Saamdu Chetri

Prof Saamdu Chetri, Director of the Yogananda School of Spirituality and Happiness, has over 42 years of diverse professional experience spanning development, private sector engagement, good governance, and the teaching of happiness and Gross National Happiness (GNH). He has authored five books and has contributed chapters to numerous others.

A pioneer in development initiatives, he devoted his 18 years to the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation and Helvetas in Bhutan. Recognised as one of Bhutan's 100 prominent figures in 2008, he was honoured with the Buddha Peace Prize in 2016 by the Samata Sahitya Academy. Additionally, he became a Life Member of the Indian Management Association in 1998.

In 2008, Prof Chetri served as Joint Secretary for the Prime Minister's Office in Bhutan, establishing a Good Governance System. He also spearheaded the establishment of the Gross National Happiness (GNH) Centre, serving as its Executive Director for five years. Fondly called the “Happiness Guru” by the BBC, he has delivered talks at prestigious global forums such as the House of Commons in the British Parliament, and various universities and colleges worldwide.

In 2017, Prof Chetri played a key role in launching the first Rekhi Centre of Excellence for the Science of Happiness at IIT Kharagpur, where he developed and taught courses on happiness and mindfulness. Today, the Rekhi Centre has expanded to 30 universities across India, Sri Lanka, Dubai, Sacramento, and Pakistan. Shoolini University is set to host a pioneering Rekhi Centre, offering research, extension, and teaching programs focusing on experiential learning.Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation and Helvetas in Bhutan

Before joining Shoolini University, Prof Chetri served as a visiting faculty at various Rekhi Centres in NCR Delhi and Chandigarh for over a year. His unwavering commitment to promoting love, compassion, and mindfulness for peace continues.