for all, especially marginalized and young people, in the broad context of sustainable development leading towards the alleviation of poverty, stabilization of population, gender equality, and human rights.

Current Programmes at Family Planning Association of India

HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme
Prevention of unsafe abortion and sex selective abortions.
SALIN + (Youth Project)
Research, programmes and advocacy of adolescents and youth, married couples and work with health service providers.
Computer skills
Provide technical assistance to different stakeholders in sexual & reproductive health programmes.
Target Intervention (HIV/AIDS Project)
Work with high-risk behaviour groups for AIDS control programme.
Clinical services
Diagnosis and treatment of reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted infection and other reproductive health care for men and women.

Other Programmes:
• JIGYASA Youth Centre
• Panchsheel Skills Development Centre
• Youth HIV Projects
• Twin E-learning Project for urban Youth

Stories of Hope
Mansha Ram Gadge is a migrant from Khandwa district in Madhya Pradesh, presently living in the slums of Bhopal. His father Lalchand Gadge worked as a farmer and could not afford to pay the fee for computer course that Mansha wanted to pursue. After passing the class 12th exams, he wanted to prepare4 for entrance exams of ITI in Diesel Mechanics. He joined the first batch of Smile Twin E-Learning Programme (STeP) at FPA lndia, RTC, Bhopal in March 2009. He is presently working with Global Para city as Supervisor and earns Rs. 5000 and looks forward to a better career opportunity related with computers.

Amir Khan belongs to a poor Muslim family from Bhopal. He is appearing for 1st year, B.Com examination from Barkatullah University, Bhopal. Amir joined the first batch of Smile Twin E- Learning at FPA lndia, RTC, Bhopal on April 2009. Being an intelligent student, he scored 73% marks and is presently working in a Thrasher as Manager and earns Rs. 5000 as salary.

Umesh Kumar Sanodiya from Bhopal is studying in MSW (Final Year) and is very good in academics. Umesh joined the STeP course and joined JIGYASA, Bhopal and draws a salary Rs.5000. His father works as a farmer and earns Rs. 2000 per month. Umesh‘s elder brother also works as a farmer with his father. His younger brother is studying.

Satish Kumar Soni is presently studying MSW course at Bhopal. He joined the first batch of Smile Twin E- Learning course at FPA lndia, RTC, Bhopal in March 2009. With his intelligence and efforts, he passed the exam with 77% marks. He works in a TI Project with an NGO at Hoshangabad as a computer operator and earns Rs. 5000. His father works as a Serviceman at Hoshangabad.

Rangeeta Kanade belongs to a poor family and lives in slums of Bhopal. She is studying in class 12th and is very intelligent in studies. Her father, works as a labourer with a daily wage of Rs. 150 while her mother is a domestic help and gets Rs. 200 per month. Her parents encouraged her to take up the STeP course for her bright future.

Mansha Ram Gadge is a migrant from Khandwa district in Madhya Pradesh, presently living in the slums of Bhopal. His father Lalchand Gadge worked as a farmer and could not afford to pay the fee for computer course that Mansha wanted to pursue. After passing the class 12th exams, he wanted to prepare for entrance exams of ITI in Diesel Mechanics. He joined the first batch of Smile Twin E-Learning Programme (STeP) at FPA lndia, RTC, Bhopal in March 2009. He is presently working with Global Para City as Supervisor and earns Rs. 5000 and looks forward to a better career opportunity related with computers.