Sports Meet – Day 1
Tuesday, January 11th, 2011
Annual Sports and Cultural Meet 2011 of SSSIHL and Sri Sathya Sai Institutions got underway this evening at Sri Sathya Sai Vidyagiri Hill View Stadium in the immediate presence of the Divine Chancellor. Deviating from the existing practice of single day programme, this year’s meet is conducted in the evenings alone, spreading over two days, 11th and 12th January.
At the venue, in the evening, after month-long hectic training schedules and preparations, students from all the campuses along with staff members were ready and upbeat, welcoming the Divine Chancellor.
Bhagawan, clad in white, was ushered into the the stadium at the stroke of 1700 hrs.; The Divine Chancellor was escorted by a host of procession led by the Institute Band. A column of motorcyclists, Anantapur Band and flag bearers representing various houses followed the Institute Band from Prasanthi Nilayam escorting the Chancellor.
At the Shanti Vedika Bhagawan was received by the Vice Chancellor and representatives from all the three campuses and other educational institutions. Upon ascending the dais, Bhagawan lit the lamp officially inaugurating the meet.
Even as He assumed His seat on the dais flanked by a host of dignitaries, student representatives from various campuses along with other institutions made a beeline unto Bhagawan greeting Him on the occasion.
March-Past followed as various contingents of the three campuses and other educational institutions marched sprightly to the tune of the Institute Brass Band. This year, two more institutions, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, SSSIHMS, Whitefield and Smt. Easwaramma English Medium School, Prasanthi Nilayam are also participating in the meet.
The march-past was followed by the hoisting of the Institute Flag. This was followed by administering the oath of fair participation by the Institute Captain. As Bhagawan lit the Games Torch, a special squad of athletes carried the same in turns, rounding the stadium moving up to the urn at the Hanuman Hill. Simultaneously, the mascot for the year’s meet, Multi Coloured Tropical Parrot, moved up in the rope, finally lighting the urn atop the Hanuman hill. Symbolising Peace and Unity, Bhagawan set free a set of three white doves and balloons went flying in the air marking the rejoice on the occasion.
This evening was reserved for Anantapur and Brindavan Campuses to perform. Anantpur Campus presented a twenty minute programme titled “Aim High Soar High”. Beginning with daredevilry on Motor Bikes, they had interesting formations coupled with exercises on the poles at heights delighting the audience. A short presentation by the students of College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, SSSIHMS, Whitefield, Bangalore followed. The nursing students presented a thematic dance programme entitled HEALING, depicting the art of healing.
The final presentation was by the Brindavan Campus. Beginning with the melodies of nascent Brindavan Band, students from the campus had dragon dance, chinese martial arts, drum music, colourful dance cum floor exercises with the theme “Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu…” to end up with a delectable display of aerial gymnastics with the theme WE LOVE SAI.
Mangala Arathi was offered at 1845 hrs. and Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram just after 1900 hrs.
Dignitaries present during the occasion included Dr. (Mrs.) J. Geeta Reedy, Minister for Commerce, Andhra Pradesh, Palley Raghunatha Reddy, MLA, Puttaparthi, Ms. Charu Sinha, IPS, DIG, Anantapur etc.
Tomorrow’s concluding session of the meet will have the tiny tots from Primary School and Easwaramma English Medium School taking their slots before seniors along with higher secondary children from Prasanthi Nilayam Campus ringing the curtain down.
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