Summer Course In Indian Culture and Spirituality – 2016
Saturday, June 18th, 2016
Summer Course In Indian Culture and Spirituality for the Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions commenced yesterday (17th June) at the Poornachandra Auditorium amidst serene devotional ambeince. The Summer Course serves as an induction programme to all students and teachers of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning with an objective to expose students of the university to the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Bharat. It orients students into Bhagawan’s educational philosophy and gives them deep, first hand insights into how they can directly benefit from this unique institution.
Commencing the proceedings with invocatory Vedam Chanting, the event at the Poornachandra auditorium, Prasanthi Nilayam commenced at 8:30 a.m. with a welcome note by Prof. (Miss) MadhuKapani, Dean, Faculty of Humanities & Economics; and Director, Anantapur Campus who reminded students that Bhagawan wanted them to practice the values and principles of Bharatiya culture so they can be future leaders of tomorrow and architects who affect positive changein society.
Prof. K B R Varma, Vice-Chancellor, SSSIHL then delivered the inaugural address. He said that the exceptional opportunity that all new students have in being exposed to true Indian culture here is unparalleled. He compared the induction programme in Indian culture and spirituality at SSSIHL to be in stark contrast to other universities elsewhere. He urged students to reflect on the past glory of Bharat and prompted them to develop noble thoughts as they lead to noble character and noble deeds in life.
A brief video of Bhagawan’s Divine discourse was then broadcasted. Bhagawan exhorted that the entire world is built on social structure, that the students need to traverse the path of truth, re-establish the glorious traditions of Bharat and thus becoming messengers of peace.
This was followed by a forthright talk by an SSSIHL alumni, Sri Gopal Rao, Managing Director, Landmark Worldwide – India Operations, who stressed on the relevance of being a Sai student and the lifelong accountability that comes with it. His topic was on Self Confidence, which he described as an expression of our true nature. Just as there is no imperfect tree, there is no imperfect love and that we must nurture ourselves to be who we truly are. This is the way to build self-esteem, he said. He touched upon several life experiences in the real world and highlighted that it is possible to live with total integrity in a seemingly corrupt world. He said that the best definition of culture he got from Bhagawan was that culture is care and concern for others.
The morning session ended with a lively quiz titled A Rainbow of Sai Wisdom. Students from the university and school participated in the quiz that included seven rounds.
The evening session in Sai Kulwant Hall consisted of three speeches by students and faculty of the university. The speakers were Sarvasree G Vikaram, R Shrikanth, Sai Shyamsundar and Dr Sanjay Mahalingam, Asst Prof with Department of Management & Commerce, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus.
Speaking first Sri G Vikram narrated the morning proceedings of the inaugural session of the Summer Course at the Poornachandra Auditorium. Sri R Shrikanth deliberated on the topic “Lessons From The Ramayana”, explaining the 5 D’s often highlighted by Bhagawan, Duty, Discipline, Devotion, Discrimination and Determination, narrating relating anecodotes from the epic. Sri Sai Shyamsundar spoke on “SAI – See Always Inside”, elaborating on the inner significance and potency of SAI. Referring to the common man’s malady of imbalanced attitude, fluctuating between the extremes of happiness and sorrow, based on external situaiton the speaker asserted the need to focus on the reservoir of true happiness within. Dr Sanjay Mahalingam deliberated on the subject, “Sri Adi Shankaracharya, His Life and Ideals”. Speaking on the famous episode in Varanasi, wherein Shankara during his travels, taught the profound lesson of “Bhaja Govindam”, Dr Sanjay elaborated with clarity that when we live with our mind, it is Dukrunkaraney and when we live by our heart, is is Bhaja Govindam.
This year’s summer course’s in themed after Bhaja Govindam.
Following bhajans and prasadam distribution, the first day of the event concluded at 1830 hrs.
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
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