Chinmaya Mission, New Delhi

THE HISTORY OF CHINMAYA MISSION, DELHI

1983. In February, Chinmaya Mission, Delhi had organized a variety of music, dance, art and cultural programmes. Swamiji came for a day on his way to Sidhbari for a Bhakti Sandhya sitar recital by Pandit Ravi Shankar, arranged for Chinmaya Mission by General and Mrs. Narinder Singh at the Siri Fort Auditorium. Mrs. Sita Juneja had recently met Swamiji at the General's house and offered to decorate the stage, which was done with elegant floral swans, which are also on the Mission emblem. Chinmaya Mission, Delhi organized several other Bhakti Sandhyas during the 1980s.

Between 1982 and 1991, there were six other music evenings which Swamiji patronized in Delhi which were not organized by the Mission, but by a devotee, Mr. Rajji Kumar. During one of the music evenings, Swamiji explained that in India, classical music is considered as a worship to God. As such, Indian classical music is so evolved that, unlike pop music, it quietens the mind. Therefore, Swamiji explained, one should not listen to classical music with a whisky glass in hand! (In Delhi's elite society, it had become trendy for people to listen to music with alcohol in hand.) This statement of Swamiji had quite an effect on several classical artistes, who refused thereafter to perform where alcohol was being served.

Swamiji conducted another gyana yagna in November 1983.

1984. The Chinmaya Vidyalaya was shifted - three classes at a time - to Vasant Vihar, and started functioning in make-shift sheds until one wing came up. The second phase of the building is scheduled to finish in July 2000. Mr.K.L.Chopra became the Chairman of the school.

1985. This was a special year for Chinmaya Mission, Delhi. A National Camp XII was held from November 6 to 16 in the newly constructed wing of the Vidyalaya to which delegates came from all over India. So that Swamiji could be near the school, his staying arrangement was made at a nearby hotel, Vasant Continental, in Vasant Vihar. The double blessings for Chinmaya Mission, Delhi was to continue when he held the evening lectures for the public at the site of the now Chinmaya Centre of World Understanding. 1985 :

Aparajita, a dance drama from a theme compiled from the Devi Mahatmyam, was performed by artists from Baroda. The choreography and music was done by Prof. C.V. Chandrashekhar.

1987. Padmashree Bhimsen Joshi gave a soul stirring offering of classical bhajans for Chinmaya Mission on October 18 at the Asiad Centre Auditorium.

There was also a yagna during which Swamiji stayed with Mr. and Mrs. D.K. Modi. During this yagna, an exhibition consisting of thousands of photographs of Swamiji taken by Mrs. Anjali Singh was put up in a special stall. It was the first of its kind and Swamiji came to see it especially.

1988. Dr. M.S Subhalakshmi gave a very moving performance for Chinmaya Mission at the Siri Fort Auditorium on September 10. She also came to Swamiji's residence to meet him. Swamiji had great respect for her devotion.

1989. There was a National Camp XXIII (photo no. 37, 38) held at Chinmaya Vidyalaya which was very meditational in character. The 'Jaati Neeti' verses 250-270 from Vivekachoodamani were taken, along with Kaivalya Upanishad. After an early morning meditation session, Swamiji asked all the delegates to recite the Tapovan Shatakam, but they faltered as very few people knew it by heart. Thereupon Swamiji said: "Those who do not know the Tapovan Shatakam are not members of Chinmaya Mission!" The evening talks at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan were on the 9th chapter of the Bhagavad Geeta. These talks were listened to with rapt attention, and on the last day, Swamiji remarked that the talks were very inspiring, not only for the listeners, but for the speaker himself. During this National Camp, almost all the delegates got themselves photographed individually with Swamiji during a photograph session at the Vidyalaya. Sarita Kumar was a great help in the kitchen and in serving the delegates. Throughout the years thereafter, her house has been open to all Chinmaya Mission swamis passing through Delhi.

Dr. Padma Subramaniam gave a Bhakti Sandhya dance performance on October 21, at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. Swamiji enjoyed her offering and blessed her.

1990. Br. Sudhanshu Chaitanya was appointed acharya in Delhi from 1990 till May 1993. He has since left the Mission.

Vani Jairam sang beautiful bhajans in the holy presence of Swamiji on October 28 at the Shankar Lal Hall in Modern School.

During the 1990s, Swamiji was hosted by Mrs. Sheela Sharma and Mrs. Sita Juneja.