Lala Susanta Ray graduated from SSSIHL with a bachelor’s degree in MES (Maths, Economics & Statistics) in 1994. Following a post-graduate degree from the Delhi School of Economics and a stint in the professional arena, he returned to his home state of Orissa. It was a transformative decision sparked by a sudden idea after the Atirudra Mahayagna in 2006. Thereafter, he not only re-shaped his own path but also became a beacon of change, influencing countless other lives along the way.

This is the story of Sai Anandam, a home for orphans situated in Daruthenga village, 12 kilometres from the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha. Currently operating as a co-ed school for small children, the project started as a small orphanage run for seven boys. It operated out of a house donated by a devotee from Barang, a nearby town. By 2007, the project had reached a stage where the Odisha alumni had brought its tidings to the abode of peace to be blessed by Swami.

“Frankly, we never had any challenges. Whatever was needed, it came to us.”

In Lala Susanta’s words, whenever there was a need for monetary assistance, Swami’s unseen hands were always there to provide. Whenever they needed human resources, His will drew people to their project. Initially, the alumni associated with the project itself and the state took care of the monetary needs. Now, it is jointly funded by alumni and devotees from all over India. The local Sai Organization regularly contributes to physical Seva, involving maintenance and cleaning.

“From the beginning, we had decided not to ask for funds.”

In 2015, due to a change in government regulations, the orphanage was converted into an English medium school. This was the beginning of another bountiful phase for the project. The school is entirely run on the lines of Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Puttaparthi. The students pay hostel fees while the education is imparted free of cost. The school follows the CBSE syllabus with co-education facility till the 5^th Standard. Currently, higher classes are limited to only boys. The hostel facility is available to all. Some devotees, including the founders themselves, render their Seva as teachers in the school without monetary compensation.

One memorable incident that Lala Susanta remembers is from the 14 August 2010. It was an alumni meet where they had gathered in the Mandir in Prasanthi Nilayam. Swami was present and He said, “Make these boys into good boys.” It stood as a clear directive from the Divine, a gentle nudge recalling the commitment the founders had made during the initiation. An attempt to honour this commitment manifests in the disciplined lifestyle that the students embrace, mirroring the ethos of Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School.

Several alumni from the school went on to pursue their higher education at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning and a handful have secured employment after their studies. The profound impact of this project extends beyond the students to envelop the local community. What was once a ‘notorious place’ has now transformed into ‘Swami’s village’, adorned with a vibrant Seva group hosting regular Bhajans. Narayana Seva and Nagara Sankeerthan have become an integral part and have brought a positive shift to the entire area.

Swami says, “When you start any good work, I will help you. This work is an opportunity for us to redeem ourselves.”

Apart from Brother Susanta, the project is handled by four other members of the Sai family. Devdutt Swain, Vivekananda Sahoo, Suryaprakash Pati, and Dr. Satish Pattnaik, who also happens to be the state president of Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Orissa. In commemoration of Swami’s centenary birth year, plans are underway to establish a dedicated girl’s wing for the school.

Further details on Website:    https://srisathyasaianandamschool.in/

Alumni looking to be involved in this Seva initiative can contact Brother Lala Susanta at +91 9437632059.