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As the Chinmaya Mission prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2026, Swami Swaroopananda, the Global Head of the Mission, reflected on its evolution and enduring relevance during a recent camp in North America.
Addressing a panel of Indian-American journalists and community leaders, the Swamiji highlighted the organization’s efforts to nurture youth values, promote spiritual education, and integrate Indian knowledge systems globally.
The Mission founded by Swami Chinmayananda has grown from a grassroots movement to a global network; it has 51 centers across North America alone, including one in San Jose. The Swamiji emphasized that “youth are not useless, only used less,” stressing the importance of contextualizing Indian values to make them relevant and rational for today’s generation.
Key programs of the Mission include early childhood education through Garbha Sanskar and Shishu Vihar, value-based schooling through Chinmaya Vidyalayas, and youth forums like Chinmaya Yuva Kendras.
“We don’t just educate; we create environments where values grow with the child,” Swamiji said.
The Mission recently launched Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth University across two campuses in Ernakulam and Pune in India. The university seeks to integrate ancient Indian wisdom with modern academic disciplines and garner international interest for the same. Swamiji believes that there is a growing curiosity from Western universities, especially around the Indian approaches to consciousness, holistic science, and even AI ethics.
Looking back at the diaspora’s journey, he said, “Earlier, there was confusion between lifestyle and culture. Today’s youth are growing up with a rooted yet dynamic understanding of their heritage.”
To mark its 75th year, the Mission plans two major campaigns: mass Bhagavad Gita chanting, and Hanuman Chalisa havans to promote spiritual clarity and harmony within the community.
“Let’s make life a grand celebration of joy, knowledge, and shared purpose,” he concluded.
This text was edited with the assistance of an AI tool, and has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and clarity by India Currents.