Shyam Ganesh
2005 Prasanthi Nilayam
‘Connecting the Dots’ That was the theme of the Stanford commencement address by the late Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple Computers. He spoke mainly about looking back and reflecting on some of the milestone events that had a profound impact on how your life has shaped up.
Today when I look back, I see that the single event that had changed the course of my life was getting admitted to the MBA programme at Prasanthi Nilayam. That was when Sai (in this physical form) entered my life.
I had completed a B.Com degree in Kochi and had got a job opportunity at a leading financial institution. As my father just retired from service, this presented me with an opportunity to be the earning member of the family. I gladly took up the offer. I also intended to continue academics. However, as it turned out, the pressure of the job was so much that I had to abandon my plans and this got my parents worried that my academic life had come to a full stop. That was when my parents came to know of the MBA course at Prasanthi Nilayam and they took the initiative to forward my application and encouraged me to appear for the selection in May 2003 though I had absolutely no preparations whatsoever. To me it was more of a welcome break from my hectic job and an opportunity to see Prasanthi Nilayam as I had no confidence that I would clear the selections. However, the moment I set foot on Puttaparthi soil, and came to hear about the place and the institute, I suddenly had a yearning to study at Prasanthi Nilayam and a voice deep inside me kept telling me that I was destined to be here for two years…
Life was never the same again. I finished my MBA (Finance) in 2005. It is not just the post-graduation degree that I had, but I had also learnt a lot about selfless love and service and about how the Love for God had made the difference in the lives of millions.
Since then there has been no looking back for me. I have been able to take confident strides in life as I have the belief that Sai is always there to hold my hand and guide me in all my endeavours. It had also been my desire to settle down in Bangalore as the city had appealed to me and due to its proximity to Puttaparthi. And though I never made any conscious attempt to get a job in Bangalore, my prayer had already been heard and a good job at a leading MNC just came calling on my doorsteps. And within a few months of coming to Bangalore, I was able to purchase a beautiful house (something we could not even dream of earlier) and have my parents stay with me.
Today, if I am well settled in life, with a family, it has all been due to the Lord’s grace. Life may appear a random pattern of events; however, once we surrender to His will – He connects the dots and shapes our destiny.