Chinmaya Channel Statement of Direction

(presented by Raj Mantha on December 12, 2007)

Hari Om.

We are pleased to inform you that Chinmaya Channel has now completed one year of its broadcasting of Vedanta lecture series thus setting a trend at Chinmaya Mission. What started on January 22, 2007 has now become a mainstream and regular webcast of Swami Ishwarananda’s lectures.

To give some stats: We have close to 1500 registrants on our channel site. Although, Swamiji covered 13 texts for our local Vedanta students, for the remote viewers so far we have covered 5 chapters of Bhawadgeeta. There are approximately 300 remote viewers that regularly attend Swamiji’s classes. Of these the youngest is around 8 years of age, many youth in the 18-25 years and the oldest 86 years of age. Most of our audience is from United States and Canada; however, viewers from 28 different countries watched our broadcast. These countries include:

Australia, Bahrain, Canada, China, Great Britain, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mexico, Muscat, Malaysia, Nigeria, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Trinidad, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United States.

What we have done so far is on an experimental basis to generate public interest in Vedanta teachings and to spread Gurudev’s message to far reaching corners of the world using the latest and evolving technologies. Our experiments yielded satisfying results proving that the concept is valid and implementable. Time has come for us to decide on future course of our activity on Chinmaya Channel.

What we have achieved so far is on a shoestring budget with negligible contributions from our beneficiaries. It required constant propping of our systems, tweaking of computer programs, and diligent commitment by one or two of us on a sustained basis.

Swamiji’s talks are very popular as his teachings make the very complex subject matter understandable to all the beginners while reinforcing the concepts to more advanced students. His teachings are unique and special; as he refers to the rare Shankara Bhasya written in Sanskrit as the basis which is not accessible or understandable to perhaps most of us. He is relentless and never failing in his schedule. Out of his compassion, and to honor many requests from viewers in different time zones, he has, since the last few months started broadcasting identical sessions in the morning and evening. In addition, he is using the facilities for additional satsangs to specific audience in a few locations. That is all good news.

To keep up with Swamiji is a challenge for us. It requires a good understanding of technology and systems on our part with never failing commitment to be present 20 minutes before each session every time, all the time. When a few hundred people are behind one lens and depend on one link, it presents a great responsibility for us. It further challenges us due to minimal facilities we have presently. However, with Gurudev’s blessings, we are able to present high quality broadcasts in a consistent and persistent manner as evident from many of comments we received from our viewers.

Looking ahead for 2008:

Installation of our new cameras will be completed in January 2008. This will automate our camera operations. Our 2008 goals include remote programming, that is, programs that can originate from locations other than Los Angeles. Members at Chinmaya Mission are blessed with many knowledgeable teachers spread throughout the many centers. If our plans go well, we will be able to provide these teachings from around the world. In addition, we would like to broadcast other significant events, like inaugurations, special lectures, seminars etc., related to our culture.

Swamiji has already given us directive to setup on-demand broadcast of sessions for the convenience of audience in different time zones. The technology required is totally different and demands lot more resources, financially and knowledge wise. We are looking into the details for a limited implementation.

In 2008, we would like to take on a comprehensive advertisement campaign to increase the viewers in different locations. We seek your ideas and active, I repeat active assistance. We may not be able to speak Vedanta like Swamiji, but we definitely can spread his message as effectively around us. Our efforts to create and run Chinmaya channel is a clear example of this.

All our notifications will be using Yahoo Group "ChinmayaChannel" only. If you have not done it so, please subscribe to Yahoo Groups immediately. The link is on our Chinmayachannel.com site. In the next few weeks you will receive emails from us towards our database maintenance and control of our systems. There will also be a brief survey and announcements towards our future direction and sustenance of Chinmaya Channel to our more regular viewers. Please make sure you respond to it. Our goal is to increase viewers who are inquisitive of Vedanta and just not a registrant on our site.

For your information, Swamiji reads every feedback, every email sent and implements the relevant requests and answers any questions through his lectures and directives. He also keeps track of who is watching from which location, the frequency and the duration.

Your feedback and comments are very important to us. On a regular basis, tell us your thoughts, impressions, your wishes, suggestions, comments and concerns. We all read that with interest and discuss here.

It is customary in Chinmaya mission to ask for Gurudakshina or offering to teacher at the end of a yagna. We will appreciate your generous contributions for the session you have enjoyed. Every time we get benefit from the Master, it is important we show our gratitude to him. Of course, all your contributions will go towards maintaining Chinmaya Channel and for your own benefit. If you wish to contribute in a larger fashion for everything we have stated above, please call me. My number is on the bottom of the home page.

Please note that Chinmaya Channel's operational budget does not come under any Center’s budget. As a result, Chinmaya Channel must be self sufficient and operationally supported by contributions from its direct beneficiaries that are you. You can send your contributions using Paypal. Please click on the Paypal link and it will take you through a brief secured process. You can make payments using your credit cards.

We encourage our local webcast viewers in greater Los Angeles as well to contribute, even if they have done so for Chinmaya Mission's general funds as the funds for the Channel are independent of any other contributions. Please do write on your check that the contributions are for Chinmaya Channel.

I take this opportunity to personally thank the people that have helped us make Chinmaya channel a roaring success, Swamiji for his relentless teachings of the wisdom, and all of you the audience for joining us throughout the year. We at Chinmaya Channel extend Seasons greetings and warm wishes for the holidays to you and your families.