CORD is a bond of love and understanding, encouraging a process of sharing that enriches both the giver and the receiver.

Swami Tejomayananda

Chinmaya Organisation For Rural Development

A pioneer in development activities

Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development was established at Sidhbari in 1985, following the establishment of the Sandeepany Himachal ashram. At that time the programme was called Chinmaya Rural Primary Health Care and Training Centre (CRPHCT&TC) and was focused primarily on maternal and child care. Swami Chinmayananda, in establishing the visionary programme, had said, “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.” The programme attracted support from the Indian government and overseas aid. Driven by community needs, what began as a rural healthcare mission evolved to cover all aspects of rural development. Today CORD is an extensive national programme supported by a highly skilled and devoted team as well as regular volunteers doing seva.

The seed becomes tree

A national rural development organisation

In 2003, Swami Tejomayananda, then global head of the Chinmaya Mission, made CRPHC&TC into a trust called CORD (Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development).

This recognised grassroots and training work already underway in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and Punjab. and enabled CORD to replicate the development work on a national level, In 2007, CORD also founded Chinmaya Vijayaya, an orphanage for girls near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Over the years, as the service wing of Chinmaya Mission, 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.

To remember the ever present Divine at all times, even while acting in the world, is the most positive practice for a seeker who is striving to evolve.

Swami Chinmayananda

CORD Model

Not ‘welfare’ but empowerment

CORD Model

CORD believes that people, especially women, are partners in development rather than mere program beneficiaries. This empowerment-based approach rather than a project-based approach, is what makes CORD unique.

CORD is dedicated to making rural communities self-reliant by creating active partners in development through CORD-nurtured grassroots Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Mahila Mandals, Women’s Groups, Self-Help Groups and various levels of local self-governance.

1985

Since

6 States

Location

89,700

Beneficiaries

191 Team Members

Women’s Empowerment

The secret weapon of community upliftment

Central to CORD’s phenomenal success is the recognition of the pivotal role women play in rural upliftment in India. There are over 1173 CORD Mahila Mandals currently operating across India. Dr Kshama Metre, Founding Director and National Director of CORD explains:

“At CORD, we are deeply committed to building strong and self-sufficient rural communities by enabling women-led ownership and leadership while providing access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities." Our work has been instrumental in creating a women’s movement that has brought about significant positive change, helping women lead their communities, and contribute to the betterment of society as a whole.”

Silently hear everyone. Accept what is good. Reject and forget what is not. This is intelligent living.

Chinmayananda Saraswati

Embracing Inclusion

Creating inclusive opportunities

Since 1987, CORD has been actively engaged in advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities and havs worked alongside rights-based agencies to ensure their inclusion in mainstream development efforts.
CORD’s inclusion program is designed to facilitate the holistic development of disabled individuals in all aspects of their lives. By collaborating with grassroots Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and medical, therapeutic, and rehabilitation service providers, CORD aims to transform disabilities into abilities.
Through this comprehensive approach, CORD strives to help individuals with disabilities become effective contributors to society, moving beyond the limitations of charity and welfare.

CORD Programmes

For nearly four decades, CORD has been helping rural communities create programmes and adopt practices for holistic welfare. The aim is to address local issues by providing local solutions through structural and systemic changes facilitated by community-led initiatives. CORD’s Comprehensive Integrated Rural Development Program is an effort in this direction - involving people in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the programs envisaged by them.

Micro-banking & Finance

Gender Sensitization

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

National and International recognition

CORD has won 11 awards, both national and international for its groundbreaking work.

Dr Kshama Metre, a paediatrician who was inspired by Swami Chinmayananda to lead the work that commenced in Sidhbari in 1985, has received many of these, including the prestigious Padma Shree Award for Social Service in 2008.
For comprehensive information about CORD, its programmes and the many brave and skilled women who work at the grassroots in villages.

Visit our website

Central Chinmaya Mission Trust

Saki Vihar Road, Powai, Mumbai - 400 072.

Tel : +91-22-2803 4900

E-mail : ccmt@chinmayamission.com