Sri Sathya Sai Educational Mission @ 50
Saturday, July 21st, 2018
Today, on 21st July 2018, a beautiful day was dawned here in Prasanthi Nilayam that was loaded with ample reminiscences filled with Love n’ Gratitude. The day marked the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai’s Educational Mission that had its epochal beginning precisely on 22nd July 1968, 50 years ago. …And the beginning of this epochal mission was marked by the inception of the first of the four campuses of SSSIHL, the Anantapur Campus For Women. Marking the momentous occasion, thousands of women alumni along with the current batch of students at the campus have assembled at the Sanctum Sanctorum in Prasanthi Nilayam this morning presenting a session full of love and gratitude for Beloved Mother Sai.
The session commenced at 0800 hrs. with regular Rudram chanting alongside a procession comprising of Poornakumbham, Vedam, batch-wise symbolic representation of fifty years of existence followed by the Anantapur Brass Band. A dedication song ‘SaiRam Teri Sharan Mein Aaye Hey Hum…’ set the further proceedings on followed by the Anantapur Brass band offering three scintillating pieces.
Director at the Anantapur Campus, Prof Rajeshwari Patel in her welcome address hailed the unique beginning in 1968 that has become the magnificent edifice that is SSSIHL now. Commenting on the societal impact of the mission having a chain reaction touching and transforming many lives, Dr Rajeshwari expressed hope that Bhagawan’s students will turn to become men and women of sterling character whom Bhagawan can use to transform the world at large.
A coffee table book ‘Sai Sannidhi’ done by an alumna, Ms Soundarya Preeta, Sr. Asst. Editor and Chief Of Bureau, The Hindu, Coimbatore was then released jointly by the Vice Chancellor Prof KBR Varma and Sri GSRCV Prasada Rao, Member Secretary, SSSCT. The book is a pictorial representation of the ’50 Year-long’ Bond Of Love between Mother Sai and His students at the Anantapur Campus.
The Chief Guest for the session was Ms Rozario G Ashiatto from the Philippines. Narrating her first visit to Bhagawan in 1999 that resulted in a complete personal transformation into a better individual and a better Christian, Ms Rozario then shared a beautiful dream experience of Bhagawan that paved the way for the implementation of ISSE in Philippines. Speaking on the unique features of Sathya Sai Education, Ms Rozario, in conclusion, spoke of her special recipe for experiencing Bhagawan that being her 4S’s… S for S-A-I, S for Simplicity, S for Seva and S for Share. Ms Rozario is an educationist with 50 years of experience, currently Chairing the Board Of Sathya Sai School, Pililla, Philippines.
Two of the alumni then shared the dais speaking of their invaluable learning at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet. Speaking first Ms Sarika Pradhan of 1998 batch certified that the years they spent in the Hallowed Presence has been the best learning experience of their lives. We have not just earned degrees, but life skills and practical lessons in dealing with multifarious issues. Narrating how they learnt the art of finding Bhagawan in their hearts by dedicating every single act unto Him, the speaker also highlighted on the huge service opportunity available in the government sector. We are still a work-in-progress, pleaded the speaker praying to Bhagawan to guide them on. Ms Sumana Pradhan is a Civil Servant belonging to the Sikkim Cadre, currently serving as Addl. Secy, Govt. Of Sikkim, Rural Management and Development Department.
The final speaker for the session, Ms Sumana Murali spoke of the Guru Dakshina that students owe to Bhagawan after learning the art of living and art of being at His Lotus Feet. Narrating a beautiful incident with Bhagawan, wherein Bhagawan once sought Guru Dakshina from her ‘batch’ of students, Ms Sumana said that the day one feels him/herself as a reflection of Swami, that is the day one should be paying the real Guru Dakshina. Being Ambassadors or Messengers Of Sai and Being Aware That Sai Is With Us Always are the real Guru Daskshinas one could offer to Swami, reflected the speaker narrating a beautiful personal experience in the US, wherein Bhagawan proved that God’s Grace Is Like Insurance and It Will Be Given At The Time Of Need. Ms Sumana is an elementary school teacher from New Jersey, who is also active with Sri Sathya Sai Education.
Serenading the Love That Conquers, the grateful alumni then burst into three beautiful musical offerings.
Bhajans next ended with Mangala Arathi to Bhagawan.
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
Posted in Prasanthi News |
