Chinmaya Mission Chicago-Annual Fund-raising Banquet "Live to Love"

Chicago IL: Love was in the air on the evening of November 10, 2013 at Waterford Banquet and Conference Center in Elmhurst, IL. The occasion was the Annual Fundraising Banquet for Chinmaya Mission Chicago (a nonprofit organization), Badri (Willowbrook, IL) and Yamunotri (Grayslake, IL) centers.

The goal of the evening was to raise funds to support, sustain and enhance the already existing programs. Chinmaya Mission, with over 400 centers worldwide was founded by the devotees of one of the greatest Vedantic Masters of our time, Swami Chinmayananda in the 1950s. Its purpose as stated in his own words is, “To provide to individuals from any background the wisdom of Vedanta and the practical means for spiritual growth and happiness, enabling them to become positive contributors to society.” The current worldwide head of Chinmaya Mission is H.H. Swami Tejomayananda, who is continuing the work of his Guru with immense Love and devotion.

Over 740 people were assembled to lend support to such an organization with love in their hearts for a noble cause. The theme of the evening was ‘Live to Love’ which was reflected in the ambiance, the food, the speeches, the cultural program, the dinner and the blessings showered upon them by the Acharyas present.

Swami Shantananda (President of Chinmaya Mission West and resident acharya of Tri-state CM), Swami Sharanananda (resident acharya of Chinmaya Mission Chicago), Acharya Shanker Pillai (President of Board of Trustee for Chinmaya Mission Chicago) and Mr. Dhiren Khatri (completed 2 year Vedanta residential course in Mumbai and posted to Chinmaya Mission Chicago) were received with the honored tradition of purna kumbha welcome ceremony. This was followed by the lighting of the lamp in front of the Guru (photo) to initiate the program with His blessings. Special invited dignitaries and supporters present were Dr. Gopal & Mrs. Nitu Lalmalani, Dr. Ravi & Mrs. Veena Bhagavat, Dr. Prakash & Mrs. Padmini Makam, Drs. Sankara & Jyoti Peruri, & Drs. Anil & Shashi Agarwal.

Acharya Shanker Pillai outlined the goals, the activities, the plans for expansion of Badri facilities and the need for funds to continue this endeavor of meeting the growing needs in the community. He then expanded on the idea of starting a senior citizen center to support their physical and spiritual needs. The 5 acres acquired near the Badri center along with the pending acquisition of an additional 5 acres adjacent to it will serve as the future home for this project. He also introduced Dr. Ashok Dholakia as our new vice president, a title much deserved by a person who has served the Mission for over 30 years ‘silently’, in his words.

Swami Sharanananda, Chicago’s beloved Acharya who works relentlessly serving many centers in Chicago and its surrounding areas, gave the inaugural welcome with his usual humor and charm. His message was clear, the greatest form of Love was to give, not only monetarily but spiritually as well.

Swami Shantananda, one of the earliest disciples of Pujya Gurudev and endowed with immense knowledge of the Hindu scriptures addressed the audience with his wit and charm. He began saying, “when we love someone we give with no expectations” like the unconditional love from parent to child. His speech was inspiring and served to kindle oneness and love among all present as one family.

The cultural program for the evening was pure labor of love, presented by the Bala Vihar children and sevikas. It was an enchanting mix of dances and a skit. Bala Vihar, an integral part of the Mission was started by Gurudev himself because in his words, “children are not vessels to be filled but lamps to be lit.”

High School youth were providing seva throughout the evening with babysitting service and helping with envelope collections. Two pieces of original art work produced and donated by Gopal Nadkarni and an Air India ticket donated by Air India were presented for silent auction.

Dr. Ashok Bhatia (executive board member of Chinmaya Mission Chicago), took the stage to elaborate on the debt situation of the Mission and ways to help with funding.

Chinmaya Yuva Kendra members or CHYKs as they are called, captured the audience with their passion in serving the mission through CORD or the Chinmaya organization for rural development. Past Bala Vihar children themselves, they encouraged future generations to take part in something that is bigger than themselves. Some of them teach the Bala Vihar classes on a weekly basis.

The event came to a conclusion with a collection update by Dr.Premal Joshipura and Dr.Laxmi Narayan, who were happy to announce the grand success of the evening with funds raised amounting to little over $200,000. After chanting the Bhagavad Gita Ch. XV, a delicious meal was served by India House Restaurant. The Vote of thanks was given by Dr. Arun Mehrotra, Secretary of Chinmaya Mission Chicago.

A complementary souvenir book with inspiring articles and information about classes, ads from local supporting companies and a DVD of introduction to Ramacharitamanas talks by H.H. Swami Tejomayananda were given to each family as a token of appreciation for attending the banquet.

The message, “Live to Love and give whole-heartedly to show your love”, resonated throughout the event.
For over 35 years, Mission has been uplifting families and providing yeoman service to the Chicagoland area by conducting weekly Bala Vihar classes & adult study groups, summer youth camps and spiritual retreats by Chinmaya Mission Acharyas from all over the world. Please contact Acharya Shanker Pillai (630-886-6442) for details regarding Badri (11S080 Rte. 83, Willowbrook, IL 60527/www.chinmaya-chicago.org) center activities and Mrs. Rajul Bhalala (847-302-2383) and Ashok Bhatia, 847-680-4735 for details regarding Yamunotri (30877 N Fairfield Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030/ www.chinmaya-yamunotri.org) center activities. Chinmaya Mission Chicago is currently taking applications for SAT/ACT coaching classes conducted in their Badri & Yamunotri centers on Sundays from Jan to May 2014 from all qualified 8th to 12th grade children. Visit www.chimaya-chicago.org or www.chinmaya-yamunotri.org for details and online registration.