Glittering 89th Birthday Morning…
Sunday, November 23rd, 2014
More than a thousand ‘full moons’ ago a day dawned that was to brilliantly enhance the destiny of mankind. The glorious day saw the ‘birth’ of a Divine Babe, in a tiny hamlet of South-India, Who would be called ‘Sathya’ and Who would usher in a golden era of great moral and spiritual regeneration. The Day was 23rd November, 1926. Subsequently, after ‘formally’ launching His Avataric Mission in later years, The Unique Graciousness called Sri Sathya Sai most magnanimously granted His ‘folks’ acquiescence to celebrate The Day as ‘His Birthday’.
This was the day when The Lord would enchant His folks, out of His Cosmic Compassion, in the name of ‘His Birthday’, year after year for decades, at the same Darshan ground, in Prasanthi Nilayam. …And when Prasanthi woke up to 23rd November yet again this morning, it was golden nostalgia of ‘His Love That Conquers’ that lingered around.
In the morning, the proceedings began with a host of offerings by the grateful students of SSSIHL. Commencing with Brass Band offering, Anantapur and Prasanthi Nilayam campuses played in turns, pulsating the fresh morning with sonorous tunes of musical auspiciousness. As they sang “Happy Birthday’ wishing the Immortal One for His ‘mortal appearance’, the packed audience burst into rapturous applause. Next to come was Institute Percussion Band that played some Carnatic tunes, followed by Devotional Songs by the students.
Welcoming the Chief Guests, Trust Member and All India President Of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Sri V Srinivasan enlightened the audience with the just completed II Phase of Sri Sathya Sai Drinking Water Supply Project. The II Phase covers 128 habitations in the three Mandals of Kothacheruvu, Bukkapatanam and Puttaparthi serving over two-and-a-half lakhs of inhabitants. Dy. Chief Minister and Home Minister of Andhra Pradesh Sri N China Rajappa then inaugurated the scheme, dedicating the same to the public. Officials from L & T, who were instrumental in the successful implementation of the Water Supply Project were felicitated at the hands of the Dy. Chief Minister.
Trust Members Sarvasree K Chakravarthi and RJ Ratnakar then handed over the Water Project officially to the Govt. Of Andhra Pradesh. The Dy. Chief Minister complied with the request, accepting the offer, publicly announcing the same.
Speaking on the occasion, in Telugu, the minister hailed the Trust’s initiative supplying free drinking water to the needy. The minister also hinted upon developing Puttaparthi into a tourism-cum-pilgrim centre.
The Annual Report of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust for the year 2013-14 was then released by the Governor of Karnataka. Speaking on the occasion, Sri V Srinivasan reiterated the Trust’s emphasis on transparency of its affairs. Elucidating on various Trust initiatives, Sri Srinivasan also announced the appointment of the new Vice Chancellor at SSSIHL, Prof KBR Varma, who is substituting Prof J Sashidhara Prasad, who is laying down the office today, after successful completion of his term.
Chief Guest for the occasion, His Excellency Governor of Karnataka, Sri Vajubhai Rudrabhai Vala then addressed the audience in Hindi, delivering a witty, poetic, heart-filling and inspirational speech. Referring to the just commissioned second phase of the Water Supply Scheme, the honorable guest exhorted the audience to carry on with the task of Bhagawan’s Mission, assuring them of His immense blessings. Divulging into his personal meeting with Bhagawan some years ago, the Governor with a touch of humour narrated his interview room experience of Bhagawan’s Divinity. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba never had any kind of differentiations, whatsoever, and He served everyone alike. Reminding the audience of the ancient scriptural maxim ‘Vasudaiva Kudumbakam’, The One United Family, the Governor ended his inspiriting speech ‘sloganeering’ “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” asking the audience to repeat after him.
Bhagawan Divine Discourse followed next, played on the public address system. Mentioning about the Birthday celebrations attended by thousands upon thousands from different parts of the world, without any invitation, Bhagawan said that it is the Magnetic Power Of The Divinity that pulls the world unto Prasanthi Nilayam. Devotees wish Me with “Happy Birthday”, but I Am always Happy…said Bhagawan exhorting everyone to “Be Happy”. Bhagawan ended His Divine Discourse with the bhajan “Prema Muditha Manase Kaho…”
Even as Bhajans students representing various campuses and staffers from various institutions came forward offering “Birthday Greetings” at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet. Mangala Arathi at 1100 hrs. marked the end of the morning proceedings.
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
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