Prize distribution ceremony held…

After a long season of hard work and toil when the auspicious Makara Sankranthi arrives… it is time for reaping the harvest. Akin to this festive pattern the day dons special hues with greater significance in Prasanthi Nilayam as this is the very day earmarked for the student fraternity to reap a special ‘harvest’, winning prizes at the Hands Of The Lord.

The Prize Distribution Ceremony to the winners of Annual Sports & Cultural Meet was held here in Prasanthi Nilayam today. In a glittering ‘valedictory’ function held in Sai Kulwant Hall, Vice Chancellor Prof K.B.R. Varma gave away the prizes to the winners this morning in the immediate Divine omnipresence of Beloved Bhagawan.

The programme commenced with a regal brass band procession of the University Brass Band from Prasanthi Nilayam campus, arriving from the Yajur Mandiram, accompanied by the Flag-bearing and Veda-chanting squads.

Starting the proceedings Sri Sanjay Sahni, Director, Brindavan Campus of SSSIHL delivered an introductory speech highlighting on the significance of Makara Sankranthi and the importance of Annual Sports & Cultural Meet. Briefing on the significance of the theme of the Meet, White & Orange – The Eternal Bond Of Love, Sri Sahni then introduced the student speakers for the session, representing various campuses. The speakers were: Kum Lavanya Rathi, Master Sai Viswanath, Sri B.B. Manikanta, Sri Adarsh Kumar Dora, Sri Adarsh Saraf representing Anantapur, Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Muddenahalli, Brindavan and Prasanthi Nilayam campuses.

The tone and tenor of the speeches reflected Bhagawan’s all-out Presence and Influence, as The Guiding Force, in the run up to the Meet.

Addressing first Kum Lavanya of III BSc., Physics (Hons) reflected on the greater boon of Sports Meet, explaining the four fundamental premises, Self-Confidence, Self-Satisfaction, Self-Sacrifice and Self-Realisation. With team work, instilled with Self-Confidence and ability to deal with oddities, the Sports Meet in Prasanthi Nilayam brings greater lessons for life said the student speaker, explaining how Bhagawan was (is) the constant Motivator and ‘Life-Force’ for the students, through His ‘dream’ guidance.

Master Sai Viswanath from Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School spoke next, calling it a great occasion to offer Love and Gratitude for Beloved Mother Sai. Narrating the ‘plight ‘ of a student who underwent ‘trials’ before getting qualified for a Motorbike event, Sai Viswanath echoed the greater feeling within the fraternity that Swami Is Watching Over All The Time…

The next speaker Sri B.B. Manikanta of III BBM, spoke about the unique ‘system and structure’ of Sathya Sai Education that provides balanced developments for the blossoming student fraternity.

Sri Adarsh Kumar Dora of III B Com (Hons) of the Brindavan Campus spoke next sharing a couple of valuable ‘Lessons’ and ‘Insight’ learnt out of the Sports Meet.

The final speaker, Sri Adarsh Saraf of Final MSc, Maths, elucidated on the four phases of the Sports Meet and of Life in general… Incredulity, Perseverance, Surrender and Detachment.

Prize distribution followed next. Sri K Chakravarthi, Managing Trustee, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust gave away the Divine Chancellor’s Cups for the winning institutions, Sri Sathya Sai Primary School, Smt Easwaramma English Medium High School, Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, College Of Nursing, SSSIHMS, Whitefield, Sathya Sai Mirpuri College Of Music, followed by the four campuses, Muddenahalli, Anantapur, Brindavan and Prasanthi Nilayam.

Prize distribution to the winners of various inter-collegiate competitions held followed next.Member Trustee, SSSCT,  Sri RJ Ratnakar and Prof K.B.R Varma, Vice Chancellor, SSSIHL gave away the trophies to the winners from Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School and SSSIHL respectively.

Bhagawan’s Divine discourse followed next, played on the public address system. In His discourse, Bhagawan touched upon the significance of Sankranthi, exhorting the students to lead an ideal life filled with virtues and character. Make effort to get the best out of the opportunity that you have received exhorted Bhagawan concluding  His Divine discourse with the bhajan “Prema Muditha Manase Kaho…”

Bhajans followed with an interlude of Brass Band offering.  Mangala Arathi at 10:15 marked the end of the proceedings.