Over 200 Study Group members of Bengaluru met in Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Koramangala on Sunday 16 February 2025 in the holy presence of Swami Brahmananda to discuss and share about the text, Ganapati Atharvashirsha. The study began three months ago when Swami Brahmananda asked all study group members to take up intense study of the text in their weekly classes. All members took the study seriously and studied with all sincerity usingSwami Tejomayananda’s commentary for reference. Many members were found to chant the text daily once and some twice daily with not only deep understanding but also trying to find the subtler meaning of each shloka with their own experiences. The enthusiasm and thirst to get better clarity was clearly visible in every member present.

Swami Brahmananda blessed the gathering with a power packed introduction of the text following which the members were divided into 10 groups with each group having 40 minutes to discuss on a set of shlokas given to them. After discussion the moderator of each team was given 5/6 minutes each to present the points discussed in the group. The quality of discussion and the depth of understanding by each team was of a very high standard which was visible in the presentation that covered not only the gross meaning but also several subtle aspects including references to other texts as well as examples from daily life.

Swami Brahmananda summed up the discussions explaining the in-depth philosophical significance of Ganapati Atharvashirsha and expressed satisfaction at the sincerity and understanding of the text by members.

Mahashivratri at Jagadeeshwara Mandir, Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, on 26 February was a glorious gathering of over 60,000 seekers, united in devotion in the presence of Swami Tejomayananda and Swami Swaroopananda. The day commenced with Rudram chanting, followed by sacred pujas and abhishekas, performed with deep reverence. The Deeparadhana at twilight illuminated the sanctum, and the four Yama Pujas through the night heightened the spiritual fervour.

The atmosphere was enriched by an unbroken offering, Akhanda Om Namah Shivaya japa, as well as Bhajan and Stotram offerings, led by Brahmacharins and devotees which prepared hearts for the culminating Maha Arati at midnight. The grand highlight was the Shiva-Parvati Vivaha, a divine enactment symbolizing the eternal union of one’s self with the Supreme, beautifully performed by Swami Sharadananda and the team of Pujaris and Brahmacharis.

Brahmacharins, the Ashram team, sevaks and volunteers worked tirelessly in the temple, managing the crowd, arranging the pujas and setting up bookstalls at both the main event and Saraswati Nilayam. Their dedication ensured a seamless and uplifting experience for all.

Mahashivratri at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya was more than a celebration. It was a collective offering of love, devotion and service to Lord Jagadeeshwara.

Om Namah Shivaya!

The FinCaps Quiz 2.0 was held on 28 February 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Prajna Pratishthanam facility of CVV. 140 students from the BBA and B.Com. programmes attended. The preliminary round of the quiz was held on 20 February 2025. It was conducted online via LMS. Based on their performance, five groups were formed: Accounting Alchemist, Fiscal Falcon, Cash Flow Crew, Balance Brigade and Financial Circle.

The main quiz had four rounds: Newsflash Hunt, Economic Detective, Economic Lottery and Economic Rush. Notable participants included Karthikeyan (Fiscal Falcon), Karthik Sasikumar (Financial Circle), and Mohsin Shabbir (Balance Brigade).

The quiz was organised by Krishna Nandakumar (semester four B.Com.) as the student coordinator, with support from volunteers, including Hanna Joy and Krishna (semester two B.Com.).

The quiz fostered student engagement and enhanced financial knowledge among the participants.

CVV signed an MOU with Pushpagiri Research Centre, Thiruvalla, to foster collaboration in scientific research, curriculum development, faculty and student exchange programmes, and joint publications. Dr. T. Asokan, Dean–Academics and Registrar in charge, CVV, and Rev. Dr. Mathew Mazhavancheril – Director & Head, Pushpagiri Research Centre, signed the MOU on behalf of their respective institutions on 5 March 2025 at the Warriam Road facility of CVV.

Also present were Dr. Anand H. S. (Principal i/c, CVV IST), Dr. Praveen K. M. (Assistant Dean – Learning and Innovation and Associate Professor, CVV-IST); Mr. Athul Ravi (Assistant Director (Academics), Centre of Excellence for IKS-CKS Integration & Assistant Professor of Chemistry, CVV IST, Prof. S. M. Sharma (Director, Research & Development Cell, CCVV), Dr. Nebu George Thomas (Professor in Periodontics and Scientist in Charge of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Pushpagiri Research Centre) and Dr. Aniket Naha (Scientist, Pushpagiri Research Centre).

The MOU outlines various areas of cooperation between the two institutions, which include: Scientific Research Collaboration, Joint Curriculum Development and Research Methodologies, Joint Conferences, Workshops and Training Programmes, Faculty and Researcher Exchange, Student Exchange and Research Training, Co-Supervision of Doctoral Theses, and Joint Scientific Publications and Patents.

This MoU signifies a strong commitment between CVV and Pushpagiri Research Centre to advance research and academic cooperation. The collaboration is expected to enhance interdisciplinary research, facilitate knowledge exchange, and promote innovations in material science, biomedical research, and related fields. This partnership will not only benefit both institutions but also contribute to the larger scientific community.

On 19 February 2025, the Chinmaya Yuva Kendra Club (CHYK Club) of CVV conducted a programme at the Onakkoor facility to celebrate the jayanti of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The students depicted the life journey of Shivaji Maharaj through a beautiful dance performance. Brahmachari Ved Chaitanya spoke about Shivaji Maharaj and his contributions to Indian history. He highlighted the importance of being aware of India’s great leaders and kings of the past and what they have given to the nation. Such stories, he said, will inspire and fine-tune our vision for life.

The students also presented a Karate demonstration. As part of honouring Shivaji Maharaj, Shivagarjana was chanted. The programme ended with singing of the national anthem.

The event helped the students learn about Shivaji Maharaj and his sacrifices. It created awareness of India’s history and the struggles different great personalities have gone through to gain freedom for future generations. It also made the students aware of their responsibility toward the nation.

Swami Chinmayananda, revered Gita Acharya of our times, made the Bhagavad Gita accessible to all, inspiring the Chinmaya Bhagavad Gita Chanting Competition (CGCC), a tradition that continues to thrive globally.

As Chinmaya Mission approaches 75 years of the Chinmaya Movement in 2026, CGCC is poised to reach greater heights:

2025: National Level Competitions across countries
2026: International Finale – A grand tribute to the Master

In 2024, CGCC engaged 250,000 (2.5 lakh) participants. Our aim is now for CGCC to reach a million (10 lakh) young minds in 2025! This year, Chapter 15 has been chosen for the Competition, revealing the eternal nature of the Self and supreme connection with the Divine.

May the holy Bhagavad Gita’s light spread to every home and heart!

The inspiring Prahlada Stuti commentary by Swami Tejomayananda, a timeless hymn of unwavering faith and supreme surrender, is now OUT in the form of a new book release! This sacred text captures the essence of Prahlada’s unshakable devotion to Lord Narayana, even in the face of severe trials. On seeing the incarnation of Lord Narasimha, the young devotee Prahlada’s deep devotion for the Lord flows out in the form of the beautiful verses of Prahlada Stuti.

Get your copy and immerse yourself in the bliss of devotion!
https://eshop.chinmayamission.com/product/prahlada-stuti

Reeshma Ramesh IPS, an alumnus of Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Kannur, was honoured by the Election Commission for her outstanding efforts in ensuring peaceful elections in Jharkhand’s Palamu district, a region previously affected by Maoist activities.

On January 25, during the National Voters’ Day celebrations, the Governor of Jharkhand presented the award to eight police officers, including Reeshma Ramesh. She was the only Superintendent of Police (SP) to receive this recognition for her role in the successful conduct of both assembly and parliamentary elections in the state.

Reeshma Ramesh expressed that the award was a testament to the dedication of Team Palamu, highlighting the collective efforts of every soldier and officer involved in maintaining security during the elections. Her leadership brought a significant transformation to the region, enabling peaceful elections after three decades.

750 Youth, 11 Swamins & Brahmacharins, 10 Groups, 20 Group volunteers, 30 Sevaks! In the presence of Swami Swaroopananda, Global Head of Chinmaya Mission, “Uttishtha Bharata – 3.0”, a Mega Youth Convention was a grand success, organised by Chinmaya Yuva Kendra Kadapa under the guidance of Swami Turiyananda, on the occasion of 50 years of CHYK, the youth wing of Chinmaya Mission.

The “Upanishad Ganga” series of 52 episodes, conceived by Swami Tejomayananda and directed by Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi, is all set to reach out in more languages to an ever-growing audience.

The award-winning series, which has garnered tremendous popularity and appreciation over the years, first on Doordarshan TV, then as a DVD set and more recently on Chinmaya Channel, is soon to release on YouTube in English, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu! The initiative to translate and dub the series was taken by Sanathana Seva Foundation, to whom we are very grateful.

The grand launch of the dubbed versions will take place in Chennai on Wednesday 29 January 2025. A special highlight is the release of an “Upanishad Ganga Workbook” in English and Tamil, which will be piloted in selected schools. From 29 January onwards, one episode per day will be made available on Chinmaya Channel in each of the five languages.

In the lead up to the 75th year of the Chinmaya Movement, the dubbed versions of Upanishad Ganga serve Swami Chinmayananda’s vision of spreading the knowledge of the Upanishads to the masses, allowing one and all the blessed opportunity of participating in this divine flow of knowledge.