Tamil Nadu
Sai Service in Avadi Orphanage
The alumni in Tamil Nadu regroup frequently in Sundaram to discuss several Seva activities. One such Seva activity discussed was about helping an orphanage, Shanmuga Seva Illam, in Sekkadu in Avadi (Chennai). For the past few years some of our brothers have been supporting this institution on an ad hoc basis. To put in to action a long lasting synergetic effort about ten of our brothers visited the place on 14th January to understand its requirements and to identify the ways through which we can support it. The visiting group had a detailed discussion with the caretaker; we also met the children and interacted with the little ones.
The orphanage consists of 12 children whose age range from 2 years to 12 years. The children study in a government school in the neighboring locality. During our visit, we sang Bhajans for them. The children also sang Bhajans; some of them have very beautiful voices! The care taker was explicit that it was difficult to make ends meet. Continuous patronage was a dire need. To compound the issue, some of the children needed regular medical attention.
During this visit the alumni presented the orphanage with a wet grinder and two food processors (mixies). They also contributed Rs.13,000/- towards daily expenditure plus an additional Rs.1500/- towards the school van’s expenses for a month. Sustenance alone costs them Rs.1000/- per day.
So some of our brothers also contributed blankets, a cupboard and bags of rice interact with the care taker frequently.
In all, the visit was a very humbling experience. It inspired us to share more love and affection with the children and to serve them more.
Divine Rhythmic Energy at Udavum Karangal in Chennai
“Hey! Take the first left… Yeah, then come to Savita Dental college…”
“Guys, did anyone of you see my drum sticks anywhere?”
“Hey bro! Control. Play softly…”
“Hey, sorry. I can’t come for practice tomorrow…”
Many voices, many noises, many challenges – One satisfying achievement. Bringing broad smiles to little faces.
Yes. That is the essence of the music program performed by alumni band and music boys at Udhavum Karangal, a popular orphanage and old age home in Chennai.
Here is a non-formal account of the event by one of our brothers who played the trombone during the programme.
“Though it took so much time, so much effort and patience, we all reached the venue by 4:30pm – as planned. On any other day I would have loved rains in Chennai, but not today. I prayed to Bhagawan, “Lord, please give us one hour, we will finish our part and after that You can open the deluge. But I was just humbled by the mild showers to start with which later turned out to be real ‘show stopper’.
We met the organisers and quickly found an alternate location within the venue premises that proved to be much better in many ways. We were asked to perform in the Shirdi Sai Baba temple, where the inmates of Udavum Karangal have regular prayer sessions. Demonstrating some good inter-team coordination, the hosts and us made the new venue ready. Most of us were worried, including the hosts, on how the program would go as the place was not enough for all the intended audience. But somehow, (you all know how), the hall soon filled up with the children and some elderly inmates. In all we had around 250 people around us. From there on, there was no looking back.
One of our music group brothers, a Mandir singer, set the spiritual mood of the evening with a soulful rendition of ‘Mahaganapathim‘. This was followed with the popular Bhajan ‘Bala Gopala‘ played by a band boy solo on the cornet. A Sathya Sai samithi youth member sang a well-known Tamil number which mesmerised the entire audience – his high notes reverberating the hall. Later down the line, one of our Sai sisters from Bangalore sang ‘Aas Paas Khuda’ which encouraged many non-Tamilian audience to come and sing songs in their native language! This was a very emotional moment for all as it proved (yet again) that music is truly a language that connects hearts. The Band then struck again with one of its signtaure pieces ‘Brass Explosion’ and ‘Rakshagan’. The audience showed their appreciation by clapping and to the tune. One of the sisters sang a Malayalam song that the founder of Udavum Karangal, Mr. Vidyaakar, mentioned as his personal best number of the evening.
The evening continued with popular songs in Malayam, Tamil and Hindi. The program concluded with band playing National Anthem.
Probably the initial dejection had added to the sweetness and satisfaction of a programme well received. We knew we had made Bhagawan happy on that day as we saw his smile in every boy and girl in the audience.
Workshop on Educare
Bhagawan often said, “You take one step towards me I shall take one hundred steps towards you.” He reaffirmed this on the 22nd January when five alumni brothers conducted a workshop on Educare, for the lecturers and professors of the SRK Engineering College near Chennai. The program was organized by one of our alumnus who heads the Department of Computer Science Engineering in the college.
The main purpose of the workshop was to emphasize to the target audience that the ‘End of Education is Character’ and that building a student of strong character is the need of the hour. The workshop was divided into three parts. The first part the discussion was based on the glorious Gurukula system of our country, which had been the foundation for many of our leaders of yore. In such as system, irrespective of caste or colour, the students learned at the feet of the Guru; they led a frugal life. The Gurus spent their lifetime in shaping the characters of their students by not only inculcating secular education, but also spiritual education.
The second part of the workshop was on modern education, a system that is only focused on what Bhagawan calls ‘physical education’. The modern student is focused on monetary gain. In Bhagawan’s words the thought, word and deed of the students of today are disjoint. In this session we had a lot of interactive discussions with the participants.
The third part was focused on the characteristics of students. Bhagawan had beautifully described that an ideal student should be a blend of the ‘head of Adi Shankara, the heart of Buddha and the hands of King Janaka’.
During the course of the workshop, the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning was presented as an institute that focused on shaping students of high ideals through the incorporation of Bhagawan’s Educare system. The presentation elucidated how the institute aims at the total integrated personality development of a student. It stressed that the institute not only offers students quality education in its state-of-the-art campuses totally free of cost, but also strives in building the character of the student through various programmes that are embedded in the academic curriculum. Bhagawan’s Gram Seva Programmes, in which every student of the institute actively participates, was presented as a case in point. This was to reinforce the fact that the Divine Chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning wants His students to repay to the society the benefits that they derived directly or indirectly from it.
The whole presentation was based on Videos and audio clippings of Bhagawan’s divine discourses on Educare. All participants were satisfied with the programme and commented that this was a presentation unlike the others that are conducted in the college. Some of the faculty was surprised to learn for the first time that education is completely free of cost at Bhagawan’s institutions. The participants wanted a repeat of this program with the involvement of the college students.
Karnataka
CATALYST – The stepping stone into a new world
For any Sathya Sai alumni, leaving the portals of the institute and starting a career is never easy. Firstly it’s an emotional challenge to leave a place in which His presence permeates. The loving brothers and caring teachers are no more around. Add to that the complexity of getting into the professional world. Cocooned in the caring bosom of the Lord, it is initially difficult to understand the ways of the world. To make this transition smooth, the teachers from the Prashanti Nilayam campus and a few alumni from Bangalore came together in 2006-07 to create CATALYST. ‘Brother’ is not just a mode of addressing in the hostel, it means there is a relation – elder brothers coming to hand hold the younger brothers is what CATALYST is all about.
Catalyst stands for Corporate Aptitude Training – an Arena to Leverage Your Skills and Talents
It is a forum envisaged by the alumni under guidance of the teachers from the institute where in passing out students are given a 2-4 days orientation into the professional world. The idea is to expose the young alumni to the finer aspects of professional etiquette, develop in them confidence to face interviews through mock interviews and provide training through professional trainers. Finally, the idea is to give good employers a platform to interact with these students as potential candidates who can be hired. Bhagawan tirelessly chisels each student and develops us into a fine personality. It is essential that this finished product is given a bit of polish and portrayed as a ready product to the society at large – CATALYST is a seva activity that is dedicated to this.
The institute had to graduate out of the unstructured way in which students passing out would individually, in an ad hoc way approach the alumni or the society at large to help them get into professional careers. The initiative started by alumni from Banglore, given their proximity to Parthi – but now Catalyst has been institutionalized and has grown from strength to strength since the last five years. Every first weekend of April, alumni from various cities in India and abroad come together for this workshop where passing out students from MBA, M.Tech and MA (Economics) are brought together for a weekend of preparation and are later presented to employers as candidates. Professional trainers are also roped in to help in this process. Students are made to identify their domain of interest and alumni working in similar fields make them appreciate what roles such fields would demand of them as fresh graduates. Alumni with rich professional experience take up roles of mentors to guide their young brothers even after the workshop is over.
It must be noted that one of the reasons for this event being successful is because the alumni have continuously engaged with the institute. Alumni from Banglore are always in touch with the placement officer and other senior faculty to ensure that gap between expectations and delivery is being continually bridged. Catalyst today has become self sustaining because the students that benefit out of this programme come back as alumni to help run this programme. A large number of students are placed through Catalyst. It should be noted that the program has delivered across business cycles, especially in times when corporates that hire in bulk do not turn up on a given year. The quality of employers being attracted is also improving over the years. However, much still needs to be done. The wonderful seva activity would get impetus if more alumni use their professional network and present to the corporate world Bhagawan’s students through this platform. The student profiles too is improving as each passing batch is better informed and has richer credentials making each year a new challenge.
Catalyst today has become an acceptable platform for helping students make the cross over to the professional world. This model is documented in the institute’s report to the NAAC committee. Alumni brothers who have been active in this initiative do it as a gesture of gratitude to Bhagawan and His institute. They have derived joy from the fact that students passing out had often told Him that they were going to Banglore to attend the programme and He has blessed them. The Seva, we pray, will continue to gain strength guided now by the unseen hand of our Lord.
Reaching Out Through Music
What we are is God’s gift to us. What we become should be our gift to the Lord. The Sathya Sai alumni Brass Band firmly believes in this. Their love for music is anchored around the music of love. Inspired by this truth, they have been reaching out to various sections of the society who are usually labelled ‘less privileged’. On 24th July, the children of SOS village, an orphanage in South Bangalore were in for a special treat of musical love. For close to an hour and half, around 30 band members including their family members encouraging from the audience, rendered both vocal and instrumental songs that transported the children to a world of fun and excitement.
Every kid is a royal prince in the eyes of his/her mother. So it was only befitting that the programme commenced with the royal theme of the movie, ‘Jodhaa Akbar’. Then it was time to pay gratitude to motherhood and its essence…love. This was beautifully put across by a soft piano-based instrumental of the bhajan, ‘Janani Sai’. A peppy number ‘Bum Bum Bole’ which was full of infant mischief was a celebration of the sheer carefree times of childhood. A clarinet solo of a popular Kannada number followed which was well received by the audience. The power of dreams was subtly conveyed through this piece. Traditional band pieces including the swinging version of the classic ‘La Bamba’ and a power packed ‘Bread-fan’ apart from energetic songs from ‘Rock On’ and English and Hindi classics completed the bouquet of songs rendered that evening.
Each song was preceded by an emphasis on the value that song sought to inspire. The presenter, also an alumni band member, interacted in the local vernacular, Kannada, much to the audience delight. For a Hindi song concerning a sailor, the virtue of faith and self-belief was put across. When a sailor sets across the seas, all he sees is water around. There’s no visible evidence of land for months on a stretch. Yet how does the sailor not get distraught but remains calm knowing the direction to his destination? He solicits the help of the guiding stars and the sun to know his direction. So too, as long as we base our lives on the guiding star that is love, we will reach our destination which is a world of joy and peace. Every song was a vehicle to reveal an inspiring aspect of eternal values like faith, love, compassion and self-belief.
The interactions with the kids were poignant and lively at once. The kids were on the money with respect to queries tossed about the moral of the several stories narrated. The children’s spontaneity and zest for life in spite of hardships faced so far in their lives so far was a wonderful exposition of living life in the moment. The alumni band members are indebted to Swami for such a wonderful opportunity.
Vidyavahini: Bovipalya village school takes to SSSVV education
Bovipalya village in Kuthaganahalli, Karnataka, was recently the scene of buzzing excitement and flurry of activity. The village school had adopted the Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini (SSSVV) mode of teaching.
The SSSVV team in the state had been constantly working on enabling the teachers to confidently teach lessons using computers and the online material. There were few classes exclusively devoted to computer skill enhancements and EHV concepts for teachers. The team also demonstrated to the teachers on how to use the SSSVV content. The entire SSSVV team had worked at a frantic pace to develop content and translate it to the local language.
The teachers took their first class using SSSVV methodology. The interactive class room sessions were a huge success. The teachers did an excellent job in merging their traditional teaching methods and tools with the new online content. The teachers and students were so engrossed that the normal 40 minute session was extended well over an hour. The much awaited lunch break was forgotten!
After the class room sessions, the SSSVV team obtained feedback about the program from the students. They found the programme very interesting! They wanted the SSSVV teaching to encompass all the subjects and not just restrict it to Science, Maths and Social Studies. The teachers too were keen on teaching all the lessons using the SSSVV methodology.
Moulyoutsava, a special program highlighting human values, was later organized. One of the EHV teachers dwelt on the glory of Bhagawan and His mission of transforming hearts. The alumni along with the Sai youth conducted a wonderful music program that had a medley of devotional, instrumental and patriotic songs. The songs were in different languages and helped connect to all the villagers. There was also a Jugalbandi with the instruments that energized the entire audience.
The SSSVV team donated computers to the school. One of the school teachers explained to the audience the unique features of the SSSVV programme and remarked that the school students were fortunate to be exposed to such a vast pool of knowledge. He expressed his excitement on using e-materials. As the program concluded, the villagers were treated to sumptuous Prasadam. For the SSSVV team and the villagers it was a day to cherish and enjoy the glory of Bhagawan.
Hyderabad
Charged by the alumni meet in January 2011, the alumni decided to join hands and put into action the Vidya Vahini Programme in Hyderabad. A get-together of Sai students in Hyderabad was proposed after the SSSVV launch and orientation at Prashanti Nilayam during the New Year Alumni Meet. It was felt that there is an urgent need of alumni joining hands to strengthen the SSSVV project leveraging their talent and educational background. The extensive contacts of Sai students coupled with the ability to garner support for the program would help take the programme forward.
The meeting was arranged in early Jan 2011 at Abhyasa International Residential school. The meeting was attended by a gathering of 70 alumni and equal number of family members, 10 organisation members and a few alumni of the Anantpur campus.
One of the brothers, who was blessed to carry the proceedings at the meeting by Bhagawan, gave wonderful insights about the SSSVV Web portal. The principle of the school shared his thoughts on SSSVV and offered his full cooperation to contribute to content generation. Two of the brothers explained how a real lesson plan should look followed by a doubt clearing session by the participants. Responsibilities were set for content development, new teacher orientation and asset management. The session ended with a vote of thanks by one of the brothers. We hope that this beginning on the Vidya Vahini Programme helps the Hyderabad alumni to engage in useful Seva.
International
Imparting Education for underprivileged children in Mexico
Bhagawan time and again stresses the imperative need for us to serve the society we live in. There are opportunities galore for us – we only have to take the initiative to accept it! Here is a small article on Sai Seva in Mexico City.
In 2004 my parents visited Prashanti Nilayam. Bhagawan expressed His displeasure to them saying that I was not doing any service! I got the message and immediately started going to the Sai Centre in Mexico City to participate in Seva activities. Shortly I got the opportunity to start a new service in the outskirts of Mexico City. We started an education programme for twenty children each weekend with two teachers helping them in their studies. We also impart human values through stories, songs and silent sitting. At the end of every session we give the children some snacks. We also play and talk to them. Over three years we grew to have seventy children with six teachers looking after them. Some of the children come from underprivileged families with parents either addicted to alcohol and narcotics or from families with a single working mother.
I feel that Bhagawan is providing a small oasis week for these children as we share with them all the love we can. The Lord teaches us that we do service for our own sake. If we can do it, but don’t, we are missing a great chance.
Parthi Updates
Summer course in Indian Culture and Spirituality at Prashanti Nilayam
The summer course on Indian Culture and Spirituality was conducted by the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning from 10th to 12th June 2011 at Prasanthi Nilayam. The two and a half day programme included a large number of prominent speakers commemorating the teachings of Bhagawan.
Students from all the three campuses of the institute imbibed the quintessence of Indian culture and spirituality through lectures delivered by elderly devotees, faculty members and persons of reputation in society.
Eminent Speakers
The welcome note was given by the Registrar of the University, Dr. Naren Ramji. Prof. J. Shashidhara Prasad, the Vice-Chancellor of the University gave the inaugural address. Other key speakers included the former vice chancellors of the institute, central trust members, senior faculty and administrative members across the campuses. Select alumni also participated and shared their views on the topic ‘An Ideal Sai student and her/his role in society’.
Focus on Bharatiya Samskruti
The focus was on Bharatiya Samskruti – the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of our motherland, Bharat. Speakers stressed on the relevance of Sanathana Dharma, which stands for the unity of all mankind and recognizes the divine principle of unity in diversity. Students were exposed to the lofty ideals and profound teachings of the sacred scriptures and the epics. The topics covered ranged from the salient features of Indian culture, the philosophy and concepts of the ancient Gurukula System, to the Relevance of Sai Education Philosophy in the Contemporary World, the role of Values and Ethics in Education and to the Life sketch of Bhagawan as an ideal Student and an ideal Master and the blending of science and spirituality in the curriculum of the Institute.
Other components included specially produced video shows on Bhagawan Baba, Interactive sessions in groups with intra and inter group presentations based on select Discourses of Bhagawan Baba from the earlier Summer Courses conducted by Him, sharing of experiences with Bhagawan Baba by devotees, cultural programmes, quiz programme, vedam chanting and bhajans.
Felicitation of outgoing administrators
At the concluding session, some of the veterans, outgoing administrators were felicitated by the new officeholders. This included Prof. Jayalakshmi Gopinath, formerly Principal of Anantapur Campus, Prof. Ramamoorthy, formerly head of SBMAF – Prasanthi Nilayam, Sri B.N. Narasimhamurthy, outgoing Warden of Brindavan Campus, Prof. U.S. Rao, outgoing Principal of Prasanthi Nilayam Campus and Dr. Siva Shankar Sai, outgoing Warden of Prasanthi Nilayam Campus.
My Dear Students Vol. V
The fifth and final volume of “My Dear Students” was released by the former Controller of Examinations, Prof. Nanjundaiah on the auspicious occasion. These compilations of Divine Discourses by Bhagawan delivered over the past three decades, are specially meant for His students.
Prema Bandham
The July Prema Bandham which started out as a meet of alumni of North America turned out as a congregation of all those alumni who could make it to offer their love to Bhagawan, irrespective of geographic location.
Heartfelt offerings and Inspiring guidance
The meet was a culmination of the heartfelt offerings of the group, combined with inspiring talks by elders. On the morning of July 30, the alumni assembled at the institute auditorium and were addressed by Dr. Naren Ramji, the Registrar of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL). He explained to the alumni about the vision of the Institute and provided key pointers on how alumni could be involved in the Sathya Sai mission for education. The evening session was held in the Conference Hall with Prof. G. Venkataraman addressing alumni on how to respond to God’s love.
The next morning, the group had the blessed opportunity to sing bhajans in the holy precincts of the Sai Kulwant Hall. Later they were addressed by two more elders who were invited to guide the group. The first speaker was Mr. S.V. Giri, former Vice Chancellor of the university. Elaborating on the challenges faced by Bhagawan’s students and devotees, he gave them valuable guidance as to how to face them. This talk was followed by that of Prof. Anantharaman from the Department of Management Studies, SSSIHL. He is also serving Bhagawan in the capacity of Media Coordinator of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. Prof. Anantharaman offered the alumni many salient practical advice and guidance. This session in the Poorna Chandra auditorium concluded with a presentation on the Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini project. Mr. Sathyajit Salian, who heads the project and Mr. Sharath, an alumnus, briefed the audience on the project and its progress.
An evening of moving reflections
On the evening of July 31st, the meet concluded with the group offering soulful speeches and songs to the Divine Master. The stage was Sai Kulwanth Hall – the consecrated place, filled with delightful and poignant memories for generations of His students. Undoubtedly, every alumni would vouch that the two day meet had reaffirmed the wonderful “The Bond Of Love” between Mother Sai and Her Children, “Prema Bandham!”
