Glittering Valedictory Function Of Annual Sports & Cultural Meet…

Today marks the day of sporting honours for Sai students. This morning, on the auspicious occasion of Makara Sankranthi, the Sanctum Sanctorum at Prasanthi Nilayam, Sai Kulwant Hall turned effulgent, reflecting the celebratory mood of the twin occasion, the valedictory function of the Annual Sports and Cultural Meet coinciding with the auspicious Makara Sankranthi.  Makara Sankranthi signifies Sun’s northward journey, marking a new beginning.

The morning proceedings began with a regal procession led by the Brass Band from Prasanthi Nilayam, from Yajur Mandiram to the venue in Sai Kulwant Hall. Flag Bearing Squad of the Institute and Vedam group followed the procession.

The venue was bedecked with colourful floral buntings and a special dais with a special Seat for The Divine Chancellor was erected in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum, with trophies and cups bedecking either side.

Master Of Ceremonies – Sri Sanjay Sahni, Controller of Examinations at SSSIHL, commenced the proceedings with greetings on the auspicious festive occasion. Referring to the auspiciousness of the occasion with puranic connotations, spanning from the sacred shrine of Sabari Mala of Kerala to Pongal of Tamil Nadu to the rest of the country, Sri Sanjay Sahni briefly touched upon the uniqueness of the Sports Meet in Prasanthi Nilayam before introducing the speakers for the morning.

Speaking first, the main speaker Prof Shiva Shankar Sai, Dean at the Dept of Physics shared with the august assembly some of the invaluable lessons he learnt from the Sports Meet over the years in His immediate Divine Presence.

We must create opportunities to bring forth the latent talent in each and every student – recalled Shiva Shankar Sai sharing with the audience the Divine tips that he personally received from Bhagawan.

Talent is not gift of God, it is God HimSelf… and Bhagawan wants this talent to come out, said Shiva Shankar Sai recalling an incident during the Unity Cup Cricket Match wherein Bhagawan corrected the former West Indies Cricket Captain Clive Lloyd with the above mentioned ‘corrected’ phrase.

It is our duty to channelize students’ talents in proper directions to allow them to grow. Meticulous advance planning, special attention in selecting programmes with grandeur and a touch of adventure should be ensured while being responsible for students’ safety, quoted the speaker.

What happens to you, your bruises is not important, what happens in you is important, shared the Professor quoting Bhagawan, while narrating a beautiful ‘toughening’ experience of a student with Bhagawan during one of the erstwhile Sports Meets in Prasanthi Nilayam.

Ms Sheenam Bajaj from the Anantapur Campus in her speech next touched upon the continuous learning experiences the Sports Meet brought to the students. The most important learning experience was the unity factor that would definitely bring a smile in His beautiful face. Sports Meet is an important spiritual march, like a lion’s march in the forest, masterful, fearless and victorious.

The next speaker, Sri D Sai Nandan of the Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Prasanthi Nilayam spoke of the messages and experiences that the students learned during the Meet. ‘No wonder the Wizards of Wonder left us wonder-struck during the Sports Meet’ said a grateful Sai Nandan, conferring  an apt tribute for the Supreme Master Who pulls the wire from the backstage, acting through each one of His students.

Ajay Valsaraj from the Muddenahalli Campus, speaking on the occasion touched upon ‘His Touch Of Grace’ that untied a confused mind, clearing it,  helping him to take part in his favourite motor-bike event with complete contentment, not before enacting dramas within the drama, having invaluable learning lessons.

The Annual Sports and Cultural Meet is a treasure chest for all Sai students, said Sri Manda Mahadev from the Brindavan Campus speaking next, adding  that the  students are ready to embrace the challenge, even to perform in short period of time. Faith and devotion is the vital cord for success, concluded the young speaker bearing his heart full of gratitude.

The final speaker Sri Sai Ganesh from the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus reflected upon Him… being the complete Doer of the entire Meet that makes each of His students a mere spectator on the Sports Meet Day. We need to be available for Him, so that our lives turn enriched, concluded Sai Ganesh in a grateful tone.

Next, Founder Chancellor’s Cups were presented to the participating Institutions. Representatives from Sri Sathya Sai Primary School, Easwaramma English Medium High School, Anantapur Campus, Nursing College – Whitefield, SSS Higher Secondary School, Mirpuri College of Music, Muddenahalli Campus, Brindavan Campus and Prasanthi Nilayam Campus received trophies from Sri K. Chakravarthi, Managing Trustee, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust followed by the Vice Chancellor and other Trust members.

Continuing with the proceedings lists of winners were offered at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet. Subsequently, Championship Trophies were distributed to various representatives, under various categories, for all the four Campuses and Higher Secondary School, where intra-campus competitions on various disciplines were held.

Bhagawan’s Divine discourse followed next, aired on the public address system.

Brass Band from Anantapur Campus played a couple of tunes before bhajans. Mangala Arathi at 1100 hrs marked the end of the morning proceedings.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II