Lots of interesting things are happening in Puttaparthi and as Dasara is fast approaching many more activities will keep Parthi more busy..
“Sai Dhanwantari Pranamamyaham” A Programme by the Staff of Swami's General Hospital in Puttaparthi..
This evening it was the turn of the staff of General Hospital to offer their gratitude and in every second of this programme Swami's love and their love to Swami was clearly seen.. Little did any one except our Lord alone would have guessed how big the Sai Medical Care will grow while He laid the first foundation stone for a little hospital way back in 1954. It was so kind of Swami to pose for this particular photo marking a new beginning of Sathya Sai Medical Care..
The evening's programme started with a brief intro by Dr.Latha Shree and later followed few soul stirring songs by the doctors, nurses and HR staff of the hospital. In spite of a demanding schedule, they would have had a lot of rehearsals which was clearly seen in the form of perfect rendition with a matchless devotion..
What was so unique of this evening's programme was the fantastic video of Swami which had to match the song and the timing had to be maintained perfectly. Especially when brother Vivek Ananda rendered the verse, Paropa karaya Phanlanthi Vrikshaha... For the first time, we got to see some never before seen darshan clippings of Swami in Kulwanth hall and also few of His visits to the hospital.
With His grace, i hadn't been that frequent to hospital, but every time i visited i could clearly see the love and dedication in the doctors and nurses. In the big screen there was one video of Late Dr.Alreja with Swami and my childhood memories flashed in my minds. He was an iconic figure who strived relentlessly for Swami's hospital..
In between the songs there was short mention of Swami's profound messages to the doctors and it was heart touching when they paid tribute to Ms. Nagamani who passed away early this year during her pilgrimage to 4 dhams in North India, after a fall from the horse in Kedarnath.
She was a gem and a proud daughter of Swami for the kind of work she did in Swami's hospital. She came to Swami when she was only 18 remained a Brahmacharini and worked for Swami till her last breath. During this evening's programme one incident was shared about her. Once it so happened that there was shortage of doctors in the hospital and she single handedly ran the hospital attending patients. Later Swami told her, " Inspite of not having a doctor degree Nagamani did a fantastic job which even a qualified doctor wouldn't have done, " What more grace can one ask for other than getting a Doctor degree from the Divine Doctor Himself!!
She had a very sweet voice and most of the time i would see her in the pharmacy, very patiently explaining the dosage to the patients. If she saw any children in the queue they would get a chocolate along with the bitter pills. That's how sweet she was. May her soul rest in peace and hats off to the staff of the hospital for thinking of her in Sai Kulwanth Hall.
The doctors were singing like professionals and what was so unique about them was the devotion in their voice. They were singing from the heart with complete focus on Swami unlike few professional musicians who perform only to show their skills. As the programme was going live on the big screen, I could see lots of familiar faces and was surprised about their singing talents. They all are blessed souls to be direct contributors to Swami's mission and right through i was thanking Swami for making sure His hospital has world class doctors with a loving and caring heart. May all these blessed souls continue to serve in the hospital and may Swami bring many more doctors like them so that "His love" is not missed even in "His hospital".
Taking Cue from Swami's Medical Care, there are quite a few hospital projects taken up by devotees around the world. To name there this beautiful hospital project in South Africa in R.K.Khan Hospital, one of the biggest government run hospital in Durban. The Sai Organisation has taken the emergency ward, which was in a very bad shape and converted into a temple of healing with photos and sayings of Gods and Saints. This ward also portrays Swami's life size pictures, His messages and also photos of the two super speciality hospitals built by Swami..
This " Sarvadharma" ward brings solace to the patients as they can pray to their favourite diety and also read some messages from their holy books. This also has created curiosity on Swami and many non-devotee staff members in particular have started reading His literature and attend Sai Centers.
BEAUTIFUL MALE EMERGENCY WARD IN R.K.KHAN HOSPITAL, DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
FEMALE EMERGENCY WARD, IN R.K.KHAN HOSPITAL, DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
LIFE SIZE PICTURE OF SWAMI ALONG WITH PHOTOS OF HOSPITALS DISPLAYED IN R.K.KHAN HOSPITAL, DURBAN SOUTH AFRICA
FREE MEDICAL CLINIC IN BOTSWANA...
Not many would have heard the name of this country Botswana, but Swami's work is in full swing in this little country which is predominently a African community. Patients from any financial backgrounds are treated free of charge and the medicines are also given with no charge. The Sai Organisation in Botswana has also won the hearts of the local government for the yeomen service they are rendering to the community with no expectations what so ever.
PATIENTS WAITING OUTSIDE THE SAI CLINIC IN BOTSWANA
This is enough proof to say that Swami is very much here with us, working through us, to complete His mission..
CHITRAVATHI RIVER CLEAN UP PROGRAMME:
In the early September, few Puttaparthians decided to give a facelift to the holy river of Parthi and an important place of Swami's childhood days. If the intention is good Swami's blessings will always be with us and true enough there was heavy rain in Puttaparthi in the second week of September and Chitravathi started flowing like before..
For years, some how, people didn't realise the sanctity of this holy river. Till mid 90s or late 90s Chitravathi was flooded with rain water and was looking like a river. Later on, there were few dams built on the top, mostly in the state of Karnataka and slowly the water inflow to Chitravathi river became very less to no water. This is when people started dumping all the waste into the river and it virtually became a dump yard. A massive clean up programme was taken up by students, local youths and few staff members. Even though there is still lot to do, but it was a very good start..
Pic taken On Oct 1, 2013 shows some one has dumped the debris from a demolished house. A very rare scene in the Western world....
ARATHI TO MOTHER CHITRAVATHI:
If not daily like it happens to River Ganga in Varanasi, starting from Sept 26th Arathi is being offered to Chitravathi River on every Thursday at 6:30 PM. A perfect tribute to such a holy river which was sanctified by the touch of Sathya Sai Avatar.
SAMADHI OF SWAMI KARUNYANANDA:
Swami Karunya nanda was indeed a blessed soul to spend 4 decades with Swami. Every morning, he was the first person to visit Swami's quarters, open the door (which usually is locked from outside) and have the first padanamaskar of the day. After spending so many precious years, he merged in Swami in the year 1997. Usually most of Sai devotees who die in Parthi are cremated. There were so many instances where Swami Himself , directed to make arrangements for cremation of His close devotees.
But Swami Karunyananda is one exception who was buried and his samadhi is found in the banks of Chitravathi river. Even though Swami Karunyananda would be least bothered at the present plight of his samadhi, but as a mark of respect for such a blessed soul, it is our duty to give a face lift to this samadhi as well..
The passing of Karunyananda (Divine Discourse, Dassera, 08 October 1997)
"You may all know what happened today. Karunyananda had been with Swami for forty years. He was a centenarian. Today his body merged in the five elements. For the passing of any person the time, the place and the circumstances have to come together. Here in this hall the recitation of the Vedas is going on. The Jnana Yajna is being performed. He was listening to all these sacred things. He went to sleep at night and passed away in his sleep. He came to me a week ago. Swami asked him. "Karunyananda! What is it you want?" He replied: "I need nothing. I only want to merge in your Lotus Feet. There is no purpose in my continuing." I asked him why he was speaking in this manner: "What more is there for me to enjoy in life? I have experienced everything. I have stayed and moved with Swami for forty years."
He came with me to Kashmir and Shimla, Gaya and Prayag. He came with me to all places, wherever I went. Staying with me, he passed away with a sense of fulfillment."
GRAMA SEVA 2013 TO START FROM OCTOBER 5TH.
Like every year, this year's Grama Seva, a beautiful initiative by Swami to send food and clothing to the door steps of poor villagers around Puttaparthi will start from October 5th 2013. After Swami's physical withdrawal, many critics were doubtful about the continuation of this programme, but when Swami wills, there is no way such a noble act would stop. Three years have passed by and every year there are few more villages that are added on requests from villagers. This year, the Grama Seva will be covered to a minimum of 50,000 beneficiaries and all the arrangements have been made for the same.
The cooks, rice and other provisions are ready. The students who would be going to the villages, passing Swami's prasad to every door step are ready. The students of Swami's college are very privileged, that they get a chance to see the grass root level citizens of the country and the poverty they are facing but with a smile.. Swami definitely had a very big Master plan for starting this programme and there is no country, no Sai Center which is not practicing this model of Delivering "Swami's Love" at the door step of the needy..
Sri. Puppet from the UK inspite of ill health has come once again with 18 boys to take part in this year's Grama Seva Project. As we all know the UK youths are the only " Non-Student community" who are blessed by Bhagawan to take part in Grama Seva. Over the years, many youths from the UK have been blessed to be part of this programme and it is a huge cultural and social shock for them to see the poorest of the poor and develop the spirit of sacrifice and seva from a very young age.
As if like some kind of biological clock, every one in my family were shocked today, when my 4 year old son came up to me and asked , " When is Swami sending Laddus to our home". There are no words to describe the great joy when Swami's students come to our door step and say, Swami has sent you this prasad. It is during this season, we get to taste the unique Pulihora/pulisadam/tamarind rice which tastes the best when Swami sends them through His students...
A NEW VIDEO OF PROF.ANIL KUMAR
Taken from his recently concluded visit to South Africa, please watch this important satsang addressed to the Youth. The message in this talk is very profound and the questions which were asked at the end of this talk were bit delicate but the answers would definitely help the youth to concentrate more on Sai and the mission of Sai..
Here is the link..
(Thanks for reading such a long email. Apologies for any mistakes in this write up which is a personal work and not affiliated to any official wings of Puttaparthi administration )
With Pranams at the Lotus feet of our beloved Lord,
