Kutumba · Journal of Spiritual Care

Graduation Souvenir

CHT Cohort 1 Graduation

Volume 2019 | 2019

Inaugural Class

Counselor of Hindu Tradition | CHT

Graduation Day — Sunday, August 18, 2019

The inaugural class of the Counselor of Hindu Tradition (CHT) program celebrated their graduation on August 18, 2019 at 691 S Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas, CA 95035. This historic first cohort of 20 scholars blazed the trail for HCI's mission of service learning, working closely with faculty to develop the first-of-its-kind CHT course.

Learn to Serve. The scholars of the first class are also "trail blazers," having worked closely with the faculty in developing the first-of-its-kind CHT course.

Kailash Joshi, Ph.D. — HCI President

Messages from Board Members

From the President

Kailash Joshi, Ph.D. — President, Strategy and Oversight

Today is a very special day for many who contributed in different ways to the founding of HCI and in achieving this wonderful CHT graduation milestone. The HCI team of scholars, faculty and volunteers recognize the exciting journey of continual learning and serving that lies ahead — a true virtuous cycle. As we congratulate the graduates, we also invite the community to participate as scholars, volunteers and donors.

From the Dean of Academic Affairs

Naras Bhat — Dean, Academic Affairs

The community oriented teaching model of Hindu Community Institute (HCI) is characterized by Vanderbilt University as "Service Learning." In such a model, academic success is not mere graduation, but is epitomized by one's intellectual, emotional, and ethical development. HCI strives to foster in its scholars the ethos of life-long learning and creative thinking.

From the Dean of Administration

Gaurav Rastogi — Dean, Administration and Outreach

We are all born with an innate ability to walk, but still, each of us has had to learn to walk. It is our nature to Serve, and yet, there are very few avenues to learn to serve. Learning to Serve is a lifelong gift that enriches each of us. Dharayati Iti Dharma, dharma is that which holds everything together. The CHT program teaches us our personal dharma (to Serve) and helps us strengthen society's dharma (to connect and sustain each other).

Service is the common fabric of our curriculum and the ultimate goal for our Scholars. There is a growing need for a well-trained, well-informed Corps of individuals who can handle a spectrum of requests in an appropriate, culturally sensitive manner.

Mukund Acharya, Ph.D. — Head, Community Services

CHT Oath of Service

Created by HCI Board

The CHT Oath

As a Counselor of Hindu Tradition (CHT), I will serve anyone who seeks my help, regardless of their ethnic origin, religious affiliation, or social standing.

I will serve to the best of my ability, with compassion and humility. I will abstain from any behavior that could cause harm, and exercise care to maintain strict confidentiality and respect for all concerned.

Where we serve: Families • Hospitals • Temples • Schools • Senior Homes

CHT Inaugural Class of 2018–19

Congratulations to the 20 Graduates

The inaugural cohort — Learn to Serve

Lata Anand
Bhavna S Desai
Gajanan S Dhapodkar
Mallika G Dhapodkar
Anil Diddi
Dhruv Diddi
Manju Gupta
Andrea Graziosi
Kamlesh K Jain, PhD
Vedanth Kadambi, PhD
Anoop Kumar
Mangala Kumar
Ekanatha Pai
Sita Rayasam Prasad
Jana Rajan
Raju G Rayasam
Sushma Srivastava
Ganapathy Swami, PhD
Latha Vasan
Sreerama Krishna Yetchina

Scholar Profiles

Latha Vasan

MS Auditor, Yoga Therapist — Vyasa-LA

I have a MS in Information Systems degree. I work at Toyota Motors as an IT auditor. My other roles include Boy Scout leader, Yoga instructor and Bhajan group leader. This course with HCI has given me a deeper knowledge of spirituality and the Bhagavad Gita, along with practical knowledge of planning for life events.

Mangala Kumar

BE-Engineer, Sukham

I am an Electrical Engineer with over 25 years of experience in Product management, Marketing and Business Development. Learning to serve the community by applying the vast wisdom and teachings of Hinduism and Bhagavad Gita, two of the greatest contributions to humanity, is the most gratifying part of HCI's training.

Anoop Kumar

B.Tech, PLM Consultant, Yagya Purohit, Poet — Gayatri Pariwar

I am a Mechanical Engineer, works as a PLM Consultant. I am a Poet, a Writer, a Teacher and a Yagya Purohit. CHT has certainly guided me to become a good human being and empowered me as well to serve the community in most optimum way. CHT is the Counselor's tool that provides blend of modern day counselling techniques and Vedic Wisdom.

Manju Gupta

BA-Arts, Arsha Vidya Center

I have a BA degree and have worked for over 25 years as a software developer. I belong to the Arsha Vidya Center, an organization dedicated to study of Bhagavad Gita, Vedas and the Hindu religion. At my core, I desire to be of service to the community and share my skills and talents to help all in need.

HCI Mission & Team

Mission of HCI: Enhance Quality of Life. A unique institution in the Service of Society combining Contemporary Knowledge and Technology, Hindu Wisdom-Tradition, and Best Practices.

Hindu Community Institute

Three Pillars of HCI

Service Learning: CHT Course • Social Infrastructure: Online and Call-In-Services • Process Excellence: Field Operations Manual (FOM)

Faculty Highlights

Orientation: Kailash Joshi PhD, Satish Sikka • Bhagavad Gita: Gaurav Rastogi, Anaya Deshpande, Vijay Kapoor, Pranay Bahuguna MD • Interfaith: Diane Fischer, Rev. Lauren Van Ham, Easan Katir • Counseling & Psychology: Naras Bhat MD, Kusum Bhat PhD, Bruce Feldstein MD, Kundan Singh PhD • Age & Wellness: Mukund Acharya PhD, Amita Roy-Shah PhD

HCI Collaborations

Local Partnerships with Like-Minded Organizations

Hindu-Vedic: Livermore Shiva Vishnu Temple, Living Deeply Foundation, All World Gayatri Pariwar, Center for Spiritual Enlightenment, Krishna Balarama Temple, Arsha Vidya Center • Academic: Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya (India), Chaplaincy Institute (Berkeley) • Interfaith: Spiritual Directors International, Jewish Federation SV, Buddha Gate Monastery • Civic: Sewa International, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Sukham, Yoga Bharati, Hindu American Foundation

Hindu Community Institute is a 501c(3) non-profit California corporation dedicated to service learning.

hinduci.org

Editorial Board

Hindu Spiritual Care Institute

journal@hinduci.com

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