Published on Mondahy, September 6, 2010 at 1500 Hrs. IST

An All Sathya Sai Schools’ Pilagrimage to Prasanthi Nilayam bringing over 1400 children from 79 Sathya Sai Higher Secondary Schools across India was arranged during the week, from 3rd September to 5th September 2010.  Celebrating the 'Joy of being One in the Divine Presence of Mother Sai', a special function was held on the 3rd September evening wherein selected children, representing the whole group, performed in the Divine presence.

The programme commenced with a group dance to the tune of "Sathyam Vada Dharmam Chara...Jeevan Daata" hailing Mother Sai's glory as the Supreme Lord, the bestower of life!

Dr. Ranga Rao, Trust Convener, Sri Sathya Sai Trust, Andhra Pradesh, delivering an introductory speech spoke on the mission and credentials of Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar Schools across India. Ninety One schools across India, including 79 High Schools with a student force of over 50000 are the centres of excellence imparting value based education in the lines of the teachings of Bhagawan, said Dr. Ranga Rao, detailing credentials from the academic, sports and other extra-curricular front achieved by these schools.

Grouped under a unique platform established in "Unity", these schools, under the label, Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar, were to have a common logo, common uniform for the students and a common song. The "common logo" was unveiled by the Divine hands, while the common uniform was already in place. Dr. Ranga Rao also made a mention about the "Vidya Vahini" initiative mooted by the alumni of Bhagawan's Institutions, which would be of immense benefit to the teachers in getting trained to turn into professionals in Sai mode of education.

Dr. B.G.Pitre, Director of Institute of Sri Sathya Sai Education, Mumbai presented a compendium on behalf of "All Sathya Sai Schools in India", entitled "Saplings of Love" that was released by the Divine hands.

Representing the schools, four children from four different parts of India presented short speeches on the subject, Sathyam Vada Dharmam Chara, in Hindi, Telugu, Sanskrit and English. While a boy from Rishikesh spoke in Hindi, three girls from Hyderabad, Chennai and Delhi, Swapna, Padmaja and Niti Agarwal followed in Telugu, Sanskrit and English respectively, highlighting the greater importance of the subject under discussion in present times. The whole programme was ably compered in English by one of the girl students.

"Sai Vidya Sarasa Vidya", a dance drama highlighting the importance of education imparted in Sathya Sai Schools followed. The presentation was a depiction of Deshabhakthi Vidya, Mathrubhakthi Vidya and Seva Bhakthi Vidya finally reiterating the truth that the only way to transform the world is to propagate Sai Vidya in every nook and corner of the world.

Showing the story of Prasanth who finished his research from an overseas university with flying colours, but opt to come back to India to serve the countrymen, the presentation takes a cue from Bhagawan’s teaching hailing Mother India and her glory. Repeating couple of more anecdotes wherein students from Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar do sacrificial service to Mother, Selfless Service to humanity, the drama serves a pointer towards the high standard of education imparted by Bhagawan through these schools by infusing human values in the curricula. Entire drama was intertwined with melodious songs in different tongues, depicting the glory of service to Motherland, Mother and Service as a whole to humanity.

As the presentation got off to a start, Bhagawan moved off the dais to get into the interview room. Spending almost fifteen minutes in, Bhagawan moved into the bhajan hall to emerge and come onstage at 1900 hrs. ...And the programme continued.

The forty five minute presentation was a combined effort from the Sathya Sai Schools from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. The colourful presentation concluded with a vibrant dance that ended with a reference to Prasanthi Nilayam as Kaliyuga Kalisam and Navayuga Vaikuntam where dwells Sri Sathya Sai Saraswathi, the bestower of all boons.

At the end of the presentation, Bhagawan moved down the dais, posing for photograph session with the participating children assembled devoid of all barriers. Returning onto the stage in ten minutes, Bhagawan sat for some more time, as presentations, sarees and safari pieces for children went for distribution. At 1936 hrs., Bhagawan accepted Mangala Arathi. Asking the children to assemble in the front, Bhagawan graciously permitted the children to sing one Ganesha bhajan before asking for one more Arathi at 1945 hrs.

Moving off the dais, Bhagawan glided into the ladies' side at 1950 hrs., moving towards Yajur Mandiram, retiring for the day.