When Policy Meets Practice: NITI Aayog Members Visit SVYM

For over four decades, SVYM has worked alongside tribal and rural communities in H.D. Kote, learning from them while building programmes that respond to their aspirations and realities. This five-day visit by Dr. R. Balasubramaniam and Dr. Aniya Joram, Full-Time Members of NITI Aayog, joined by Shri Ganesan Nagarajan, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), and SVYM’s leadership.

At the Prakruthi Millet Canteen, a rural social business run by indigenous women, the delegation inaugurated India’s first Jan A Café, a collaborative initiative between Head Held High Foundation and SVYM. Madan Padaki, Founder of Head Held High Foundation, described it as a “Malaria Café” by women for women. For women, building solutions for and from the community demonstrated how rural enterprises can create value and livelihoods while embracing new technologies.

At the Eklavya Model Residential School in Sollepura, Dr. R. Balu recalled the advocacy, including efforts that helped secure land for the school. He interacted with students and visited the hostel and dining facilities. At Viveka Tribal Centre for Learning (VTCL), community members shared their aspirations and concerns with representatives from NITI Aayog. The delegation also met a Self-Help Group formed over 20 years ago and discussed forest resources, livelihoods and public services.

The visit also included Jandhanwadi Community Radio, which reaches nearly 2.7 lakh people across the region, and an interaction at V-LEAD. The two-day visit created a space for representatives from SVYM’s institutional journey and policy efforts to connect, reflecting on community-led work and the role of lived experience in strengthening public policy.

GenNext-Kausalyan: A Skilling Initiative Gaining Momentum

The GenNext-Kausalyan initiative is focused on helping young people build the skills, confidence and capabilities they need to access meaningful employment opportunities.

The partnership with Infosys Foundation has been an important part of this journey. Their involvement has extended beyond supporting the programme to engaging closely with its implementation. The Infosys team contributed to planning, stepped into classrooms to teach, and hosted students for exposure visits at the Infosys Campus in Mysuru.

We thank Ms. Vanishree Chickmagalur and the Infosys team for their engagement and for contributing to a richer learning experience for the students.

With its structured, metrics-driven approach to soft skills and employability, the GenNext program offers a strong foundation for further work in youth development, with potential for models that can be adapted and scaled.

As we continue this journey, the partnership reinforces our commitment to building human and social capital and creating pathways to meaningful economic opportunity for young people.

World Youth Skills Day: Turning Skills into Opportunity

World Youth Skills Day was marked by recognising the achievements of youth, women and farmers trained through SVYM’s Viveka Rural Livelihood Centres across Karnataka.

The average monthly income following vocational training is around ₹30,000 for agriculture-related activities, and ₹15,000–18,000 for courses such as General Duty Assistant, Mobile Repair Training, Beautician and Fashion Designing Courses.

These outcomes reflect the value of investing in skills that create pathways to livelihoods and economic opportunity. We thank our partners who continue to support training and upskilling opportunities for rural youth.

A Learning Visit to Institute of Palliative Medicine

The Palliative Care team at SVYM recently visited the Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM), Kozhikode, to learn from its community-based palliative care model.

We thank the IPM team for their warm hospitality and for generously sharing their knowledge and experience. The learnings from the visit will further strengthen SVYM’s efforts to expand equitable, compassionate and quality palliative care services across Karnataka.

A New Chapter in Community-Based Rehabilitation

In partnership with Nayana Energy Limited, SVYM marked an important milestone under Project SMART H with the inauguration of Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) services across Mysuru and Kodagu districts. The event brought together government representatives, CSR partners, disability federations and community institutions.

The event also marked the launch of ‘Vishesha’, a brand of products developed by Federations of Persons with Disabilities, including rice and ragi flour, paper bags and incense sticks. The initiative seeks to strengthen livelihood opportunities and market linkages through collective enterprises.

The event reaffirmed the value of collaboration among government, CSR partners, disability federations and community institutions in strengthening rehabilitation, livelihoods and greater inclusion.

‘Reflections on Swami Vivekananda’: Book Launch

At SVYM, the life and message of Swami Vivekananda have long inspired our work in service, institution-building and community action. Reflections on Swami Vivekananda is another step in that journey.

Released on 11 July 2026 at the BSS Vidyodaya Seminar Hall, Mysuru, the publication also marks the beginning of SVYM’s Publication Division, following its formal recognition as a publishing house with its own ISBN.

The volume brings together insights from Sri Guru Rohit Arya, Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Dr. M. A. Balasubramanya, Dr. M. R. Seetharam, Dr. Govind Sharma, Sri Surajit Dasgupta (Swadharma), and Swami Bodhamayananda. Mr. Ramesh Venkatraman drafted the book, drawing on his role in curating, conducting and transcribing the webinar series.

At the launch, contributors reflected on the continuing relevance of Swami Vivekananda’s thought. Dr. M. R. Seetharam spoke of ideas finding expression in action, while Dr. M. A. Balasubramanya noted the significance of releasing the book on World Population Day, with this year’s focus on youth. Dr. R. Balu reflected on how perspectives evolve over time, and Sri Govind Sharma described Swami Vivekananda’s ideas as a practical toolkit that could inspire people towards villages, schools and hospitals through organisations like SVYM.

Swami Shivanandanandaji Maharaj of Ramakrishna Ashrama and Sri R. Vasudev Bhat of BSS Vidyodaya graced the event as Chief Guests, while SVYM CEO Ms. Savitha Sulugodu presided.

As SVYM continues to work towards building a society rooted in service, character and social responsibility, we hope this publication encourages reflection that leads to action.

To purchase the book, contact: 94489 73582

Kargil Vijay Diwas: Lessons in Courage and Leadership

On Kargil Vijay Diwas, Viveka Sainik School hosted Group Captain Naval Saini, an Indian Air Force veteran who served in strategic operations across Leh and Ladakh and has served decades with the Air Force Selection Boards.

As part of the school’s tradition, a war veteran is invited each year to share experiences of courage and service with the students. Group Captain Saini spoke about his experiences during the Kargil War, sharing lessons on leadership, resilience and patriotism.

As we remember the heroes of Kargil, the interaction reaffirmed the school’s commitment to nurturing young minds with courage, character and a commitment to serve the nation.

VIIS–Cornell University Workshop: Learning the Art of Debate

Vivekananda Institute of Indian Studies (VIIS) hosted a three-day Argumentation and Debate Workshop from 2–4 July 2026 at V-LEAD, Mysuru, in collaboration with ILR School, Cornell University, USA. The workshop brought together 32 students from schools across Mysuru, Hosur and Bengaluru, including students from Viveka School of Excellence and Manjula School.

The Speech and Debate program at Cornell University brings together faculty and staff with more than 60 years of combined teaching and coaching experience. VIIS has partnered with Cornell University for 14 years through its Global Service Learning programme at SVYM.

Using a blended learning model, students worked in small groups led by debate coaches, learning and practising skills ranging from argument building to refutation strategies. The workshop focused on the World Schools Style of debate, one of the fastest-growing debate formats in secondary schools worldwide.

The three-day programme culminated in a debate tournament, with one team emerging as champions. The workshop was facilitated by students from ILR School, Cornell University, along with Ms. Amitha Prakash, a participant in SVYM’s International Debate Camp.