Monday, August 14, 2000
In the evening, Swami blessed the students and staff from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences at SSSIHL for their workshop on Data Communication. After blessing the birthday boys, Swami called Sunil Gavaskar (former captain of the Indian cricket team) and his son (Rohan Gavaskar). Swami praised the Research Scholars and students from our Institute to them for a long time. Another cricket veteran, Gundappa Vishwanath was also present. After enquiring from Gavaskar about his son’s education…
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| Sri Sathya Sai blessing Sunil Gavaskar |
Swami : In our Institute, boys study hard and get good marks. (Swami called the Research Scholars and introduced them to Gavaskar.) Here, it is not percentage, but grading system. (To an old student who at present is working in the Ashram) Why did you resign and come here? You might have got so much money.
Alumni : Swami, I want You, not money.
Swami : Why? Money makes so many things. (Pause) Money also makes so many wrongs. (After talking with the Research Scholars for some more time, Swami read out a poem written by a student, which he showed to Swami.) Do you know poetry? (Swami again read it out loudly for others. When the word ‘Anjali’, offering, came in the poem) Who is that? Is it cinema actress Anjali (referring to Smt. Anjali Devi from Chennai)? Where are you from?
Student : Swami, Kothagudem.
Swami : Is it the one near Bhadrachalam? I went there. At that time, you were not even born!
After this Swami came to the Ganesh Portico. He enquired about breakfast.
Students : Swami, Pongal Paratha.
Swami : Not Pongal Paratha. It is Pongal and Paratha. What is tomorrow’s breakfast? (Nobody answered. Swami called the Warden and asked him the same.
He also did not know.) Tomorrow morning, there is a programme at the Institute.
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| Independence Day Celebrations at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning |
(Every year, the students and staff of all the campuses gather at their respective campuses on the Indian Independence Day (August 15th) and Republic Day (January 26th) for flag hoisting. At the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, the Vice-Chancellor addresses the students. At the other campuses, the Principal of the Campus addresses the students. On certain occasions, this is followed by a cultural programme. On a few occasions, in the 1980s, during the formative years of the Institute, Swami had addressed the students at their respective campuses and inspired them to be ideal citizens of Bharat by following its rich cultural and heritage.)
Warden : Swami, flag hoisting is at 7.00 am.
Swami also enquired about the sacred thread changing ceremony.
Swami : (To Prof. Anil Kumar) Tomorrow morning, all should go to the Institute for Independence Day function.
Prof. A. K. : Swami, compulsorily all of us will go.
Swami : Not compulsory; without fail. (Pointing to sound of a plane) Tomorrow, at Delhi, planes should not fly (above the Red Fort). If it flies, they will shoot it down.
Prof. A. K. : Swami, for security.
Swami : Tension. Life is three parts tension and one part temper.
Prof. A. K. : Swami, if life is three parts tension and one part temper, where is Ananda (bliss)?
Swami : For you, what is the problem? You keep tension and temper on one side and Idli and Sambar on the other side, and enjoy! (Everybody laughed. Students of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences started to speak.)
Students : Swami, workshop.
Swami : What workshop?
Students : Mathematics and Computer Science.
Swami : Have it.
Students : Swami, You should come.
Swami : It is not My business. Computer and Me, no connection.
Swami went back to the interview room.
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