In 1995, armed with a High Court order, the State Government undertook a massive anti-encroachment drive. Poor vendors were the ‘soft target’ and the administration focused on their eviction without taking any steps to rehabilitate them. They suffered more because of their unorganized nature. This senseless step evinced interest in those who were, then, part of Adithi. It was decided to galvanize this unorganized section and offer them formidable clout to raise their voice against state’s indifference and hostile stance.

 Around the same time Ela Bhatt of SEWA was trying to galvanize the civil society institutions to include issues of unorganized street vendors. She shared her concern with Viji Srinivasan who followed this by an important consultation with various like minded individuals/institutions. The response was electrifying and people expressed solidarity with this unorganized section of the society. Organization of street vendors became a project of Adithi. 

Coincidentally, Adithi was undergoing restructuring and Viji found this an opportune time to get an organization dedicated to this cause. So what began like a project of Adithi was immediately registered as an independent institution –issues of the street vendors.

 Nidan’s mission is to facilitate non-violent and peaceful collective action, directly as well as through networks and to create, activate and replicate structures and systems which cater needs of poor and deprived so as to eliminate exploitation and provide opportunities for maximum growth.

Our vision is to establish a just, democratic, non-violent society where the citizens enjoy their rights (of education, health, and livelihood etc) without any discrimination (on the basis of gender or class), live in mutual co-operation and perform their optimum responsibility without any hindrance.