Enshrined in the values of Satya (truthfulness), Ahimsa (Non Violence), Seva (Service) and Tyaga (Sacrifice), Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) is engaged in building a new civil society in India through its grassroots to policy-level action in Health, Education and Community Development sectors. SVYM is rendering its service to the rural, tribal and marginalized community in Karnataka from the past 3 decades.
Vivekananda Institute of Indian Studies (VIIS) an initiative of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement is a global initiative to build thought leaders in the social space through exposure to the Indian context and value perspectives.
Through our years of research and analysis, we create bespoke offerings of educational courses, field trips and hands on learning that take students through an scintillating journey of Indian Immersion.
Dr R.Balasubramaniam (Balu) is a development activist, social innovator, writer and a leadership trainer. He is a medical doctor by training, with specialization in Public administration from Harvard University. Inspired by the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, he founded the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement at the age of 19 and went on to work with the displaced and dispossessed forest-based tribes in H.D.Kote Taluk of Mysore District, Karnataka and this has grown to be one of India’s finest NGOs.
Paul R. Greenough is a distinguished faculty at the Department of History at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Iowa. He had been the Director of the Cross Borders Program of International Studies and also the co-director of the National Resource Center in International Studies.
Violin Maestro Dr. Mysore Manjunath is one of the top ranking violinists in India today. He is on the faculty at the University of Mysore and guiding scholars and students for PhD program at the department of music. Dr. Manjunath, true cultural ambassador of India and continue to preserve and spread the rich cultural heritage of Indian Classical music, in all its glory.
M.A. Jayashree is an accomplished teacher of spoken Sanskrit, propagating learning of spoken Sanskrit through simple means. Dr Jayashree has a large following of overseas students in this field. She served as a Professor and Head of the Department of Sanskrit at D.Banumaiah’s college in Mysore, Karnataka.
Prof. Sreenath, Ph.D., MNO (nonprofit MBA), is a tenured full professor at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH. His research is in developing mathematical and computational models for Global Issues, and, Mammalian Systems Biology. He served as the Director of UNESCO GENIe Center, and was on the World Water Commission. He is the Director of Case Systems Biology Center and the Director of Graduate Online Program in Systems & Controls. He has a deep passion and commitment to serve in the nonprofit arena.
Donna Ramil is the Associate Director of International Programs and Student Services at the ILR School, Cornell University and Key advisor for students seeking international opportunities. Donna works towards generating more study abroad, internships, service learning and independent research opportunities for the students.
Dr. Rekha Shanmukha has more than 10 years of experience as a dentist. Before her engagement with VIIS in 2012 she was associated with VMH, Sargur from 2008. Her other interests are Health training and facilitating, Clinical Management and Administration.
Mr. Sudarshan S, Faculty Member, V-LEAD/VIIS , Mysuru, has an experience of over 30 years, serving in the Government/Corporate /NGO Sectors with expertise in English Language Teaching, Soft skills and HR Training besides being an alumnus of “Dishaâ€, a worldwide leadership initiative of Common Purpose, U.K.
Mr. Dharmesha is associated with VIIS from 2010. His previous experience was as a purchase executive in an automobile industry. He is currently pursuing his graduation in Bachelor of Arts. His interests are in current affairs and Accounting Management.
Mr. Ananta N.Kulkarni is associated with VIIS from May 2019. He has more than 10 years of experience in NGOs especially in Education sector. He choose his career by choice not by chance. His other interest includes photography, music & travelling.
Ms. Divya G is associated with VIIS from April 2019. She Holds a Master Degree in Non-Profit Management from Vivekananda Institute of Leadership Development, Mysore. Earlier to this engagement she was associated with Vivekananda Memorial Hospital, Saragur and a Community based Organisation working for Female Sex Workers. Her other interests are Health programs facilitation, Yoga and Financial Management.
Ms.Ranjitha C N is associated with VIIS from April 2018. She is a Post graduate in Development Management from Vivekananda Institute for Leadership Development, recognized by University of Mysore. Her special interests are in Education and Accounting.
Hear what they say
Thank you so much for everything. You made us feel SVYM like a second home! I am so blessed and grateful to have had this opportunity with you all and I’m so so so sad to leave. Thank you!!! India is such a beautiful place filled with amazing people. The culture is so rich and I can’t wait to tell people back home about how amazing it is. I cannot wait to come back! I’m going to miss India very very much.
Helen Heyer Walsh - University of Minnesota
It's hard to encapsulate my impressions of India without writing many pages - to keep it short my stay has been fantastic and I would love to come back to explore more of the country. The people, culture, food, and scenery has been excellent and I would not change many things about my experience here.
Dawson Cooper - University of Minnesota
India is so rich in culture, diversity, and very welcoming. I hope to tell people back at home about my experience here. Even though I faced challenges and experience culture shock, overall, I have a good impression about India and it's history.
Lillian Chen - University of Minnesota
I feel very grateful to have had the opportunity to experience a little bit of Indian culture and to have learned about a non-Western country’s perspective on health!
Emma Norton, Allegheny College
I think that working hard and trying my best to understand expectations in a calm, direct way is a big take away. I would like to pursue a major in psychology along with my global health major now.
Blair Proteau, Allegheny College
Some of my most memorable experiences include the mobile health unit and having tea in a tea stall after going to a temple with community health workers and visiting a village.
Emma Sillman, University of IOWA
Let's build an engagement
Mon–Fri : 9:00–17:00
Saturday : 9:00–14:00
