Date : 01 Jun 2025

As they stood in the vast expanse of Sundarangan in Chinmaya Vibhooti and saluted the soaring Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK) flag on the bright morning of 28 May 2025, the 750-strong crowd from 22 states across Bharat could have hardly expected the tumultuous roar of events, memories and learnings that were to transform them in the four days to come. All they knew was that they were here with a single, crystal-clear purpose – to Be There for Harnessing Youth Potential.

Things got off to a speedy start – literally. The campers raced down the paved slopes leading from the Pranav Ganesh Mandir and right into the inauguration – but before that – the Annashree. After the first taste of the sumptuous food that would become an everyday delight, the gates of Sudharma auditorium opened wide for the inauguration.

Swami Anukoolananda, the National Convener of AICHYK, set the precedent with an iron message: “Break the limits, not the rules.” Then came Swami Swaroopananda, the Global Head of the Chinmaya Mission and Chairman of the All India Chinmaya Yuva Kendra, who delivered an endearing and powerfully poignant lecture on ‘Storm to Perform’, drawing from the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita to remind the campers of their latent potential – ever infinite, yet waiting to be discovered. The classes would become a staple in the mornings, and they became a camp favourite in no time. From stories of Stripey and the Pillar of Caterpillars to readings of love letters, the audience roared in laughter as he seamlessly wove together ancient wisdom and his signature humour. Five shlokas of the Gita – the portion for the camp – became practically engraved in their minds as they chanted it day in and day out, revelling in its higher meaning.

Group activities were up next. The campers found themselves pulled away from the comfort of their friend zones and thrown into unfamiliar waters, with every face as alien as the next. Named after the regiments of the Indian Army, the groups found themselves bellowing their war cries at the top of their lungs before they even knew each others’ names. These groups, once only a little more than a band of strangers, would evolve over the camp to become a close-knit community united by the Yuva Kendra cause. From exhilarating games to quiet reflection sessions, from animated discussions to friendly banter, these groups became central to learning and growth at Be There, powered by their own energy and an enthusiastic cohort of mentors.

But perhaps the most exciting part of the camp was kept for the afternoon sessions – the guest lectures. From a retired Major in the Indian Army to the Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Indian cricket team, these men and women from all parts of Bharat brought unparalleled expertise right to the campers. There were not one, but two Padma Shri awardees! Retd. Major Madhan Kumar led the charge, painting the unbridled success of Operation Sindoor with cold facts and colder punchlines. That fire of patriotism was carried forward by Swami Mitrananda, National Advisor to AICHYK. He opened the audience’s eyes to the 2.5 war – the war within Bharat’s borders, a war that they were all part of – the war of narratives. Then they got to hear from an integral part behind Bharat’s defence development – Dr. Prahlada Ramarao, the director of the Defense Research and Defence Laboratory and the man behind the Akash defense systems, the Agni and BrahMos missiles.

Dr Archna Prasad and Dr Uma Shankar, two giants in the field of education, threw light on the inner workings of the NEP, and the power of education as a tool to harness youth potential. Then came several beacons of that very potential from within the Yuva Kendra itself – Soham Desai (Lead S&C Coach of the Indian cricket team), Rohini Manohar (founder of the Chennai Yoga Studio), Prasad Deole (Founder-Director of Z-BAC) and Madan Mohan (CEO, Deneb & Pollux). Sharing their heartfelt personal journeys and their struggles to the top, they served as a relatable, reachable inspiration to the audience. Closing this wondrous line of speakers was Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillai, the foremost authority on Chanakya in the modern times.

Presentations on the CORD Fellowship, the Youth Empowerment Program, the DIY Challenge and the Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth (CVV) offered avenues and opportunities to harness and channelise each one’s youth potential. Watching Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda’s biopic, “On A Quest”, experiencing the Chinmaya Jeevan Darshan (the exhibition on Swami Chinmayananda’s life and vision) and traversing the paths of the Swanubhooti Vatika (the Self-realization Park at Chinmaya Vibhooti) provided unique experiences to each participant.

As evening descended, bhajans echoed across the auditorium walls as campers got off their seats and on to the aisles to revel in divine melodies. The twin mega-shows, Surya 108 by CHYK Kadapa and Chandra 108 by CHYK Chennai, displaying meticulous practice and brilliant execution, hammered the CHYK standards loud and clear.

The 3rd evening brought with it cultural presentations – a set of real eye-poppers. From the CVV contingent’s spectacular metaphorical dance on Operation Sindoor to the CIRS choir’s soulful renditions on the third night, these presentations brought life and a new flavour to the convention, one that the audience was sure not to forget. The dances of Draupadi and Krishna and the folk presentations by CHYK Noida brought thunderous applause among the audience. Following that was the procession of Pujya Gurudev’s Padukas with the entire crowd of campers dancing and revelling in the procession to the tune of the famous Maharashtrian Dhol Tasha, to the campfire.

Even before we could realise it, the valedictory had arrived. With an inspiring message, “this is only the beginning,” and hopeful goodbyes, the participants carrying the spirit of the Chinmaya Yuva Kendra in their hearts, left back to the various nooks and corners of Bharat that they came from – forever changed by their experiences, and with memories for a lifetime.