Graduation Souvenir
Graduation and Annual Celebration
In keeping with our global success, effective September 1, 2023, the Hindu Community Institute's name (HCI) will be changed to the Hindu Spiritual Care Institute (referred to as HSCI). HSCI plans to support 108 Hindu Interreligious Chaplains and 1,008 Hindu Counselors serving the global community.
Hindu Community InstituteGraduation Address
Recognizing Exemplary Selfless Service | Lifetime Achievement
Sulochina (Jyoti) Lulla, MD — Physician and Interfaith Leader. A retired physician specializing in allergy, immunology, and pediatric lung diseases. She has clinical pastoral education, is a popular interfaith speaker, and has co-led the Gandhi Youth camp promoting Gandhian values of peace and nonviolence.
The First Two Hindu Interreligious Chaplains | HCI+GTU Graduates
Usha Narasimhan (LLB, MBA, CHT 2020, GTU ICP 2023) — Through her hard work and a solution-driven mentality she earned the opportunity to serve as her company's CFO. She was attracted to the newly established Hindu Chaplaincy pathway. She is a recipient of the HCI Pioneers Fellowship.
Ms. Soota and Ms. Narasimhan are invitees to the HCI Board as Observers (2023–25).
We congratulate the graduates of the HCP and CHT courses. We also congratulate the two pioneer-graduates of the HCI-GTU Hindu Chaplaincy Pathway Program. We now transition into the Hindu Spiritual Care Institute (HSCI).
Kailash Joshi — HCI PresidentThe Spirit of Karma Yoga
A Privilege to Be Associated
Hindu Chaplaincy Pathway Graduates
Congratulations to the CHT 2023 Graduates
Sangeeta Bachu
Shashidhara Holla Balekudru
Sangeeta Balram
Sudha A Bhat
Nandita Bhatnagar
Thirna Chetty
Dilip Darji
Partners in Selfless Service
The CHT and HCP graduate certificate courses are offered by the Hindu Community Institute. Both courses are open to applicants from all backgrounds worldwide. These courses provide the broad-based, foundational knowledge required to perform volunteer services as well as pursue careers in Hindu Interreligious Chaplaincy. HCI has successfully graduated over 150 counselors serving worldwide.
Hindu Community Institute
Kristine Bell
Joined the CHT alongside entering GTU's Interreligious Chaplaincy Program — pursuing dual pathways toward professional board-certified Hindu chaplaincy.
Bindu Gupta
Brings yoga and meditation to her community for physical and mental health. Part of a team designing the Hindu spiritual care curriculum.
Jag Gossai
Now pursuing the ICP program at GTU to become a board-certified chaplain. Grateful for the opportunity HSCI gave to enhance his service.
Navin Ramachandran
Systems and control engineer by training who has worked across several industries. Brings analytical thinking to spiritual care practice.
Sudha Ramakrishnan
Music coordinator at Chinmaya Mission for 12 years. Completed the CHT to formalize decades of spiritual community service.
Sangeeta Balram
Turned to spirituality and community service after pivotal life events. Teaches dance exercise and channels energy into caring for others.
Dilip Darji
Devoted weekends to temple service since 1997 and served as vice president until 2020. Deep institutional knowledge applied to Hindu chaplaincy.
Nalini Yashodhare Gangen
Attorney with a law degree and executive MBA. Serves as vice-chairperson of a Hindu temple organization, bringing legal and governance expertise.
Shishirendhu Jha
Author of 'Cosmic Intelligence — Sync in with the Universe.' The CHT deepened his understanding of community service and Vedanta.
Maya Kooverjee
Passionate about empowering her community to care for their overall wellbeing through Hindu spiritual practices and compassionate service.
Aushim Merchant
Describes the CHT as a memorable journey of constructive debate, knowledge sharing, and peer-to-peer learning in Hindu spiritual care.
Dr. Mahesh Kamalakar Potdar
Values HSCI's blending of samskara knowledge with community service. Applies this to his work with the Hindu Council of Australia.
Darshana Rama
Chemical engineer working in South Africa's textile industry and a Bharatanatyam dancer. Brings cultural arts and science to spiritual care.
Shomintha Salikram
Volunteers at a local clinic and community groups serving women and senior citizens. Brings direct care experience to Hindu chaplaincy.
Anurag Saxena
IT Analyst with a Master's in Computer Applications. Leads children's workshops with Gayatri Pariwar, deepening his chaplaincy journey with purpose.
Sreemala Setty
Deeply interested in Hindu culture and how it envisions a well-lived life. Has written and taught for the Bala Vihar program.
Rajesh Sharma
Active in the Hindu community in Fiji, always desired to serve Sanatan Dharma at the highest level. Pursued formal chaplaincy training through HSCI.
Hemani Thukral
Found in HSCI a platform for her journey into Hindu chaplaincy. Values the CHT as a holistic course exploring counseling through Vedanta.
Muralidharan Thundikundyil
MBA holder who volunteers full-time at ISKCON after a long corporate career. Passionate about promoting Vedic wisdom through spiritual care.
Bhavesh Vekaria
Chairs and leads his local temple's vision, mission, and goals including providing spiritual care sessions for the community.
Ranjani Venkatraman
Part of a Texas-based nonprofit. Plans to use CHT knowledge to engage with volunteers and community members in meaningful service.