CORD (Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development) is a bond of love and understanding encouraging a process of sharing which enriches both the giver and the receiver. In this process of giving and serving, the giver grows spiritually and the receiver is blessed with the power of transformation. – Swami Tejomayananda

CORD was formed under the guidance of Swami Tejomayananda, to create an urge of creativity in the rural population. And for creating comprehensive wealth and managing various aspects of their life. It helps them to live independently, indigenously and respectfully with a religious spirit and scientific mind.

CORD facilitates integrated, participatory and sustainable rural development in villages of Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, through guidance, funding and monitoring.

History of CORD:

With a vision to provide a platform for individuals to perform selfless service, Swami Chinmayananda started a rural healthcare and development programme in Sidhbari. “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,” said Swami Chinmayananda when apprised of a USAID proposal for maternal and child care services in Sidhbari.

The seed was sown – Chinmaya Rural Primary Health Care and Training Centre was formed on April 10, 1985. It was also evident that women in these communities would benefit from training as multipurpose health workers as well.

The first steps were an Out Patient Department (OPD) clinic in Sidhbari and community-based health services through six health sub-centres with emphasis on maternal and child health care including immunisation, family planning, domiciliary antenatal, intranatal and postnatal care.

While implementing outreach health services in villages, it was pragmatic that the link between primary health care and the reality of village life needed a deeper intervention. In 2003, a separate Trust for developmental growth was formed – Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development (CORD). 

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CORD Mission

• To facilitate integrated and sustainable development in rural India through self-empowerment processes.

CORD Outreach

• For over twenty years, CORD, a secular non-profit and the service wing of Chinmaya Mission, has been helping rural communities create programmes and adopt practices for holistic welfare; facilitating participatory, integrated and sustainable development for underprivileged communities in over 700 villages and remote areas across India.
• CORD has a reach spanning over one-half million villagers in four states: Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, at present.

CORD Activities

• Micro-banking and Self Help groups allow villagers to access finances in times of need, without having to worry about collateral and other banking criteria.
• Mahila mandals empower women and young girls to overcome personal and financial concerns through Income Generation Programmes and Adult Literacy.
• Yuva and Yuvati mandals are a platform for young men and women to channelise their strengths positively.  The mandals impart trade skills, confidence in speech and address societal issues which may be often unspoken within families and communities.
• Balwadis and Balveers are creative playgroups for children aged 2 to 6 years. With emphasis on spiritual, academic and physical education, a well-rounded growth of the child is encouraged.
• Managing and sustaining natural resources through training people in practices of soil conservation, vegetation and organic farming, solid waste management including hygiene and health care.
• Developmental activities like vocational training, income generation activities and computer literacy.
• Counselling and discussions to understand and overcome social injustices like gender inequalities and domestic violence.
• Health Awareness camps addressing common ailments, educating people about hygiene and sanitation including the benefits of practising yoga and pranayama.
• Literacy Drives to ensure that basic education is offered to all members of society, with interventions like distribution of study materials, tuition and coaching classes, value based and cultural education, as well as career guidance workshops.
• Income Generation by mobilising sustainable livelihood through means and skills available locally. For example, agriculture, horticulture, dairy, small shops, food products, fabrics (weaving, sewing, embroidery, and knitting), traditional arts and crafts, bamboo and non-timber forest crafts and so on.
• Social Justice and Informal Legal Assistance, such as, alcohol abuse awareness; fighting domestic violence, gender discrimination and child abuse.

Awards and Accolades won by CORD

The National Director of CORD, Dr. Kshama Metre, a long time member of Chinmaya Mission, is recognised as one of India’s modern transformers. She has won several awards for contribution to social welfare.

These include:

• Person-of-the-Year Award, by the national magazine – The Week (1993)
• Ojaswini Award for Excellence in Service (2000)
• National Women Commission Award for Women Empowerment (2002)
• Featured in the book, Prophets of India (2004)
• Sadguru Gnanananda Award for Manav Seva Dharma Samvardhani (2005)
• Nominated as a member of the 11th Planning Commission (Primary Health Care) by the Government of India for 2007–12
• Padma Shri Award for Social Services given by the President of India (2008)
• Padma Shri Award for excellence in services offered to rural areas (2010)Guardian International Development Achievement Award (2012)
• Honoured by National Commission of Women for her outstanding work towards women empowerment (2013)
• CORD has also received:
• CORD Siruvani – Award for Social Service by FICCI Ladies organization (2012)
• All India Women’s Education Fund Association (AIWEFA) presented CORD with the “Nina Sibal Memorial Award” for its “Integrated Community Based Rehabilitation work for differently-abled persons” (2006)
• Best Facilitator Award for Promotion & Linkage of Self Help Groups in Sundergarh District from Women & Child Development Department, Odisha (2006)
• Dr. Meera Krishna, Project Incharge of CORD-Siruvani received an award from the National Commission of Women, Government of India, for outstanding achievement in her area of work (2013).

CORD’S International Presence

CORD Sri Lanka was established in 2005, soon after the Tsunami of December 2004. Today, charitable projects have reached across the country touching Colombo, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Vavuniya, benefiting various groups and communities including men, women, youth and children.   

In 2009, Swami Tejomayananda formed CORD USA, recognising the need for a coordinated approach and maximizing efforts for outreach on a global scale.

CORD USA regularly organises events and activities such as blood donation camps, feeding the homeless, community service projects, walk-a-thons and fundraisers for various development projects in India and Sri Lanka. A new CORD USA chapter has also been established at the University of Miami through the initiative of the Chinmaya Yuva Kendra.

You can support CORD by buying their products here.