Valedictory Function Of Annual Sports & Cultural Meet
Monday, January 14th, 2013
After 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, in the Divine Abode in Prasanthi Nilayam, the day dons special hues with greater significance, as this is the very day when the dedicated, disciplined students of Sathya Sai Educational Institutions reap a special ‘harvest’, winning prices at the Hands Of The Lord, for their feats in the Annual Sports & Cultural Meet.
Thus the day has been a marked day over the years, as this was the day Bhagawan picked up for awarding the prizes for excellence in Sports and Cultural talents.
In a glittering function held in the Divine Omnipresence Of Beloved Bhagawan, the winners were given away the prizes by the Vice Chancellor, Prof J Sasidhara Prasad this morning in the Sai Kulwant Hall.
The programme commenced with a regal brass band procession of the University Brass Band from Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, from the Yajur Mandiram to the venue, following the set pattern during the time when Bhagawan would officiate the ceremony. Flag-bearing squad and Veda chanting group followed the procession.
Sri Sanjay Sahani, Principal, Brindavan Campus gave a brief introductory speech delving into the significance of the auspicious occasion. Sri Sahani also recollected how Bhagawan ‘hand-picked’ both the dates, 11th January and 14th January, for the Sports and Cultural Meet and Prize Distribution Ceremony. He ended his brief speech introducing the speakers for the morning function.
Dr Pallav Kumar Barua, Warden, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus was the first speaker. Speaking of the meet post Bhagawan’s physical disappearance, of 2012 and 2013, Dr Barua claimed that nothing has changed ever since and it bears a testimony that He is very much present with us.
Talking about the roles of Games and Sports in an institution that has value based eduction as its objective, Dr Barua took the audience down the memory lane to his first ever meet in 1986 wherein he learnt one of the biggest lessons. Reaching Prasanthi representing the Brindavan squad, and after being blanked out completely in all the events, sitting at the loser’s side, completely shattered, he could not pay any attention to Bagawan’s Divine Discourse, on the very same day, of valedictory function. Back in Brindavan, when he sat down to write customary letter to his home town, he had nothing to write as he missed out the biggest thing…Bhagawan’s Divine Discourse. What am i here for if not for Bhagawan and His Divine discourses…can such silly set backs in life stop us from grabbing the best, asked Dr Barua leaving the audience to reflect upon and decide…
Speaking about the evolution of Sports Meet in Prasanthi Nilayam over the years, Dr Barua identified Practice, Discipline and Concentration as the prime lessons he learnt. The evolution with the modern facilities and better standards and raised benchmarks of expectations have helped the management to evolve with skilful planning and execution.
Narrating a beautiful incident happened in the Verandah where in Bhagawan incited the Prasanthi Nilayam boys to come up with a sterling performance Dr Barua said, that Bhagawan is the most Ideal Leader Who inspires and motivates His students, leaving them free to execute it. In this mentioned context, Bhagawan had asked the Prasanthi boys as to what they were going to do, as Brindavan was going to jump from the Hanuman Hill…though there was no such show by the Brindavan that year…Bhagawan used ‘it’ to stimulate the Prasanthi boys to come with something extra-ordinary.
Ending his inspiring speech Dr Barua said, such sporting actions are happening everywhere, but what makes Prasanthi apart from the rest of the world is Faith and Love in Bhagawan…as boys do everything to bring that smile on Bhagawan’s face.
This was followed by four student speeches representing four campuses.
Ms Aishwarya Neeleshwar from the Anantapur Campus spoke first. Sports is a festival than a mere meet said Aishwarya delving into the significance of the meet in Bhagawan’s institutions. Sports Meet in Prasanthi Nilayam helps to develop Self Confidence, Patience, Perseverance and Team Spirit. Aishwarya also narrated a couple of inspiring dreams by the campus faculties and students showing His presence over there during their performance.
Sri P. Sai from the Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School spoke next sharing the lessons he learnt out of the meet. In Unity lies the strength said Sai identifying the same as the first lesson, while Determination, the next lesson learnt, takes one to success with enthusiastic participation. When one has Dedication as a prayer, for the collective success, it becomes true Surrender that brings final success.
Sri TE Sasidhar from the Brindavan Campus was the next speaker. Sports & Cultural Meet throws open opportunities galore to excel in multifarious ways and at the end of the meet comes the beautiful harvest of presentation, as Divine reward. Sports Meet is for Sai, of Sai and by Sai said the speaker ending his speech.
Sri Sri Hari from the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus was the final speaker for the session. Terming Prasanthi’s Sports Meet unique, Sri Hari said the unique distinction comes as every student participant is vying for a smile on Swami’s face as the only reward. Narrating a risky ‘daredevil’ item, risking the human frame owing to the nature of the presentation, involving a student, that required lots of stamina and perseverance, Sri Hari reflected quoting the boy “…for me it is my way of offering to Bhagawan” how much of love and dedication each participant has for Beloeved Bhagawan.
Prize distribution followed next. Divine Chancellor’s Cup were given away to all the 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.
Winner’s trophies for various houses and inter collegiate competitions were also given away by the Vice Chancellor.
Bhagawan’s Divine Discourse followed next, played on the public broadcast system. In His discourse, Bhagawan touched upon the significance of Sankranthi, exhorting the youth to lead an ideal life filled with virtues and character. It is not textual knowledge conferred through university degrees that is important, real title, unique degree is Amritasya Putraha, Son Of Immortality, that one should aspire for. True education is Unity in Diversity as proclaimed by the Bharatiya Culture said Bhagawan ending His Divine Discourse appreciating the students for their wonderful efforts during the Sports and Cultural Meet.
Bhajans followed and intermittently the University Band played a couple of tunes before resuming the bhajans that ended with Bhagawan singing in His mellifluous voice. Mangala Arathi was offered at 1100 hrs. marking the end of the session.
Prasadam was distributed to the capacity audience. In the evening senior students from Prasanthi Nilayam campus would be offering a Musical Dance Drama entitled Shankara Digvijayam on the illustrious life of Adi Shankaracharya.
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavnatu II
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