About Us

Renowned spiritual master Pujya Swami Chinmayananda believed in holistic education by which the best of the Indian wisdom and contemporary system of education can be integrated. This, he ascertained, was the right means to manifest the inherent divinity in man. For, it is knowledge that empowers, knowledge that elevates and knowledge alone that liberates man. 

At Chinmaya Education Foundation we are taking this vision forward, as we believe that education has the power to refine, beautify and transform us to levels we never knew were possible. We will fund dynamic organisations who are making bold attempts to create a system of education which integrates the best of timeless wisdom and modern thought. As well as ones which reignite ennobling attitudes that make a discernible difference in how we think and act in this world. 

For the immediate future, we have selected Chinmaya Vishvavidyapeeth (CVV) in Kerala, India as our focus for all fund raising and giving. Few higher level educational institutions prepare tomorrow’s leaders to face today’s challenges. CVV is different. It takes a holistic approach to university education, one that truly prepares our future leaders to go beyond their normal limits, deep within to understand and tackle the most complex challenges and trials that we face. By combining disciplines both enduring and cutting edge, CVV graduates lead with holistic thinking and vision.

From time-to-time, and based on need, we will expand our funding themes to include the areas listed below: 

  •  Support health care initiatives targeting underserved communities
  • Relief for victims of natural disasters
  • Preservation of Indian culture and heritage
  • Upliftment and rehabilitation of those below the poverty line 

 Chinmaya Education Foundation, Inc. (CEF) is a 501C3 non-profit registered in Michigan. CEF will constantly strive to partner with individual donors and foundations to raise funds for the following purposes:

Pujya Swami Swaroopananda, President 

Swami Swaroopananda, Chancellor of Chinmaya vishwavidyapeeth, is the Global Head of Chinmaya Mission, an organisation that strives to spread the universal wisdom of Vedanta and the practical means for personal transformation to individuals from any background. He is also the Chair of Chinmaya International Residential School, one of India’s most respected boarding schools.

He commenced his formal journey into spiritual life in 1984 when he joined the Vedanta Course and underwent intensive training under Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda and Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya. Pujya Gurudev initiated him into the monastic order in 1992.

Prior to being bestowed the privilege to serve as the Global Head – by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda – Swami Swaroopananda was the Regional Head of Chinmaya Mission Australia, United Kingdom, Middle East, Africa and Far East. Under his leadership each centre escalated its reach, scale and innovativeness, inspiring thousands across the world with this essential self-development philosophy.

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Dr. Gopal Sirivolu, Secretary

Dr. S. Gopal Sirivolu is the CEO and Founder of Universal Smiles Dentistry, Florida. He graduated from Government Dental College and Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Hyderabad, India in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree of dental surgery. During his training at GDCH, Dr. Sirivolu presented several papers at national and international conferences and was awarded the Pierre Fauchard Academy “Outstanding Dentist in the Country” award in 1993. He secured several academic distinctions and gold medals in his academic curriculum.

Dr. Sirivolu came to the United States in 1995 and was trained under renowned implant educator Dr. Jack Hahn in Cincinnati, Ohio, while pursuing his masters in Healthcare Planning/Administration. His master’s thesis at University of Cincinnati, “Integrated Healthcare Networks” was awarded a federal grant by the Bureau of Primary Healthcare in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with the Southern Ohio Health Services Network serving 18 underserved counties in Ohio. He was also an active member of Greater Cincinnati Healthcare Reforms Committee. Dr. Sirivolu pursued his advanced graduate training at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. After graduating from USC he relocated with family to Orlando, Florida and ever since he has been in private practice. Gopal and his wife Aruna along with their two kids, Deepika and Taneesh were blessed to meet Dr. Shailaja Nadkarni ( Acharya at Chinmaya Mission Orlando) in 2011 for the first time in a camp by Swami Tejomayananda in Orlando. From 2011 his family were hooked on to her teachings of Swami Chinmayananda and other Vedanta texts. His family regularly attends annual Chinmaya Mahasamadhi camps as a token of reverence to Gurudev Aradhana day.

With the love and affectionate blessings of Shailaja amma, Gopal Sirivolu has been an active Sevak and an Executive of Chinmaya Mission, Orlando. Shailaja amma appointed him as the coordinator for organizing the Centennial Celebrations of Gurudev in Orlando area by coordinating 108 Gurupaduka Puja in various devotees homes combined with Geeta Gyan Yagna. He was also instrumental in working with the city officials for renaming the CMO street as “CHINMAYA WAY” which is first of its kind in North America. With the blessings of Shailaja amma on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami “Srimad BhagavadGita Study Group” was founded in 2016 at his home and since then it’s been going on consistently with active participants. The Gita study group raised funds to support Chinmaya International Foundation projects, CCMT COVID Support projects and also towards the Trinidad Chinmaya School construction. In 2016 MSC Chicago, Sirivolu family contributed towards the purchase of land at Adisankara Nilayam, Veliyanad for establishment of Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth. He visited the CVV campus in 2019 and attended the first convocation of CVV students. He is committed to serve Pujya Gurudev and Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth. Om Tat Sat!

 

Satish Mulukutla, Treasurer

Satish Muluk loves his job in Pittsburgh as System Director of Vascular Surgery at Allegheny Health Network, but since 2009, he has gratefully served in Chinmaya Mission. He has been a Balavihar teacher and administrator at Chinmaya Mission Pittsburgh (CMP) for over 10 years. Recently, he also took on the role of President of CMP. Satish’s life has been uplifted through interaction with many Chinmaya Mission acharyas, including Pujya Guruji and Pujya Swami Swaroopanandaji. Among many memorable events during his time at CMP, two that stand out are hosting the Mahasamadhi Aradhana Camp in 2019 and receiving the Jefferson Award for Service. Satish looks forward to helping Chinmaya Educational Foundation bring to life Gurudev’s vision for Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth.

 

 

Dr. Apparao Mukkamala, Vice President

Dr. Apparao Mukkamala comes with a long, successful track record in the world of medicine, business and philanthropy in the United States and India. He is Chairman Emeritus of the Radiology Department at the Hurley Medical Centre in Flint, Michigan and Clinical Professor of radiology at Michigan state College of Human Medicine since 1989.. Professionally, Dr. Apparao is a board-certified Radiologist, Nuclear Radiologist  and Paediatric Radiologist. He is an institution builder by nature, being the founder of the Telugu Association of North America and the American Association of Physicians from India. He has served in senior roles at various professional and charitable bodies in the United States and India. He along with his friends established NRI Medical College, Sibar Dental College, NRI engineering College, NRI Junior colleges and schools, Ayush Super specialty Hospital etc.

Swami Chinmayananda, the founder of Chinmaya Mission worldwide, appointed Dr AppaRao as the President of Chinmaya Mission West in 1989 , a role in which he served for many years. Currently, Dr. AppaRao is the Managing Trustee of Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth Trust, in Kochi, Kerala and a member of the Board of Management of the University. In this role, Dr. Apparao is responsible for driving the strategic vision and direction of the Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth (CVV) aka Chinmaya University.

 

Natarajan Minakshisundar, Member

Professionally, Shri Sundar has worked as Director of Technology at two different International banks, 20 years at Credit Suisse, a Swiss Bank and 2 years at Barclays International, a British Bank. In these roles, Shri Sundar was involved in several people management initiatives to mentor, coach and motivate staff. With 30+ years experience in the Software and Financial Services industry in India, US and Singapore. Shri Sundar brings with him expertise in technology, finance and a lifetime of volunteering. He enjoys sharing his keen insights into leadership, the connections between people, society, culture and business. Shri Sundar has volunteered in various capacity for over 35 years conducting Balavihar, Yuva Kendra and Adult study classes and organising programs of Swami Chinmayananda and Swami Tejomayananda in Mumbai, USA and Singapore.

Shri NM Sundar also serves as the Executive Secretary of the Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth Trust and Trustee, Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF) in Kochi, Kerala.