June 19, 2002 (Wednesday)
Swami had built a new home for the aged. In that context…
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| Swami in the Prasanthi Nilayam Mandir portico |
Swami : (To Prof. Anil Kumar) What is the name of the Prime Minister?
Prof. A. K. : Vajpayee, Swami.
Swami : Yes Kalam and Vajpayee have written long letters. Kalam has written that he seeks Swami’s blessings. He says that Swami should give him the strength to discharge his duties as he is about to take up a very responsible post. Both Vajpayee and Kalam want to come for Swami’s Darshan. I told them that I will call them for the Convocation function. (Swami called a senior devotee by name) Ashwath Narayana!
(To Prof. Anil Kumar) They have constructed a Vriddhashramam (home for the aged). What is it called in English?
Prof. A. K. : Home for the aged, Swami.
Swami : Yes, they have completed the construction. (To the devotee) What is the name of the Ashram?
Devotee : Swami, we are planning to call it ‘Sarva Deva Samsthaanam’.
Swami : No. That name is not good.
Devotee : The complex spans 60 acres. There are separate quarters for ladies and gents. Also many facilities have been provided like library, etc.
Prof. A. K. : Many old age homes have been constructed but few provide library, tennis court, etc. It has come up very fast too.
Swami : Yes, it is the best and has been constructed very fast. Such facilities are good for the health as well as the heart.
(To the Vice-Chancellor, Sri S.V. Giri) What was the name I was telling you?
V. C. : Swami, ‘Sri Sathya Sai Deenajanoddhaarana’.
Swami : Yes that is a very good name. It should be something like that.
Devotee : Swami, how about the name ‘Sri Sathya Sai Sarvajanoddharana’.
Swami : Yes, that is also a very good name. Is the home near the bus stand? If not, it will be difficult for the inmates to travel. It should be near the main road. (Looking at a student) How are you Sardarji?
Student : Fine, Swami.
Swami : What is your full name?
Student : Jaipreet Singh Bhandari, Swami.
Swami : When is your father coming? Ask him to come. There is no tension anymore with Pakistan. No war. (The student’s father was serving in the Indian Army.) (Swami took letters from a few boys.)
(To student) What are you doing?
Student : 1st year M.F.M., Swami.
Swami : (Swami asks another boy to give his letter. The boy limps to Swami.)
What happened? Numbness?
Student : Yes, Swami.
Swami : Sit down. (To another student) How many boys in M.B.A.?
Student : 33, Swami.
Swami : How many in M.F.M.?
Student : 14, Swami.
Swami : How many in M.Tech.?
Student : 10, Swami.
Student : Swami, M.E.S.
Swami : What is that?
Prof. A. K. : Swami, he is telling the names of his subjects. Maths, Economics and Statistics. (Swami pats the boy’s cheek.)
Swami : (Looking at all the boys) Who cannot afford Hostel fees among you? (There was no response from the boys) Poor boys are feeling shy to tell. We should ask them privately. (Calls a student who was holding a collection of letters. Swami sees the first letter.) Who is Kailasam? (The boy comes. His name was Prakash Kailasam). Kailasam? (The boy was sitting a little away. Swami smiled and said softly) Kailasam must have gone to Vaikuntham!
Student : Yes, Swami. I am Kailasam.
Swami pats his cheek and walks back to the interview room. After sometime, Swami returns. The senior devotee shows Swami the plan.
Swami : What is the route to the Ashram? It seems to be going round. There seems to be no link.
Devotee : (Showing Swami) Swami, this is the route.
Swami : Sarvajanoddharana Samsthanam. Very good name.
Swami asks for letters from all the boys. All come and give their letters.
Swami : Where are you from?
Student : Swami, Bangalore.
Swami : (To another student) Where are you from?
Student : Bombay, Swami.
Swami : (To another student) Where are you from?
Student : Hyderabad, Swami.
Swami : Where is the Darjeeling boy? Since he passed out, he seems to be sitting elsewhere. (The boy came and Swami asked him to speak. After he finished speaking) When are you going?
Student : I don’t want to go, Swami.
Swami : Which subject did you study?
Student : M.B.A., Swami.
Swami : What were you doing before joining here?
Student : I was working, Swami.
Swami : Working? How much salary?
Student : Swami, Rs. 10,000.
Swami : Chhod Diya? (Did you leave?) How many years did you work?
Student : Three years, Swami.
Swami : (Looking at his ring) Marriage ring?
Student : No, Swami.
Swami : Baat Karo (Give a talk).
The student gave brief talk. Swami asks him to remove his ring which Swami had given earlier and showed it to everyone.
Swami : What colour?
Teacher : Green, Swami.
Swami : What is the meaning of green?
Students : Peace and prosperity.
Swami then blew on the ring thrice and it changed into a diamond ring. Swami then gave it to the student.
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| Swami blowing on the ring to transform it |
Swami : Good boy. Ask father to come. He should know that I have changed the ring. (Looking at the student who spoke earlier) What are you thinking? The President to be, Abdul Kalam is of the same height as you.
Prof. A. K. : Swami, he also gave a lecture in our Institute Auditorium.
(Dr. Kalam had visited Swami’s Institute in the previous year and had interacted with the students. He had also visited the Physics Labs and interacted with the faculty and researchers about the ongoing projects.)
Swami : What is his full name?
Prof. A. K. : A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
Swami : (After a few moments) Boys sing a song.
All the students sang the song ‘We Love You Sai...’ Swami got up after the song, blessed the birthday boys, and went inside the interview room.
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