Sunday, October 19, 2003 to
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
The ‘Sri Sathya Sai Yuva Chaitanya Vahini’, comprising 8,000 youth from Andhra Pradesh undertook Grama Seva in 80 villages, spread over 23 districts of the State. This special Seva was a part of the 80th Birthday celebrations of Bhagavan. Their pilgrimage culminated at Prasanthi Nilayam between 19th and 21st October 2003. The youth group presented cultural programmes in Sai Kulwant Hall on 19th afternoon. On 20th October, the Avatar Declaration Day, Bhagavan rejoiced them with His Darshan in Sai Kulwant Hall and permitted them to conduct the Bhajans in the morning. Bhagavan arrived in Sai Kulwant Hall at 2.50 pm, that afternoon. The students of Sri Sathya Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music presented Hindustani classical devotional music. Dr. N. Anjanaiah, the State President of the Sai Organisation, Andhra Pradesh spoke in detail about the Grama Seva undertaken by these youth. Two youth members from the group addressed the gathering. In His brief Discourse on the Culture of Bharat, Swami said:
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| Sri Sathya Sai Speaks at the Sai Kulwant Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam |
“It is enough if there are one or two organisations like this; Bharat can be restored to its pristine glory. The service activities have brought about a great transformation in the hearts of youth. If such sacred activities are undertaken in every village and in every street, the ancient culture of Bharat can certainly be revived. Today, there are very few people who practise and propagate the sacred values of our culture. The Bharatiyas have completely forgotten their rich cultural heritage and are imitating the Western Culture, losing their sanctity. Though the culture of Bharat is ancient, it is ageless and as relevant in the contemporary scene and, hence, it should be practised and propagated in every village.
A few elders of the Organisation have approached Me for guidance in carrying out the service activities. Tomorrow I will speak to the organisers from Hyderabad and the youth, and give them the necessary guidelines. You are well aware how the values have degenerated in the city of Hyderabad which was once known as Simhapuri. People have lost faith in our ancient values and are ruining their lives by aping the Western Culture.
Embodiments of Love!
Words of appreciation or any type of compliments are inadequate to describe in full the great ideal demonstrated by you. I shall provide buses in which you can travel to various villages and perform service activities. Today, the world is witnessing a strange scenario. People preach spirituality on the one hand and act quite otherwise on the other. This has become common especially in the big cities. People in cities, however well-educated they are, have completely forgotten our ancient traditions and are behaving in a perverse manner in the name of modernism. The enthusiasm, dynamism and the ancient traditional values that are found in you, the youth in particular, are not found anywhere else. It is only those who know the greatness of our ancient culture will be able to understand and appreciate the sacred feelings of your hearts. It is most essential that you propagate our ancient culture in every village and in every hamlet. Though the people of villages are interested in disseminating our ancient culture, they are unable to do so for want of resources. Hence, I will give all necessary support and encouragement for the furtherance of this sacred cause. Such ideal students who participate in this sacred activity of Grama Seva will be given admission in our educational institutions. Do not think that you are outsiders. All this is yours. I am yours and these institutions belong to you. You have every right to be here. I am always ready to provide any help that you may require.
Tomorrow, I will address all of you separately and give you guidelines for your future activities. Never give room for disappointment. March ahead with all hope and enthusiasm. Tomorrow, with full of happiness in your heart, wait for Swami to address you. I may come any moment. Never give up chanting the Name of God. The Divine Name is like a boat that can take you across the ocean of life. I will give the necessary strength to your units. Be prepared to undertake rural service activities with great enthusiasm. Today, right at this moment, you must take a firm resolve to develop and expand your activities.
Never get yourselves entangled in politics. Keep yourselves away from all political activities. Continue your sacred social work and sanctify your time by chanting the Divine Name. Follow your chosen path with determination and achieve success. Today selfishness is rampant in the field of politics. You should lead a life of selfless service contemplating on God all the time and thus redeem yourselves. Tomorrow morning, I will come and address you at length.”
The function concluded with Mangala Arati. On 21st morning, Bhagavan gave a Discourse in Sai Kulwant Hall to these young members, enumerating certain important events in His childhood. Sri K. Arun and Sri Rameswar Prusty, former students of the Institute also addressed the congregation. The youth presented devotional songs. Bhagavan called a meeting of all the District Presidents of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Andhra Pradesh and some select youth members, that afternoon. During the course of His Benedictory Address to the youth in the Bhajan Mandir, Bhagavan launched the ‘Sri Sathya Sai Grama Seva Trust’. He advised them to undertake the village service programmes in all the villages of the state. He assured them that He would provide the necessary infrastructure for this work. Bhagavan had a group photo taken with the participants in the meeting.
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