"CORD is a bond of love and understanding, encouraging a process of sharing which enriches both the giver and receiver."
CORD - Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development – the service wing of Chinmaya Mission, has been active in the field of holistic rural development for over two decades. It facilitates participatory, integrated and sustainable development for the poor in the villages through self-empowerment processes. CORD addresses issues related to women empowerment, children and youth programs, microcredit b
anking, income generation training, primary healthcare services, nutrition, literacy, participatory natural resource management, sanitation and hygiene, rehabilitation of the differently-abled and local self-governance through Panchayati Raj Institution. The development can be achieved by creating a partnership with rural communities, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, institutions, PRIs and industrial establishments. Today, the program covers over 895 villages across Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Punjab, Odisha, & Tamil Nadu. In Andhra Pradesh, it runs an orphanage for girls.
31/03/2026
Across communities, women are at the center of everyday change.
This was reflected in how International Women’s Day was celebrated across 10 states in CORD’s focused Gram Panchayats with a total of 2000+ Mahila Mandal members who made the day full of energy and joy.
While each celebration looked different, the intention remained the same, to recognize the everyday ways in which women lead, support one another, and shape the direction of their communities through active participation and self-leadership.
28/03/2026
In October 2025, CORD began forming and strengthening community-based organisations in Pindrai Kala, a remote and migration-affected Gram Panchayat in the tribal block of Junnardeo, Chhindwara (Madhya Pradesh).
Run by the Chinmaya Khedapati Mahila Mandal (Ward 12), Vanbhoj (forest kitchen) is now managed by six tribal families, generating around ₹2,000 per day with nearly ₹1,500 in net profits—bringing reliable income and renewed confidence. It is also reviving local, millet-based food traditions—bringing healthier choices back to the community.
From a small idea to an inspiring model, Vanbhoj is now encouraging other Mahila Mandals to dream and act.
23/03/2026
International Women’s Day was celebrated across communities through the joint efforts of CORD and Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, bringing together Mahila Mandals from several Gram Panchayats to reflect on women’s rights, health, leadership, and equality.
Events on 12th March in Indora, presided over by Kiran Attri, Block Primary Education Officer, and 15th March in Gram Panchayat Nagni, with Ranbir Singh Nikka, MLA, as Chief Guest, saw participation from over 380 women from 35 Mahila Mandals. Women shared their voices through speeches, rallies, cultural performances, and a powerful street play on gender discrimination.
Part of the International Women’s Day Fortnight, the events strengthened awareness on legal rights, health, nutrition, and government schemes, while reaffirming the role of Mahila Mandals in advancing grassroots women’s empowerment.
18/03/2026
A recent field visit by the CORD National Training Team to the Sundarban region of West Bengal focused on formation and strengthening of Community Based Organizations and understanding local needs. Activities were carried out across villages under Madhurapur II Block,Nandakumarpur Panchayat in South 24 Parganas district.
Through interactions with families, community members, local institutions, and government departments, the visit helped lay the groundwork for deeper community participation and stronger local networks. The team also connected with schools, Panchayat representatives, and block-level officials to better understand existing systems and opportunities for collaboration.
14/03/2026
Internships are often seen as stepping stones. Sometimes, they become perspective shifts.
For Pranav Singh Rana, a first-year B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) student from National Law School of India University, his time at CORD offered a closer look at how law and governance meet everyday realities at the Gram Panchayats.
At CORD, we believe real learning begins when you step into communities with openness to observe, engage and understand.
If you are curious to experience working with rural communities, explore our volunteering, internship, and fellowship opportunities. Write to us at [email protected] to know more.
11/03/2026
Holi at CORD was celebrated with great joy and togetherness.
A total of 42 Children with Disabilities and their parents from two development blocks of Kangra came together to celebrate through drawing, painting, and dancing to folk songs. The programme was graced by Sh. Sanjay Padda (Retd. Deputy Director, Youth Affairs & Sports Dept., Govt. of HP) and Mrs. Neetu Padda (Retd. Teacher).
CORD’s National Director, Dr. Kshama Metre, also joined the celebration, sharing her blessings and playing Holi with the children.
Moments like this show how festivals can bring people together, creating spaces where every child and every family feels seen, welcomed, and included.
08/03/2026
What truly drives lasting development?
At CORD, we have learned that sustainable change does not begin with external expertise alone. It begins with communities defining the problem and shaping the solution.
This simple quiz reflects a deeper principle we work with every day — Active participation builds ownership, and ownership builds continuity.
When local institutions like Mahila Mandals are formed, facilitated and strengthened, solutions often endure. CORD is presently supporting 2,186 Mahila Mandals with 91,389 members.
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05/03/2026
From 6th –13th January 2026, the CORD Resource Center team spent time on the ground in Pindrikala Panchayat, Madhya Pradesh, supporting the early stages of work at the new field site.
The visit helped review outreach efforts across eight wards, reaching maximum coverage and led to the formation of three new Mahila Mandals.
On 12th January, a Panchayat-level Chinmaya Mahila Mandal Samvad (Dialogue) was organized on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti to commemorate the spirit of national revival. The event brought together nearly 400 participants, demonstrating enhanced confidence among women, increased community participation, and strengthened engagement with local leadership and governance institutions.
What stood out most was the sense of momentum — communities beginning to organise, step forward, and shape their own path with steady support. CORD is presently intensifying its comprehensive integrated rural development models across– Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Tripura.
01/03/2026
Leadership grows through learning, persistence, and the courage to stand up for others. With capacity-building support from CORD and other agencies, Gouri Oram from Lathikata, Odisha has strengthened her confidence and now trains Community-Based Organizations while supporting Mahila Mandals and Self Help Groups in her area.
She also addresses critical social issues like child marriage, alcoholism, domestic conflicts, and village disputes, while helping vulnerable families access essential entitlements and emergency support.
Her journey shows how empowered individuals can become a strong support system for their entire community.
26/02/2026
Community-led systems are powerful when they are sustained, structured, and deeply rooted in local realities.
As part of our long-term Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response initiative in Himachal Pradesh, CORD is inviting applications for:
• Community Development Trainer – GBV (1 position)
• Assistant Community Development Trainer – GBV (10 positions)
📍 Location: Sidhbari, District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
These roles are part of a 5-year effort to strengthen grassroots institutions and build stronger linkages between communities and formal protection systems.
If this aligns with your experience, or someone in your network, we encourage you to apply or share.
24/02/2026
When children learn through participation, traditions become memories rather than lessons.
The training program for _Balvihar_ and Village Volunteer Resource Persons (VVRPs) created a shared space where children and volunteers from different Gram Panchayats came together to engage with culture, reflection, and collective learning. Moments throughout the day allowed children to observe traditions more closely while discovering their own comfort in expression and participation.
Such initiatives are part of CORD’s continued work in strengthening community spaces where children can learn through connection, culture, and participation.
22/02/2026
From 6th –15th January 2026, the CORD Resource Center team visited Parsa Panchayat, Manjhari Block, West Singhbum, Jharkhand to support the early stages of comprehensive integrated rural development efforts.
The visit created space for conversations with community members, local leaders, and frontline workers, helping understand ground realities, local priorities, and areas that need sustained attention. It also helped build trust, encourage participation, and strengthen the sense of shared responsibility around development efforts.
Mr. Ragunath Birua, a resident of the Panchayat who had joined the CORD Rural Development Fellowship (2025 batch) program, deeply felt that CORD’s model of bringing people to the center stage of development should be replicated in his own Panchayat.
Moments like these often shape how community initiatives grow — slowly, through relationships, learning, and consistent presence on the ground.
Address
2nd Floor, Chinmaya Mission Centre, 89, Lodhi Road Delhi 110003
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CORD is a national trust formed in 2003. It was formed to expand further nationally comprehensive integrated rural development of Chinmaya Rural Primary Health Care and Training Centre (CRPHC&TC) founded in 1985, a development wing of Chinmaya Tapovan Trust (CTT), located in district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.
CORD has over 35 years of experience in comprehensive integrated rural development work in 895 villages of district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh (India). Starting in 2005, CORD embarked on replicating its success in Himachal Pradesh to other states in India Viz. Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. At present, CORD is in the process of expanding its integrated rural development program in other remote sites i.e. two sites in Uttarakhand, one site in Punjab and three Sites in District Chamba and one site in District Mandi in Himachal Pradesh reaching out to around another 300 villages.
CORD is reaching out to half a million rural people in the country through its various program components. CORD’s program has facilitated 1096 Mahila Mandals with more than 35,000 women members, 2147 Self Help Groups, 219 Farmer clubs, 657 Adolescents Girls Groups, 240 children groups known as ‘Balvihar’. CORD’s integrated program includes Community Based Livelihood, Farm and Allied sector and Non-Farm and service sector (15000 beneficiaries), Community Based Inclusion and Rehabilitation (CBIR) for people with disabilities working with more than 2128 disabled people and their parents. CORD also works in the area of Health, Nutrition and Sanitation as well as Strengthening of Local Self Government through effective Up- Gram Sabhas and Gram Sabhas in Panchayati Raj Institutions. Under the ‘Gender and Social Justice’ program under its Informal Legal Cell, it has resolved 754 out of 1007 cases. CORD is the district service provider under ‘Protection from Women from Domestic Violence Act. 2005’ for State Government.
CORD’s National Director and Trustee, Dr. Kshama Metre, has been recognized for her work in rural development by several forums. She was honored by the President of India with ‘Padma Shree Award in 2008 for her excellent work in social service and ‘The Guardian International Development Achievement Award in 2012” by the Guardian, the U.K. for her contribution in the development sector.
For more details on CORD’s comprehensive integrated rural development work, please visit www.cordindia.in
Further, for more details on CORD work and help us in our work in service to rural India, feel free to contact:
Mr. Narender Paul, Chief Operating Officer CORD at +91-9816655592 or send us an email at [email protected]
