High school and College can be a tumultuous time for many youths. New social circles, academic stress, and peer influences make it difficult to navigate the journey of self-development. It can be helpful to obtain guidance from older seekers who have experienced similar difficulties. A great way to do this is to have a meaningful conversation in a supportive, non-counseling space. Dial for Direction allows JCHYKS and CHYKs (between highschool and college) quick and immediate access to a CHYK or Setukari of their choosing—a connection guaranteed within 48 hours!
Below are the bios of our Program’s 7 Experienced Supporters. You may choose to connect with any one of them and we will do our best to match you with them.
Isha Darbari – Experienced Supporter
Hari Om! My name is Isha! I am from Maryland, went to UMD, and am now a 4th year medical student. As a child, I went to Balavihar, but it wasn’t until 10 th grade that I began thinking about my purpose and how to be happy! Midway through college, I joined UMD’s CHYK group. The conversations and lessons helped me explore my questions about purpose, fulfillment, establishing meaningful relationships, and handling stressors.
This initiative is important to me because there were periods in my life that I felt like I had no control over my emotions and couldn’t envision it being any different. However, I was lucky to find role models, often CHYSK didis/bhaiyas or Gurus, who listened empathetically and non-judgmentally. Our discussions gave me perspective, reminded me of the unique value of weeach bring, and helped me feel connected to the vast support of this multiverse.
Kalpesh Desai – Experienced Supporter
Hello! I immigrated to Winnipeg when I was 4. I graduated as a pharmacist from the University of Manitoba and currently work as the Pharmacy Assistant Professor for the University at the Buffalo School of Pharmacy where I am also the Director of Diversity Initiatives. I also co-teach evening classes for the pharmacy technician program at a NY community college. Additionally, I advise 14 college students until they graduate on topics of mental health, career guidance and networking, academic advising, community service, and much more. I currently live in Lewiston, NY. I also have a daughter who is studying in Orlando at the UCF medical school. I met Vivekji in 2008 at CM Niagara Ashram where my spiritual self-development journey began. I have taken many self-development classes offered by Vivekji and teach Bala Vihar at CM Niagara. With all my years of life experiences, raising a daughter, advising college students, I feel I would like to help anyone that wants some guidance or just someone to listen to them.
Nina Pande – Experienced Supporter
I am a former public school teacher and now work as a staff organizer for North Carolina’s public school staff union, the North Carolina Association of Educators. After graduating from Williams College with a B.A. in mathematics, I taught middle school math for four years and discovered a passion for political organizing when I joined my local union to fight for better conditions for students and educators. I attended Balvihar and several Mahasamadhi camps while growing up, where I met Vivekji for the first time. I read Self-Unfoldment in college, a life-changing experience that sparked a desire to deepen my sadhana. I am excited to participate in Dial for Direction because of my personal experience navigating the challenges young people commonly face, such as handling conflicts, growing up queer, and wanting to make a positive impact on the world. I hope that JCHYKs will benefit from greater community support through the lens of self-development.
Ramesh Chruvu – Experienced Supporter
Hello! I graduated in 2011 with a doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. I am also a certified functional medicine practitioner and a Certified High Performance Coach. I enjoy playing a variety of sports including soccer, volleyball, and ultimate frisbee. I am also an avid podcast enthusiast. In fact, I co-host a weekly podcast with my childhood best friend. Both myself and my wife of 10 years, Ambika, graduated from the 3rd batch of the Vedanta Course in Trinidad and Tobago in 2018. We both love teaching Bala Vihar on the weekends and spending time with our two daughters, Veera and Kashi.
Sheela Gupta – Experienced Supporter
Hello! I juggle multiple roles on a daily basis – seeker, mother, wife, lawyer, cook, community server, daughter, sister friend..etc., and while doing so, I try my best to remember that life is a game and living is an art, as Swami Tejomayananda, thoughtfully said. What that means to me is that I shouldn’t get too excited by life’s ups and too dejected by life’s downs. After all, life is all about balance, and with a balanced mind (and daily naps), I have found that I can achieve all of my goals and fulfill my varying responsibilities. With this vision, I have found that my potential sometimes feels limitless, which is an amazing feeling!
Supriya Nair – Experienced Supporter
I am a pediatric gastroenterologist in Houston Texas. I developed a love for studying Vedanta while growing up in Balavihar in Chicago, and continued to develop my devotion throughout my training in medicine. With the guidance of my family and Grace of Gurudev, I have been able to pursue my passion of serving children and underserved populations. I strive to find the ever-elusive balance between sincere seeking and playful living, and I’ve found that this requires constant reflection and life-long learning. I thoroughly enjoy working with teens and students, as it teaches me something new from unique perspectives. I am passionate about providing guidance regarding topics of relationships (with ourselves, family, and friends), pursuing a purpose driven career, and seeking sadhana in daily living.
Vignesh Sadras – Experienced Supporter
I am a CHYK whose spiritual journey deepened with my exposure to the field of medicine as a JCHYK. Firsthand exposure to human suffering prompted me to ask the big questions of life. In college, I explored Vedanta and developed the conviction that Self Knowledge is the purpose of life and solution to suffering. I chose to pursue a career in medicine as a path towards that Purpose. In July 2022, I began psychiatry residency at George Washington University with the relative goal of providing mental healthcare to marginalized populations. For the past 5 years, I have been guided by Acharya Vivekji towards the absolute goal of Independent Joy. I am excited for this opportunity to serve the JCHYK community because I remember how formative the JCHYK years of life are, and I am indebted to my own mentors who transformed my life through Vedanta when I was a JCHYK.
Vinay Mallikarjun – Experienced Supporter
I grew up attending Balavihar at the Chinmaya Mission Washington Regional Center (CMWRC). A turning point for me was meeting Vivekji in high school; Vivekji’s relatable approach to teaching Vedanta opened my mind to the possibility that these teachings could be helpful in navigating life. I attended college at the University of Maryland-College Park, where I joined the weekly CHYK study group on campus and attended retreats and Yatras with Vivekji. During this time, I experienced the positive impact that comes from having a community of peers oriented towards self-development. I am a professional educator, having taught high school biology in Washington D.C. for several years. I love getting to know youth and supporting them in their self-development, by taking a dedicated interest in their interests, strengths, concerns, goals, and more. I am well-practiced in the art of supportive listening and providing compassionate advice tailored to the individual’s needs.
Vishal Badiani- Experienced Supporter
When I was in Grade 4, we moved from Kenya to Canada. Our family were new immigrants and it was a juggle between being “Indian” at home and fitting in outside of the home. Between Grade 9 – 12 I felt as though I was on auto-pilot. I wasn’t able to connect the dots on what ‘education’ meant and was really clashing with others around me while struggling in school. Fast forward to today, I currently run a startup called Better Together. I have graduated with a Masters degree from Cornell and Queen’s University. I still have a lot to learn and continue to be a very curious person. We are blessed to have Chinmaya and Vivekji’s guidance and this continues to be a strong part of our lives. Some of the ways I can help you take your next step are with 1) helping you find your purpose and live with purpose 2) maintaining peaceful relationships with all 3) helping you learn the importance of Vedanta 4) helping you develop soft skills such as leadership and communication 5) helping you manage failures 6) creating a positive mindset for everyday living 7) helping with entrepreneurship.
Indira Palekar – Professional Advisor
I am a Licensed Physical Therapist and a practicing Psychologist of 27 years. I am ordained as an Interfaith and Interspiritual MInister, a certified Yoga teacher, and have taken Hindu Spiritual care courses through the Chinmaya International Foundation. I have studied and continue to study Vedanta, through courses offered by Chinmaya International Foundation, along with classes offered by Vivekji and Anantji. I serve CM Cleveland as a Vedanta / Bala Vihar Coordinator and as a steering committee member. I have served the Association of Asian Indian Women in Ohio (AAIWO) as a Helpline coordinator for the past 27 years, monitoring the helpline calls and helping women through difficult times. Also, to address the psychological and spiritual needs of the residents and the staff of a local Continuing Care Retirement Community, we started a virtual weekly Series called “Centering” which still continues on.
Have questions? Email us at chinmayadialfordirection@gmail.com