Empowering Rural India

Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development (CORD)

Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development (CORD) is the service wing of Chinmaya Mission and operates as a Trust and an NGO. It is committed to sustainable, grassroots development in rural and tribal communities across India. CORD is on a mission to empower individuals and communities through self-reliance, dignity and holistic well-being.

For over two decades, CORD has impacted thousands of lives through integrated programmes, focused on:

Women Empowerment - Self-help groups, income generation and leadership development

Healthcare - Health education, Mobile clinics and access to basic medical services

Education - Non-formal education for children and adults, including vocational training and life skills

Livelihood Development - Skill-building, sustainable farming and entrepreneurship support

Community Programmes - Legal awareness, sanitation, natural resource management and more

In addition to its rural development initiatives, CORD also runs an orphanage, named Chinmaya Vijaya, in Kaza, Andhra Pradesh. It’s a non-political, non-government, all-girls orphanage that was formed in 2007 under the patronage of CORD. Set on five acres, the orphanage cares for orphaned and homeless girls, offering them a safe home, education and a nurturing environment. It equips them with vocational or professional training to help them integrate into society and lead independent lives. More Info at: CORD

From a Seed to a Tree

Established at Sidhbari, Himachal Pradesh in 1985 as Chinmaya Rural Primary Health Care and Training Centre (CRPHCT&TC), the programme was focused primarily on maternal and child care.

Initiated as a rural healthcare mission, with support from the Indian Government and overseas aid, it soon grew into a comprehensive rural development programme. Today, CORD operates as a nationwide movement, led by a dedicated team of professionals and volunteers committed to selfless service (seva).

In 2003, Swami Tejomayananda, then Global Head of Chinmaya Mission, transformed CRPHC&TC into a dedicated Trust - CORD (Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development. In 2007, CORD founded Chinmaya Vijayaya, an orphanage for girls in Andhra Pradesh. CORD has successfully facilitated integrated, participatory and sustainable rural development for underprivileged communities in over 972 villages and remote areas across India.

Inspired by CORD’s work in India, independent Trusts and entities were established in Sri Lanka (CORD Sri Lanka) and the US (CORD USA), under the aegis of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide.

For many millennia, the women of the Himalayas have served the Rishis and Munis (Sages). I, too, have taken all my teachings in the Himalayas – this is an opportunity to do our bit for them.

Swami Chinmayananda

CORD Model

Welfare through Empowerment

CORD Model

CORD is rooted in the belief that people, especially women, are active partners in development, and not just recipients of aid. This empowerment-based approach over a project-based approach, makes CORD unique.

CORD has nurtured grassroots Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), Mahila Mandals (Women’s Groups), Self-Help GroupS. various levels of local self-governance work together to foster self-reliance, empower communities and drive sustainable rural development from within.

1985

Commenced

6 States

Locations

89,700

Beneficiaries

191 Team Members

CORD Programmes

For over four decades, CORD has empowered rural communities to design and adopt programmes while promoting holistic well-being. By addressing local challenges with local solutions, CORD fosters systemic change through community-led initiatives, engaging people in planning, implementing and evaluating their programmes.

Micro-Banking & Finance

Gender Sensitisation

Health & Nutrition

Rehabilitation for Persons with Disabilities

Natural Resource Management

Adult Literacy

Financial Literacy

Skill Development Training

Livelihood Support

Computer Literacy

Sanitation

Informal Legal Assistance

Alcohol Abuse Awareness & Management

Strengthening Society

Women’s Empowerment and Inclusive Development

Women’s Empowerment

CORD's success stems from recognising the crucial role women play in rural upliftment in India, with over 1,173 CORD Mahila Mandals operating nationwide. Dr. Kshama Metre, Founding Director and National Director of CORD, explains:

“At CORD, we are dedicated to strengthening rural communities by fostering women-led leadership and ownership. We focus on providing access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities.”

Embracing Inclusion

CORD has been actively engaged in advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities to ensure their inclusion in mainstream development efforts. Working alongside rights-based agencies, our inclusion programmes promote the holistic development of disabled individuals, partnering with Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and service providers to transform disabilities into abilities. CORD’s approach helps individuals become active contributors to society, moving beyond charity and welfare.

Honoured Nationally and Globally

CORD has received eleven national and international awards for its pioneering work.

Dr. Kshama Metre, Founding Director and National Director of CORD, a Paediatrician, inspired by Swami Chinmayananda, has been instrumental since 1985 in CORD’s grassroots approach to rural development. She has received several honours for her contributions, including the prestigious Padma Shri for Social Service in 2008.

Contact Us

National Director’s Office, Sidhbari, Himachal Pradesh
CORD Training Centre, Sidhbari
Tehsil Dharamshala, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh – 176057
Ph: +91-1892-236987
Email: cordsidhbari@gmail.com

Central Chinmaya Mission Trust

Saki Vihar Road, Powai, Mumbai - 400 072.

Tel : +91-22-2803 4900

E-mail : ccmt@chinmayamission.com