Our Patron — Annie Besant

In 1907 she became president of the Theosophical Society, whose international headquarters were at Adyar, Madras, (Chennai).

She also became involved in politics in India, joining the Indian National Congress. When World War I broke out in 1914, she helped launch the Home Rule League to campaign for democracy in India and dominion status within the Empire. This led to her election as president of the Indian National Congress in late 1917.

After the war, she continued to campaign for Indian independence and for the causes of theosophy, until her death in 1933.

Besant institutions in Mangalore were founded under the auspices of Theosophical Society during her visit to Mangalore in 1918.

Women’s National Education Society (WNES) was formed in 1943 to take over management of the rapidly growing institutions from Theosophical Society and enable them to grow as an independent organisation.