Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, in a discourse delivered on 21 November 1988, said “Avail yourself of every possible occasion to render service to the society. It need not be limited to individuals. It is important to do national service. Whenever you find that you can render help to anyone in need, offer it. Do not make distinctions between rich or poor or the deserving and the undeserving. Offer service according to the needs of the situation. Today the needs of the poor in the rural areas are quite great. In this situation you must go out into villages, organise service activities, and encourage the rural population to participate in them. The village folk should be told the importance of health and hygiene and how to keep their homes and villages clean and healthy.”

Guided by His love and message, alumni of the Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions have consistently taken every opportunity to serve those in need. This edition of ‘Love in Action’ highlights several seva initiatives undertaken by our alumni around the world.

Chennai

Tucked away in the hamlet of Nallattur near the temple town of Thiruttani, the Sri Sathya Sai Nursery and Primary School is a rare beacon of rural education, serving children from Lower Kindergarten (LKG) to the 5th standard. Established to bring schooling to even the most distant homes, its bus covers a 30 km radius, drawing over 150 students each year, most of whom come from local farming households. The school was blessed by Swami’s divine visit in 1985. The school’s Management Committee includes alumni of Swami’s educational institutions alongside Trust members, working in harmony to ensure the school operates smoothly.

Over the past ten years, Swami has graciously permitted alumni from Tamil Nadu to immerse themselves in serving this institution, fulfilling the school’s evolving needs through:

• Health Camps: Periodic medical outreach benefiting students.
• Book Donations: Annual supply of textbooks and reading materials to all students.
• Infrastructure Support: Providing fixtures, laptops, construction materials, RO water systems, stationery, and more.
• Pallaki Seva in February: Each year, alumni and devotees commemorate Swami’s visit with a decorated pallaki (palanquin) procession. As the pallaki moves through every street of the village, students sing bhajans, and villagers offer coconuts and aarti at their doorsteps.
• Prasadam—consisting of vibhuti packets, photographs of Swami, sweet rice, and Sundal—is shared with every household, reviving cherished memories of the Lord’s visit to this blessed land.
• Annual Sports Day: Entirely organized and led by alumni of Swami’s educational institutions. The day starts with a vibrant flag-hoisting ceremony with the Prasanthi Flag, and a spirited march- past fills the event with pride and unity as the children salute the flag. Filled with various activities and presentations, the day culminates with a sumptuous lunch prasadam.

To participate in these seva activities, please contact Dr. K. Prasanna Sai at +91 9840039505.

Bangalore

Initiated in 2015 by a group of alumni, this service activity at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Whitefield, began as a heartfelt effort to stay connected with Swami and support the hospital’s mission. Along with the alumni, their families have remained actively involved, collaborating closely with hospital administration and staff for this monthly seva.

As the organizers aptly emphasize, the primary aim of this service is to facilitate sādhana through seva, transforming selfless service into a spiritual practice. Held on the third Saturday of every month, the initiative consistently draws 20–30 committed volunteers who support various administrative and back-end departments. Over the past year, they have contributed their efforts to areas such as Medical Records (MRD), Maintenance, Electrical, Library, College/Hostel Administration, Dietary, Neuro OT, Pharmacy, and HMIS. Activities include segregating items such as paper and medicine boxes for recycling, performing maintenance like cleaning HVAC filters to reduce vendor costs, and organizing medical records and files. A cherished highlight of each seva day is the prayer session in Swami’s room at the hospital. With the prayer Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavantu in their hearts and the Sai Gayatri and bhajans on their lips, the volunteers seek Swami’s blessings and offer their gratitude at His lotus feet for blessing them with this invaluable opportunity.

To participate in these Seva activities, please contact Brother P. Boopala at +91 9742727103

Indianapolis, U.S.A

Empowered by the boundless love and grace of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, a devoted group of alumnae and devotees from the Indianapolis Sai Centre came together this season to serve, celebrate, and deepen their devotion through a series of seva activities that drew them closer to Swami and fostered strong community bonds.

SSSGC Ladies Day Celebration

The celebration commenced with a warm welcome extended to all the women as they gathered for the annual SSSGC Ladies’ Day. Hosted at an alumna’s home, the event brought together participants both in-person and virtually, with Sai sisters tuning in from across the U.S. to share their thoughtful reflections on Swami’s love and teachings. As part of the session, alumnae and devotees folded, packed, and lovingly distributed winter clothes to families in need at Sanders Church. Each item exchanged was more than fabric; it was a gesture of Swami’s compassion flowing through His daughters, restoring dignity and warmth to less fortunate neighbours.

Support for College-Bound Families & New GC Centres

Recognising the anxieties that accompany a child’s first step into college life, alumnae opened their homes and hearts to parents navigating this transition. Through informal gatherings over lunch and reflections inspired by Swami’s teachings, they offered practical guidance, spiritual encouragement, and the reassurance that no parent needs to walk this path alone. Acknowledging the young devotees’ deep longing for Swami’s presence, alumnae in Regional Officer roles facilitated the establishment of new Sai Centres in neighbouring cities, providing accessible, welcoming sanctuaries for them to gather and grow.

With Humble Hearts: Sharing Swami’s Grace

Invited to speak at various Sai Centres, several alumnae felt deeply humbled and honoured. With heartfelt gratitude, they stood before both new and seasoned devotees, offering their humble reflections on Bhagawan’s boundless grace, sharing moments of surrender, acts of service, and personal transformation. Though these stories are small offerings at His lotus feet, by His grace, they may plant seeds of faith and inspire others to walk on the path of selfless devotion.

Monthly Narayana Seva at North United Methodist Church

On the first Saturday of every month, alumnae join hands with local Sai Centre devotees to serve the needy at North United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. From 9:30 AM to noon, the church kitchen is transformed into a hub of love and nourishment, preparing and distributing simple yet wholesome meals of cheese and vegetable sandwiches, fresh bananas and oranges, and protein bars. Each plate is served with care, and when the last guest departs, we leave the hall spotless and welcoming, honouring Swami’s teaching that true service attends to both people and place.

Annual Winter Drive

Each winter, we mobilise once more to ensure warmth and comfort for those in need. Alumnae and Sai Centre devotees collect and distribute new coats, socks, hats, gloves, thermal wear, and care packs. This cherished tradition not only shields our neighbours from the cold but also rekindles the spirit of giving that Swami so lovingly exemplified. Through this annual drive, we reaffirm our commitment to His call: to wrap the world in love, one coat and one caring gesture at a time. Every act of service, every silent prayer offered, flows from the same divine source. The alumni and alumnae remain ever grateful to Bhagawan for granting us the opportunity to serve and to grow together. May our humble efforts continue to reflect His boundless love, and may the bonds forged here endure as a testament to the unity He so lovingly inspires.