Puttaparthy, Sathya Sai Taluk

Concept Evolution
During various service camps in villages around Puttaparthy, alumni observed that some temples in these villages lacked even a single idol. Villagers were resigned to praying to stones and photos in makeshift altars in these places. When some villagers approached alumni for help in getting idols installed in these temples, it set the group thinking. Renovation of temples would mean villagers coming together for prayer and community bhajans – this would go a long way in promoting spiritual progress in these villages. It was something that fit very well in Swami’s mission of the revival of Sanathana Dharma. Alumni felt it best that a plan be prepared and shown to Swami for His approval. With this conclusion, alumni started the field work.

The Ground Work
Surveys led the alumni team to three temples situated within 35 km radius from Puttaparthy – Gangireddy Palli (Puttaparthy mandal), Gommiahagari Palli (Gorantla mandal) and Ovuladevara Palli (Kothacheruvu mandal). The team put together a report explaining in detail how the task of installation of idols in these temples was planned. The report was made comprehensive through photos of the sanctum sanctora that were currently bereft of idols. Swami blessed the team, and alumni took the opportunity alumni to explain each and every page of the report in full detail to Him. Swami graciously provided His approval saying “Manchidi Pettukondi”- the was the green signal the team was waiting for! Three sets of idols – the deities of Ganesha, Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman were ordered from Sri Tirumala Chari of Kurnool who had supplied these idols to Swami in 1986/87. By Swami’s grace the team was able to arrange for six brahmins from Kothacheruvu to perform the various homams and poojas at the villages for period of two days each. Based on astrological charts, muhurats were fixed for the installation at each village – Gangireddy Palli, Gommiahagari Palli, and Ovuladevara Palli. Annadanam for about 1,200 villagers was also conducted on the afternoon of the second day in each village. Alumni provided for mikes, bhajan instruments such as dholaks, khanjeeras and cymbals, vedam & bhajan cassettes and pooja related items such as aarathi plates, oil lamps etc. at each village. The team visited the villages and got the villagers together to take ownership of the temples post installation, and also asked them to clean, whitewash and decorate the temple prior to installation. Alumni also sought their participation in the various pujas and homams in their respective villages. A report of the above activities was shown to Swami, who graciously blessed the same.

The Lord’s benediction
Once the idols arrived, with Swami’s permission about 600 villagers including school children from all the 3 villages and priests came to Parthy. They sat in a special place reserved for them in the mandir. Swami took around in Kulwant hall and looked kindly at them from the dais. The villagers were ecstatic; especially as some of them were having Swami’s darshan for the first time. The following day the alumni team was sitting in the old students’ block with the Ganesha idols. At about 6 pm Swami came out in His chair! As He approached His beaming countenance gave team members the confidence to go close. In His infinite grace He blessed each idol by touching it. Then, an alumnus gave an invitation card to Swami to come to the villages and install idols with His Divine Hands. Swami patiently went through the letter and blessed the same. All were overjoyed and energized – Swami’s interest and response had given each alumnus immense strength to carry on and complete the project!

Agenda
The following was the agenda for the two days in the three villages:

First day
• Ganesha Pooja & Homam
• Panchamruta snanam followed by Vedic hymns, ending with Mahamangala Aarathi.
• Pallaki Seva & Snanam followed by various poojas
• Lullaby to the Gods, and ending with Mahamangala Aarathi.

Second Day
• Suprabhatam followed by idol installation on the platforms in Brahma Muhurta
• Prana Prathista & Homam followed by Poornahuti and finally Seeta Rama Kalyanam
• Annadanam

A celestial finale
Much time and effort went in making ready the temples for the installations – this included digging the homa kundam, building cement platforms for the idols, route planning for pallaki seva procession, lighting arrangements, and also for various other logistics including annadanam. The Lord of Parthy who had taken the onus of whole project on Himself was always with the alumni team and all arrangements were completed on time. The final ceremony proved to be a blissful experience. The villagers came in great strength with high enthusiasm and in their best clothes for the ceremonies. By the time the procession on the first day was completed, the whole village congregated near the temple. This happened consistently across all the three villages. At least 1,000 coconuts were offered by villagers every day at each of the temples! All these villagers were seeing the homams and the vedic recitations for the first time in their lives and felt energized with the heavenly vibrations. The villagers at all the three villages kept night vigil by singing & chanting God’s name. This they did with lot of devotion and dedication to show their love for Bhagawan who had given them this opportunity to have a nice temple in their village with beautiful idols. On the second day also, full participation of the villagers was noted. At least 1,000 to 1,200 villagers gathered at the temples to participate in the Pranaprathista of the idols. After that, Seetharama kalyanam was conducted with great devotional fervor & Annadanam was conducted with the whole village getting prasadam. The batch of alumni who handled the cooking related activity really worked hard to ensure tasty food was served on time to all the villagers. It was a divine experience for both the villagers and alumni. All the alumni worked with immense energy on all these days to make the program a success.

Report to Bhagawan

The Alumni submitted the report (including photos) on all the three temples to Swami at Yajur Mandir. They learnt that Swami went through the report and photos twice. Swami was very impressed with the idols and their features. Swami enquired about the idols – where they were procured from and who supplied them. This gave the alumni team immense joy and thrill. In fact, Swami’s involvement was complete right though the project. While going ahead with the proceedings at the second temple (at Gangireddy Palli), Swami enquired about the installations and wanted alumni to ensure that all the temples had proper doors to keep out stray animals. Alumni in the team at one of the villages was struck when they heard this-for, earlier some among the team had been dismayed to find street dogs sleeping in some of the temples. Obviously, the doors were made wherever they were required as per Swami’s command. This only goes to show how silently Swami was following and helping alumni in their endeavors all along.

Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Our dear Lord often reminds all, “To whom much is given from them much is expected”. Every student who passes out of the precincts of the divine university of Bhagawan stands testimony to the limitless love that He showers on His students. When the Lord gives so much of Himself to His students, how can we, His dearest, repay Him? Well, we never can.However His love inspires us to go out into the world and share it with all around. For when a honey bee tastes the nectar of His Love, it cannot hold itself from going back to its swarm and lead all to part take in the divine sweetness. On the same note, Sai alumni of Hyderabad had conceived replicable day-long retreats, aptly titled “Sai Padham”, for the youth of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisations all across Andhra Pradesh. The central objective of these unique retreats was, firstly, to motivate the youth to take up Swami’s work and engage passionately in seva. Secondly, as Swami often says, one cannot do service on an empty stomach, a special career development and opportunity module was designed for the youth. This proposal was submitted to Bhagawan for His blessings and guidance during the quarterly service camp at Puttaparthi in June 2008.

Marking the beginning of this noble endeavour, the date for the first retreat was fixed for the 3rd of August 2008. The venu for the event was the Auditorium at Abhyasa School in Toopran Village. Incidentally, the Abhyasa school is being run by an alumnus. With the logistics for the event prudently worked out, a representative group of Sai alumni approached the district president, Sai Organisations, Hyderabad, and sought his consent and guidance. Subsequently, discussions were held with the district president for Medak. Alumni met over a preparatory meeting with the district president, sevadal conveners and the youth coordinator of Medak district at Sivam, Hyderabad. The participants decided to invite 15 – 20 youth from various samithis. Given that there are eleven samithis in the Medak district, the retreat was planned for over 200 participants. Help and support in the form of man power and other support came from the office bearers of the district’s Sai organisation.

At the retreat
The retreat started with the auspicious suprabhatham at 5:00 am, followed by bhajans by alumni. Despite heavy rains, all participants registered once the event began at the scheduled time of 8:00 am. The formal inauguration was preceded by vedam chanting and bhajans in which all including school children participated. At around 10.00 am the chief guest for the day, Smt. Geetha Reddy, Hon. minister for Major Industries and Sugar arrived along with Dr. Ram Chandra Reddy garu (member, Sri Satya Sai Trust, A.P). They were joined on the dais, by Sri Ranga Rao garu, (Convener, Sri Satya Sai Trust, A.P), H.Srinivasulu garu, (District President, SSSSO, Hyderabad) and Jagannatham garu (District President, SSSSO, Medak). After a formal welcome and the lamp lighting ceremony, the participants were addressed by the Convener of Sri Sathya Sai Trust A.P., Chandra Reddy garu, followed by the chief guest. Speaking from personal experiences and richly quoting Swami, the elders exhorted the youth to lead their lives in line with Bhagwan’s precepts. The participants were more than motivated as all speakers spoke of things most close to their hearts, about Swami and His loving message to all.

Following the talks there was a beautiful group dance put up by the students of the Abhyasa School. The song chosen for this dance was aptly the popular song written by Bhagwan, “Satya Dharmamu Shanti Premalatho”. This brief and pleasant performance was followed by a presentation by an alumnus on “Employability and Personality Development Skills”. It was a very motivating and highly engaging presentation which led to an active and prolonged Q&A session. After a quick break the participants reassembled for the post lunch session. The afternoon events began with a highly energetic and interesting quiz on “Indian Culture & Spirituality” conducted by another alumnus. The session was interspersed with skits and songs by school children from Abhyasa. For the final part of the retreat, the participants were divided into groups of nine. Each participant was encouraged to share with the group, their personal viewpoints and feelings over the unique features of the Sai Organisation, and how Swami had transformed and enriched their life. Each group was led by an alumnus overseeing the smooth conduct of the proceedings. The entire session was then concisely summarised to help one and all to draw inspiration for their daily lives. Many parallels and poems written by Bhagwan were elucidated which had a tremendous emotional as well as motivational impact on all present. The retreat concluded with aarathi. The district convenors were requested to accept nominations for deserving youth from their respective centres, to schedule follow-up workshops on personality development and employable skills.

Event 2: Career advancement program
As this retreat was designed to be a recurrent and sustained effort in helping the youth; the first retreat on the 3rd of August, 2008 was followed by a second event on the 13th of September 2008 at the Sai Mandir in Gajwel in the Medak district. The alumni along with Sri Bogeswarudu garu from the employment exchange department interacted with a group of 30 to 40 youth in an effort to guide them in their respective career advancements. After involved discussion and case wise analysis, each participant was suggested a career path. Not stopping with mere directions and expert advice, the youth were also offered free training in reputed institutions for a period which ranged from 45 days to 3 months. For some of the courses even boarding was provided free of cost to the trainees. In addition, free bus passes were offered for those who came from distant towns. Once the participants complete the course, they would be offered training certificates which would eventually help them make their way into various government and private establishments. For some of the youth job recommendations were also made.

Event 3: Career Advancement Program for the Mahilas
As part of this noble endeavour inspired by Swami, alumnus conducted the third event on the 28th of October, 2008 for the Mahilas of the Medak district, with the help of the lady sevadal coordinator. The third event was attended by over 300 participants. More than 200 of them were offered free training and certificates on completion. Over 100 were offered free boarding during the training. In addition, participants from far off places were offered bus passes. Nearly 100 women were given an opportunity to undergo training in the Rajiv Diamond jewellers park for a span of 6 months with boarding and transportation provided free of cost. These participants on completion would be absorbed as employees with EPF facilities. Alumnus said they would continue to interface with the participants to provide further guidance and support as and when the participants completed their respective trainings. Each event inspires the next, adding momentum to the good work carried on. It is but Bhagwan’s invisible Hand that holds us, leading all on the right path. Alumni hope to strive harder to benefit more youth and further share and spread the love that they received from Bhagwan.

Rudraparayanam

As a part of Bhagwan’s 83rd Birthday celebrations, the alumni at Hyderabad organized on 2nd Nov ’08 a Rudraparayanam in Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Mandir, Bhartnagar, Hyderabad. The Rudram was chanted more than 83 times and its significant meaning was expounded for the benefit of all devotees. The staff, students and other members residing in the hostel under Sai Deenodharana Padhakam, including aged female members & slum dwellers participated in this Rudram chanting.

After Rudraparayanam, bhajans were sung and the programme ended with Mangalaarathi to Bhagwan at about 1 PM, followed by Narayana seva prasadam distribution.

“NENU ELLAPPUDU MEE INTA, VENTA, JANTA UNTANU”

Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

The Sri Sathya Sai alumni at Vizag have undertaken many commendable service activities over the past one year. The activities have been in the following major areas:

1. Medicare: Cataract camps, Medical camps, veterinary camps, orthopedic surgeries and cardiac procedures were performed throughout the year. Many poor people also availed operations which were completely funded by all the alumni and organization members. Many people were also motivated to donate their eyes posthumously. The villages covered were Pedamadugu, Dasavanipalem, Pedamadhupada, Jaagaram, Maradamanda, Kallepalli Villages, etc.
2. Spiritual activities: Spiritual Meets, talks by eminent speakers.
3. Social activities: Blanket distribution in villages, Distribution of notebooks, Pencils, Pens, Erasers to Municipal School students.

Activity in Maharashtra

The Sri Sathya Sai alumni in Maharashtra, over the past years have been working actively with the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization, Maharashtra. The projects & service programs undertaken span across diverse areas such as medical camps, rural care, water supply projects under the Sri Sathya Sai Village Integration Programme. The alumni has been successful in enrolling the corporates (where they work) in these service activities, owing to which this program has received more impetus resulting in a greater impact. They have been instrumental in the setting up of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Agriculture & Biotechnology which has been started to equip the rural youth through free training so that they become self-employed. In themedical field, the Sri Sathya Sai organization is doing yeoman service by giving free treatment by conducting regular medical camps (eye, dental, general) all around Maharashtra and by adopting slums in Mumbai. The Sri Sathya Sai Water Project has provided water supply to over 15 different villages, thereby benefiting over 6500 villagers from these villages. The alumni initiated & participated in this mammoth project. All these monumental activities have been clubbed under the Sri Sathya Sai Village Integration Programme (SSSVIP), which was started quite recently after Bhagwan’s specific directives.

Leicester, United Kingdom

With the loving guidance and blessings of our beloved Lord, a two-day Summer Course for Young Adults titled ‘Humanness to Godliness’ was conducted in Leicester, United Kingdom during 26th – 28th of July 2008. Alumni in UK and Europe worked closely with many young adults in conceptualising and organising this event. The main purpose of this course was to study in some depth Bhagawan’s divine teachings, understand their significance, and assimilate them in to daily living. Six sub-themes were identified- Purpose of Human Birth, Discrimination, Devotion, Faith, Body Attachment & Sense Control, and Brotherhood of Man. Each of these subthemes was addressed in two-hour sessions spread over two days. The sessions were delivered in a variety of ways- presentations, talks, debates, skits, songs, bhajans etc- with emphasis on delegate participation and interaction. Six teams comprising both alumni and young adults each studied a subtheme for about 2-3 months prior to the Summer Course. Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, the vahinis, e Summer Showers, and related formed the core literature studied by these teams. Their content was distilled into 3 or 4 ‘Key Messages’, and each session was structured to deliver these message in
a clear and practical manner. Also in preparation for this Summer Course, a monthly Sadhana Day was observed for four months since March 2008 by the delegates. The study of Bhagawan’s divine life story in ‘Sathyam Shivam Sundaram’ parts 1-3 was undertaken as sacred sadhana activity during these 4 months. Prayer letters and communication folders were humbly offered regularly by the participants at the divine feet in Prasanthi Nilayam, which Swami so lovingly accepted. Two hundred and seventy delegates attended this Summer Course. They were addressed by ardent devotees of Bhagawan such as Sri. Ajit Popat, Dr. Surendra Upadhyay, and Mrs. Popat. An alumnus from Sikkim, India and a bhajan singer from student days was visiting the UK and regaled the audience with soulful devotional songs. Many alumni from multiple campuses participated actively in the event. The great devotees of Bhagawan in Leicester and surrounding areas opened their hearts and homes with great love and helped in catering and accommodation arrangements. Due to Bhagawan’s Grace and Love alone, this event turned out to be an inspiring and enriching experience for everyone. We are eternally indebted to Him, and fervently pray for opportunities to serve Him and deserve Him.