Chinmaya Mission celebrates new medical facility and 530 000 meals served

The Chinmaya Mission of South Africa celebrated the opening of a new medical facility and residential block in Chatsworth, while commemorating the distribution of 530,000 meals through its Nourish to Flourish program. On Sunday, representatives from various backgrounds convened at the Rajput Hall to honor these achievements. The Annapoorna Medical Facility and Residential Block officially opened, providing free medical care to the community, with the residential part offering housing for staff involved in the Nourish to Flourish food initiative.

Chinmaya Mission Trustee Pavan Maharaj highlighted that the food program has served 2000 meals daily to those in need for the past two years, reaching a total of 530,000 meals since its inception. Les Govender, a member of the National Council of Provinces, noted that attendance at schools improved after the Nourish to Flourish program provided meals to disadvantaged students.

Councillor Nompumelelo Sithole, representing the eThekwini Municipality Mayor’s Office, praised the organization's efforts and called it a "masterclass" in humanitarian aid. Judge Ranjiv Nirghin, President of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, reflected on the organization's growth since Swami Abhedananda joined 20 years ago, emphasizing the importance of unity and addressing gender-based violence, stating that it is incongruous to worship the divine Mother without taking action against GBV. Dignitaries then toured the new medical facility and residential block.