Posted at 12:04:05 Hrs. IST on Feb 02, 2010

After the hectic saga of Sports and Cultural Meet, students were back into serious academics as mid-semester exams were due. As this mid-semester wields greater impact on the final result and grades obtained, attention has to be focal. The folks were up to it ensuring that they were not leaving any stone unturned in their attempt to bring yet another smile on Divine Mother’s beatific face. …And the hostels in Prasanthi Nilayam still had the glitter ‘n’ grandeur with light sprayed colours under the dark, aftermath of the hostel day and sporting extravaganza.

With a week passing away without any special activity, the 26th evening, the National Republic Day of India had the higher secondary boys putting up a drama entitled “Sai – The Saviour”, a presentation calling for religious harmony that help redeeming the world from any impending disaster.

Set up in the backdrop of a religious conference attended by an ensemble of religious masters representing various religions, the drama had pointers from various religious heads hailing their respective religion to be the lone solution for the world facing impending disaster. Adding climax to the conferential deliberations, a group of four alumna of Sri Sathya Sai University holding esteemed positions in the society came into the scene deliberating on the presence of a great master driving home the point that Bhagawan alone is the savior for a world that was caught in the mire of confusion.

Close on the heels of the 61st Republic Day of India, Prasanthi Nilayam witnessed the patriotic resurgence of the nation through a drama presentation in telugu entitled, “Namaami Bharathiyam”.  Saluting the Indian Spirit, the drama staged by the Sai Youth of Hyderabad was a presentation aimed at addressing key issues associated with the Youth of the day haunting our nation blocking her future in state of indecisiveness.

The drama that was set in the backdrop of a conversation between a grandfather and two teenaged military officers took its route through flashback scenes depicting the vanity behind delusive job opportunities abroad leaving the motherland, the quit India agitation wherein the British had to face the wrath of determined Indian Youth, to the final scene wherein the ever exuberant Sai Youth bringing in revolution in the society at large through selfless dedicated service. 

Over 1100 Youth from various professional institutions have been brought for the first time to Prasanthi Nilayam as part of a Youth Convention organized by the Sai Youth of Hyderabad under the auspices of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Hyderabad. This Youth convention was the fructification of six-month-long activities based in and around Hyderabad, meeting, educating, motivating and bringing greater awareness.

The Drama also highlighted a unique service opportunity initiated by the Hyderabad Youth, “Sri Sathya Sai Re-Programming Lives” Project. The project helps hundreds and thousands of unemployed youth to get trained in soft skills to get better job opportunities in the corporate world.

Vice Chancellor’s from eight reputed Universities from Andhra Pradesh were brought to Prasanthi Nilayam as a part of the pilgrimage. The Vice Chancellors attended were, Prof. Tirupathi Rao of Osmania University, Prof. DN Reddy of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Prof. Linga Murthy of Kakatiya University, Warangal, Prof. Bhoomiah of Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, Prof. Kusuma Kumari (formerly faculty at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus for eleven years) of Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, Prof. D. Ramanaiah of Dravidian University, Kuppam, Prof. G. Sarojamma  of Sri Padmavathi Mahila Viswavidyalaya, Tirupathi, who is incidentally an alumnus from Anantapur Campus belonging to the first batch of 1969-74 and Dr. A. Ramachandra Reddy of Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa. Over twenty senior administrators from various educational institutions were also invited to attend the Educationists’ Conclave held on the 30th and 31st of January.

The Conclave held in the Poornachandra Auditorium had Prof. Anil Kumar giving a scintillating speech in Telugu followed by two Youth Speakers from Hyderabad Youth sharing the effort behind the entire saga and the Reprogramming Lives Project finally to conclude with a Divine Discourse that lasted for ninety minutes.

The group had their final session on the 31st evening with an offering entitled “Sri Sathya Sai Sangeeta Vibhavari”, a musical bouquet of eight songs followed by a stint of bhajans.

Sai Manonmani Nurses’ Residential Complex that was inaugurated in 2004 got its second phase done and inaugurated by the Divine Hands on the 30th evening. The complex built adjacent to the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences is aimed at housing nurses and technicians working with the hospital. This 3-storeyd building, a loving offering by the Singapore based devotee and Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. VK Pillay and family, has 48 quarters to house the serving hands in the hospital.

All are children in the eyes of God but some are more special than others. On the evening of 31st Jan, when the Hyderabad Youth were sitting in full strength with a loving music programme in their agenda and when all eyes were on the stage awaiting Bhagawan's arrival, Bhagawan took a detour and went to attend a special lot. A small group of mentally and physically challenged children were sitting in orderly lines seeking Bhagawan's blessings.

These were the children from Gujarat Research Society, an NGO based in Khar West, Mumbai, aimed at treating children having psychological and physiological problems. Twenty Two children accompanied by some parents and other aids came over to Prasanthi Nilayam to have Bhagawan’s darshan and blessings.

Where He wills there is a definite way. When Bhagawan wanted these children to sing. It was obvious that these physically and psychologically challenged children would find it difficult to do it without proper practice. Yet their Love for Bhagawan has given them the determination to achieve what many of us normally take for granted. What followed was even more spectacular! Both the groups of children (boys and girls) gave wonderful dance performance with perfectly synchronised steps. Greatly pleased with their devotion, Bhagawan posed for pictures with the children and distributed gifts to them.

Construction work of dormitories is in progress at the rear west end of Prasanthi Nilayam. The area is partially cordoned off for public movement and one could see huge EOT crane installed with road rollers and tractors making moves up and down… Even as more old sheds are being demolished, leveling the ground for the new ones to come up, basement level work is marking steady progress at the rear western end of Prasanthi.  The road between the dormitory sheds is partially cordoned off for public move as the area is becoming dustier with the work getting greater momentum.

Dignitaries spotted during the fortnight were the VHP veteran, Ashok Singhal, Singer-Musician duo, Kavita Subramaniam and family, etc.

Apart from the Hyderabad Youth organised Youth Pilgrimage, there were many other floating groups in Prasanthi during the fortnight including a huge contingent of devotees from West Godavari.

Rose Beneficiaries for the fortnight were Prof. Sudhir Bhaskar, Prof. Kumar Bhaskar, Prof. S. Krupanidhi , Prof. Chelli Janardhana , Dr. R. Gangadhara Shastry, Dr. C L N Moorty , Dr. K. S. Sridharan, Dr. G. Bhalachandran, Dr. K. L. N. Reddy, Mr. Sairam Subramaniam, Mr. Tata Rao, Mr. Pai, and Mr. Radhakrishna.