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| Sri Sathya Sai addressing the gathering in Sai Kulwant Hall at Prasanthi Nilayam |
Saturday, October 11, 1997
On this day, a function was held in Sai Kulwant Hall at Prashanti Nilayam, wherein Bhagavan transferred the stupendous drinking water project of Anantapur to the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Sri Chandrababu Naidu who presided over the function, thanked Bhagavan and the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust for their unique gift, which is a model for the whole country in meeting a vital need of the people. Justice Bhagwati, Member of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, handed over a project completion report to the Chief Minister as a symbolic transfer of the water project to the Andhra Pradesh Government for future maintenance. Sri K. Chakravarthy, Secretary of the Trust gave a complete report of the project. The Union Minister for Rural Areas and Employment, the Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Sri Kondala Rao, Technical Consultant to the Government of Andhra Pradesh for this Project and Sri A. Ramakrishna, Deputy Managing Director of Larsen and Toubro, spoke about the Project. Bhagavan in His Discourse declared about His determination to do everything in His power to promote the welfare of the people. He advised the ministers to carry on the good work they wished to do for the people without caring for the adverse criticism. Excerpts from His Divine Discourse:
“Embodiment of Love!
Today the Yajna, which began on the 5th, has come to a close. It is Vijaya Dashami day. It is an auspicious sign that the drinking water project is being transferred on this day to the Andhra government and the Chief Minister has accepted the responsibility for the proper maintenance of the project. There are many more similar welfare schemes which have to be carried out for the good of the people. My entire being, from head to toe, is dedicated to the service of the people. I wish to do many things for the good of the people. I do not wish to talk about them. Action must speak for itself. The Speaker mentioned that the drinking water problem was acute in his district also. Unlike some other districts, the Kolar district has no rivers.
Everyone should resolve to see that he contributes his might to the solution of such problems. Everyone should realise his obligations to society because of what all that he owes to society Wherever necessary people should come together to solve their problems by their own cooperative action. There are many young people who are idling away their time at homes. Their energies should be mobilised for constructive welfare work. The Chief Minister referred to the scheme of Shramdaan (gift of labour). Everyone in the village should be involved in such Shramdaan to construct village toads without waiting for help from others. This kind of voluntary co-operative activity should be undertaken to meet as many of the villagers needs as possible. The help of others can be sought when necessary.
I am prepared to help anyone from any village, any state or any community. I do not cherish differences of any kind. Whether you believe it or not, I may assure you that I respect only one caste, the caste of humanity, only one religion, the religion of Love and only one language, the language of the heart. I shall never say "No" to anybody who seeks My help, whatever his caste, region or creed may be. A good many devotees are gathered here. I am prepared even to part with Prasanthi Nilayam to meet your requests. I am prepared to do anything for the good of the people. That is My only concern. I am working only to make the people worthy of the Lord's grace. Few persons recognise this fact. Even those who have been coming to Me for years do not recognise this truth. It is difficult to comprehend the truth about the ways of the Divine. All of you should attend to your duties with faith in the Divine. All will be well with you. You can accomplish everything with case. This is the path pursued by our ancients. In those days there were no parties and warring factions. All acted with one mind. That was the message of the Vedas. “Let us work together, enjoy together and love one another and share our joy with all” – this was the glorious message of the Rig Veda. Men based their lives on the injunctions of the Vedas. Today when these injunctions are not respected, how can human life be sacred?
No one need be afraid of what others say or think as long as one is doing the right thing according to his conscience. Courage should go along with good action. If your heart is good, no harm can come to you. Apart from the Anantapur district, I am hoping to meet the needs of some other districts. In this context I wish to assure you of one thing. Whether in Bharat or in any other country there will be no lack of resources for carrying out welfare schemes. Resources are available in plenty. Only the impulse to undertake such schemes is not present. When that impulse is there, anything can be achieved. If people can go to the moon, cannot they make the journey to their hearts? When I took up the drinking water project, our Trust members told me, “Swami! There are not enough funds in the Trust. How are we to embark on this gigantic project? “I assured them.” That is My concern. I shall see that this good project is completed.” That has been accomplished without any impediments. Much remains to be done in Bharat. As the Speaker of the Karnataka Assembly said, water is a primary need all over the country. Pure drinking water should be made available to the entire people. That is My resolve.
From My earliest years I have been concerned about providing three primary requisites for our people: Free education, free medical aid and free basic amenities like drinking water Education is for the head. Medical care is for the heart and pure water for the body. These three cover the main requirements of life. To provide these three gives the greatest gratification. Try to provide free education wherever you can. Provide free medicines and treatment for the poor. Co-operate among yourselves, as far as possible to provide drinking water. In Raayalaseema people suffer from the iii effects of fluorosis. Please see that at least the future generation is saved from these ailments. I bless you all and assure you of My grace in all your beneficent activities. I desire that all the authorities concerned should act in concert to carry out welfare programmes.
The Chief Minister, who had been yearning to come here for a long time, is fortunate in being present here on this auspicious and memorable occasion. I am confident that he will carry out his programme well. I am happy that he has accepted the responsibility for the future maintenance of the scheme. He is no outsider. In fact, all are spiritually one, though in names and forms they may be different. By his acceptance, we have been relieved of an onerous responsibility. I may have to take on new burdens in the future. I am well prepared for that. This is not the end of the story. I assure the people of Kolar that I shall see to the fulfilment of their needs in the near future. By the 72nd birthday, the drinking water needs of the Kolar people will be met and people in every village will be well served. Even in Anantapur district, some areas remain to be served. I assure them that all that remains to be done will be completed. If any area is not covered I shall get the work done if I am informed about it. I am yours, and you are mine. Our relationship is a spiritual one. You are entitled to approach Me and I am bound to respond to your wishes. Do not entertain any doubts on this score. I bless you all. “
The function concluded with the singing of National Anthem.
Noble cause
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful moment! Golden days!
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