Acharya Nanavaty to CMH Yuvakendra Graduates: Raise Your Standard of Life
By Pramod Kulkarni
Last updated: June 22, 2009

HOUSTON: Chinmaya Mission Houston held a memorable graduation ceremony on Sunday, June 14 for the 19 graduates of its Yuvakendra (Youth School). Several of the students had attended the complete 14-year course (pre-K-12).

The Yuvakendra classes begin with simple lessons such as coloring epic illustrations to the learning of scriptures such as the Upanishads. The Acharyas take personal interest in the youth classes and older students often teach their younger charges.

The ceremony began with the graduates paying their obeisances to the dieties at the Saymya Kashi Shivalaya Temple. They then came in a procession to the main hall.

After dhun and bhajan by the CMH Orchestra with Kavitha Krishnan on the viola, the graduates performed aarti and recited the CMH pledge led by Karuna Rupani. Nikhita Garg, Avani Mehta and Payal Sandhane performed an invocation dance.

One of the traditions of CMH is to have Yuvakendra alumnus introduce the graduates. These were Preethi Mabbu, Sachin Mehta and Bhakti Pandya.

The audience also enjoyed “Reflections” by several of the graduates, reminiscing about their Yuvakendra classes and social activities such as holi and lock-in.

Chief Guest Consul General Sanjiv Arora could not attend due to a last minute out-of-town engagement. Consul N.K. Ghai presented a congratulatory message from CG Arora.

In his convocation address, Acharya Nanavaty explained the Gurukul tradition of a rishi taking young students into his ashram and teaching them until it was time for the students to enter grihastha ashram (householder phase).

Interpreting passages from Taitra Upanishad containing the advice of sages to their graduating students, Acharya Nanavaty urged graduates to speak the truth, respect their elders and raise their standard of life as much as their standard of living. Pleasant Travel.