Eklavya was set up in 1982 as a non-government registered society. From the onset, it took up the academic responsibilities of the landmark Hoshangabad Science Teaching Programme (HSTP), then being jointly run by the state government and two voluntary organisations, Kishore Bharati and Friends Rural Centre. Alongside, it developed and implemented the innovative Social Science Teaching Programme and the Primary Education Programme (PRASHIKA) in the government schools of Madhya Pradesh. 
Remember the little magic box that all of us lovingly clutched close to our heart during childhood? The little box that contained what then seemed the greatest treasures in the world even if these were old matchboxes, a few sea shells, some pebbles, a long discarded pen, a toy car or a doll. "PITARA" is another such magic box that contain treasures that every child and grownup would love to cherish and treasure for life.
"PITARA" is a rich resource of Books, toys , games and other teaching learning materials for schools, educational organizations, development institutes and activists. "PITARA" has create a space for stocking carefully selected field-tested teaching-learning materials developed by various organizations (including Eklavya) that promote meaningful education.
A part from the publishers' books like National Book Trust, Children Book Trust,Tulika, Katha, Pratham A&A Publisher , Jyotsna Etc "PITARA" promotes the material developed by various organizations that may or may not have a distribution network. Such organizations include Homi Bhabha Science Centre, Centre for Environment Education, Voluntary Health Association of India, Shishumilap, Sahaj, Locost, Samavesh (earlier Eklavya), Navnirmiti, Comet Media Foundation, Jodo Gyan, Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Vigyan Prasar, Montessori Bal Shikshan Samiti, Ettikopakka Toys, Tathapi Trust, Bapu Trust, Rajasthan PPH, Sahmat, Ideal, The Ant, Nirantar, Jagori, Books for Change, Centre for Learning Resources, Navayana etc.
