The Chinmaya Mission Bala Vihar Graduation is a culmination of the spiritual education that children receive over a period in Bala Vihar. This year, we had 10 graduates. Here are a few of their speeches:
Pavithra Iyer
Hari Om Everyone,
If you donāt know me, my name is Pavithra. Through high school Iāve led my schoolās National Honor Society and Speech & Debate team, as well as co-lead a Speech & Debate summer camp at Chinmaya and participated in the Food Bank and Cooking volunteer opportunities. Next year, I will be studying Political Science at the Clark Honors College in the University of Oregon.
Iāve been at Balavihar since 4th grade, which is a little shorter than some of my classmates. Unlike them, I came into Balavihar with active reservations, but I quickly realized that Chinmaya is not what you expect when you think of Sunday school. There are no desks youāre forced to sit at, no written homework, no confirmative teachings. So, for that, I want to thank all the teachers Iāve had here, who have allowed me to develop my own beliefs and opinions both about Hinduism and life overall, and teaching me how to think, rather than what to think. At the end of the day, while I may not know all the scriptures and chanting to my parents’ chagrin, I do feel I understand Hinduism and its core tenets as applicable in the modern world.
I also want to especially thank my 12th grade teachers, both Krishna uncles, who had the difficult task of teaching a class that usually has 1 or 2 students in attendance each week, and usually different students one week to the next as well. They were able to adapt the lessons and made it so that you always felt caught up whenever you showed up, and made the lessons relatable to our high school lives, while truly treating us as adults. Iām also grateful to Chinmaya for the chance to come together with my own family, and the greater community it has provided me: even just going through the hallways of school I can see my Balivahar classmates and know some familiar faces.
Finally, if there’s anything I hope younger students in Balavihar take away, it’s to ask your teachers to discuss and share what you want to learn about, whether itās a Vedantic approach to college admissions, school stress, relationships, or our communityās role in combating social injustices. Learning about these things have been some of my most impactful moments as a Chinmaya student, and I hope this kind of social justice, real-world, and student-driven learning continues in our community for all ages.
Thank you for everything,
Pavithra
Deeksha Easwar
Hari om everyone, most of you probably already know me, but Iām Deeksha, I know everyoneās been sitting here for a while now, so Iāll keep it short and sweet. Lately Iāve been struggling with this idea that, what once was is not going to be again. Iāve been looking back at all the memories I have made over the years, here, in Chinmaya, as a kid, and Iāve been coming to terms with the fact that I am not a little kindergartener running around the mission anymore. I mean I must go to college, live away from home 4 months from now, talk about scary. Plus I wonāt be coming here every Sunday to see everyone who has watched me grow up from the pre-k days at the MJCC. I truly cherish the memories Iāve made here, and so Iām grateful to my parents, my teachers (special shoutout to Geeta Aunty and Uma Aunty for teaching us 3 or 4 separate times, thank you for putting up with us, and by us I mean me), and all the rest of this incredibly supportive community for helping me create those memories.
I appreciate every one of you for teaching me what community truly looks like, from advising me on my medical questions for school projects, to listening to me when Iām going on a completely random tangent, to offering me rides to rowing in sophomore year, and always offering food. To my classmates, I offer similar thanks. Thank you for years of amazing Sunday cooking menus, bowling trips, hikes, and debates.
To the other students, a shred of advice. I look back fondly on the memories I made during my schooling, whether theyāre goofing off with my friends at school, or here, debating current issues in class. If you also want to be able to look back and see all the memories youāve made, you have to put yourself out there. Itās easy to stand to the side and not get involved because you donāt want to ālook cringeā or look like youāre trying too hard, but at the end of the day, a missed opportunity is a missed opportunity and one less thing to look back at fondly. Try everything, and you might find something you love, and if not, well itās something for the metaphorical scrapbook. Rest assured the memories and values that Chinmaya has given me will be in there too.
Shankari Kokoori
Hari om everyone,
My name is Shankari and I have been attending balavihar since i was two years old. Firstly, I would like to thank my parents, and all the aunties and uncles that have supported my journey.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna: āDo your duty, but donāt be attached to the outcome.ā to me that means we should give our best effort in whatever we doāwhether itās studying or helping someone ābut importantly, we shouldn’t let the results define who you are. After every test, or when I was opening up my college decisions, I reminded myself of this mentality.
To the younger kids. Letās be real: sometimes you come to Sunday school and youāre tired. Maybe you’re not fully paying attention. But by just showing up, you develop one of the strongest communities, one where the friendships and support you get here can stay with you for life.
So donāt stress about being perfect. Stay in the moment. Keep showing up. Do your best. And remember: your worth is already in you, don’t let someone else define it for you.
Thank you.
Ashok Mann
I have attended Chinmaya Mission Portland, a volunteer-run organization, since pre-kindergarten. Outside of school, it has become my most cherished extra-curricular activity. Initially, I was too young to realize the value of the organization. Over the years however, I have come to appreciate the space and the community. Chinmaya teaches many values and the one that resonates with me the most is the importance of giving. We are encouraged to give more than we take. To further that value, Chinmaya organizes different events throughout the years to volunteer. I have taken advantage of many of these opportunities to learn from and grow.
As a young child, my mother volunteered me to clean bathrooms with her at Chinmaya. The work was not desirable but I learned that no matter what status we achieve in life, we all have the same needs. I learned to appreciate the work that cleaners do in society, without much recognition, and to be humble.
As I grew older, I volunteered to help with cooking. Volunteers at Chinmaya use their own money to purchase and prepare food once a week for a local homeless shelter. I helped cut vegetables and clean the community kitchen on weekends. Once a year, my class also plans a meal, purchases food items, cooks, and serves the community. I enjoy cooking and find these activities very fulfilling. I have come to appreciate the work of those who feed us and make our meals possible. Food unites us and I have experienced great joy in seeing people with happy faces. It also gives me an opportunity to contribute to others less fortunate than myself.
Over the last few years, I have volunteered to plant trees for Friends of Trees, another volunteer, non-profit organization which Chinmaya works with. Initially, I did not know much planting techniques but I volunteered to learn and better the environment. Some of the drives were early in the morning when there was hardly any traffic. This quietude filled me with peace. At the Jackson Bottom Wetlands, I also saw deer and a stork that brought me quiet joy.
I got the opportunity to visit parks and neighborhoods I may not otherwise have known about. Each event, I helped dig, loosen dirt, put shrubs and trees in the ground, and mulch around them. I also helped mark some trees. I know more about planting trees now than I did before. Planting trees has been my most treasured volunteer activity as I have learned that shrubs and trees need proper conditions and gentle care to grow, much like all living things.
Through my volunteer work I have sought to contribute to communities such as those impacting me immediately (Chinmaya bathroom cleaning), to those impacting the people around me (homeless shelter cooking), and those impacting the living beings around me (tree planting). From my perspective, I feel that I have gotten a lot from volunteering, such as learning and joy. However, I hope that I have given more in other ways.
Sumana Jayaraman
Hello everyone,
I’m super excited to be here with you all today! My name is Sumana Jayaraman and I joined BalaVihar in my 6th grade. When I joined BalaVihar, I immediately liked the feeling of community and the ability to celebrate festivals together. I also liked the opportunity to volunteer with shelter cooking where I made some friends.
My favorite teachers were Geetha aunty and Naveen uncle ā they were so kind and explained stuff well. I have always been curious about our customs and traditions and BalaVihar gave me a way to learn about them . Besides BalaVihar. I have been part of Prithvi seva and learnt about how to care for our earth. I have also been part of cool kids shelter cooking where I have cooked many meals under Usha auntys direction.
I am currently finishing my 11th grade in high school and will be continuing to volunteer at Haridwar next year as I wrap up my 12 th grade.
I want to thank all of my teachers, uncles and aunties for teaching me, mentoring me and making me feel part of the community. I want to thank Chinmaya Mission for all the opportunities to learn about our culture, explore spirituality and volunteer. And last but not least I have enjoyed all the yummy meals from Shadras.
Thanks a lot!
Mahika Bhan
Hari OM,
My name is Mahi, and Iāve been attending Balvihar for about 10 years now. During this time, I was involved in Swaranjali, Vedic Chanting, Gita chanting, Oregon Food Bank Packaging, and Shadras Cooking. I also love to read, bake, and swim. For our 11th grade lunch, I was up very late baking 12 bags of brownie mix.
First and foremost, Iād like to thank my family and teachers for their constant support throughout this journey. Iād also like to thank my classmates for being a consistent friend, maybe against their will at times. Also, happy motherās day.
Looking back, I truly believe that being a part of Chinmaya Mission has been one of the most transformative experiences of my lifeāthough not in the way I initially expected.
When I was younger, I didnāt always understand the value of coming every Sunday. But over time, I began to realize how the principles of Dharmic living apply to real life. Whether itās managing conflict with compassion or staying grounded during the stress of college applications, the teachings have shaped how I think, act, and lead.
To the younger studentsāthere might be days when you donāt feel like showing up or paying attention, and thatās okay. But trust me when I say that every lesson, every story, and every value you learn here will come back to support you in ways you donāt expect. Stay curious, ask questions, and keep showing up.
As I step into the next chapter of my life, I know there will be challenges ahead. But with the foundation Iāve built here and the wisdom Iāve gained, I feel confident that Iāll be able to face whatever comes my way with clarity and purpose.
Thank you.