Sai Srinivas Raghavan
We keep hearing this phrase quite often in our lives as Sai Student. I strongly believe this, and I go one step further that Swami has planned finer details of what we are to be doing as part of HIS mission.
In 1996, I was in my 12th standard, and sought guidance from my uncle who performs Yagnams for the next step in life. I asked him if I should choose Engineering in IIT / Anna University, Medicine, or BSc in Swami’s college. He didn’t answer, but gave me a small silver trumpet locket. I finished my 12th and got selected in Swami’s college. I started theyear attending the Summer Course. One day during the course, my father called me to say I got a state rank in 12th and had bagged Anna University Engineering and Medical seats. He asked me what I wanted to do? I did not think twice before saying B.Sc (Maths) in Swami’s college.
A month after classes started in Prasanthi Nilayam, I was going through the corridors near the hostel dining hall. A senior asked me to pass on a water bottle to a group of teachers and seniors who were conducting a Music Aptitude Test (MAT) in a nearby room. They were just getting up after the tests. But when they saw me, they thought I was a contestant. They asked me several questions on music. My answer to most of them was “I don’t know”. However, I was a Bal Vikas student and I could sing a Sai Bhajan. At the end, they asked me of I would join Bhajan Group or Band. I told them, “I only came here to give a water bottle”. All of them were rolling down with laughter as I left the room.
After a week, I was selected for the Band group to play trumpet. I got my instrument from the Administrative block. After a few days, I realized I had lost the small silver trumpet locket that my uncle gave.I immediately called up my uncle. He said, “When you get the real one why do you need the locket? The purpose of that is over.” Life went on at Prasanthi Nilayam campus as a Band boy playing the trumpet for seven years after that (B.Sc, M.Sc, M.Tech).
However, the question of my career kept haunting me, fueled by my relatives who teased me for my career choice. But every time I remember the incident above. I didn’t choose. The choice was made by Him.
As a part of the Institute Brass Band I was taught by great masters such as Maynard Fergusson, Paul Erhard and Harry. For Swami, the Band Boys were special. We were part of all the grand functions at Parthi. From playing for the Unity Cup, and being with Him in Poornachandra Auditorium for month-long Lion Dance practice sessions and being recognized during Sankranti prize distribution day, He was with us always.
During the Unity Cup in 1997, we used to practice in Shanti Vedika grounds in the morning and evening. Swami used to be there for the flag march practice. He used to call us to the Mandir for distributing clothes, caps, socks and other accessories for the flag march. After getting them, we used to rush to grounds for practice because He will be there again. One Sunday, those who were in Mandir got apples as prasadam. We thought we missed it, because we were in the ground, practicing. Swami came to the ground. After practice, He summoned His car driver to open the trunk. It had apples. Swami told us “You thought Swami will forget you. I will never forget. I take care of you all”.
After college, I started my career in Bangalore as a software engineer. Years rolled on and I wanted to do something meaningful. One day I had a dream of a few of us playing as an alumni band in front of Swami and also touring with Him for concerts across the globe. I shared this dream with a few of my bandmates and shared my desire to start an alumni band. Other band members had similar thoughts too.
We decided to start the alumni band. The biggest challenges were instruments, a place for practice and connecting with people across geography to practice. We thought we overcame all of them through our means. In 2007, during the New Year Alumni Meet (Premabandham), Swami mentioned these very challenges reminding us that He was the one who helped us throughout.
It’s He who makes the choice, it’s He who executes. And, we are His chosen ones.
Sai Srinivasa Raghavan P B.Sc, M.Sc (Maths), M.Tech (Computer Science), 1996 to 2003, Prasanthi Nilayam. Currently Senior Manager for Verifone India based in Bengaluru. In Parthi, he was a part of the Institute Brass Band and Vedam Group.
