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Inauguration of Sri Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam Railway Station November 22nd
Sri Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam Railway Station was inaugurated by the Chief Minister, Sri Chandrababu Naidu on the afternoon of November 22 , 2000. A new broad guage line of 21 kilometers joins Penukonda and Puttaparthi. In between these two, railway stations at Narayanapuram, Kothacheruvu and Basampalli were also constructed. Sri Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam railway station situated at Manillakunta cross, near Puttaparthi, has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.5 crore. Between Mamillakum and Kothacheruvu, there are 250 metres of tunnels and seven bridges This will facilitate train services between Bangalore and Puttaparthi.
Cultural Programmes by Bal Vikas Students November 15th 17th and 24th Bal Vikas students from various States of India put up cultural programmes at Poornachandra Auditorium. On Nov. 15th the children of Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar, Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, staged Twameva Saranam Sai — a playlet in Telugu. This was followed by an Orissa Bal Vikas presentation, Bhakta Kabi Salbaig which tells the story of how the Divine delayed His journey due to the deep devotion of the devotee. The following day, bal vikas children from Karnataka presented Bhakti -Virakti while a dance drama Bhakta Meera titled Mere to Giridhara Gopal was the offering from the children from Rajasthan. On Nov. 17th Bal Vikas children from Tamil Nadu enacted the story of Sakku Bai, the ardent devotee of Panduranga. This was followed by a dance performance from Punjab. On Nov. 24th, Bal Vikas children from Delhi offered Sant Ravidas while those from West Bengal offered Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Bhagawan blessed all the presentations with His presence.
XIX Convocation : Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning November 22nd
The ninteenth convocation of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (deemed University) took place in Sai Kulwanth Hall in the afternoon. The academic procession started from the Poornachandra Auditorium led by the brass band of the Institute. At the request of the Vice-Chancellor, Sri S.V. Giri, Bhagawan, the Divine Chancellor, declared the convocation open. The Vice-Chancellor then made a few introductory remarks. Gold medals were awarded to students with distinction, after the convocation pledge was administered to the graduating students. Sri Murali Manohar Joshi, Minister of Human Resource Development (Science and Technology) delivered the convocation address. He wonderfully integrated the apparently diverse fields of science and spirituality in his perspicacious talk. Bhagawan then gave His benedictory message. The convocation closed with the full-throated singing of the national anthem. In the evening, students from the Institute presented a play in English, ‘Divine Transformation’.
The Seventy-Fifth Birthday November 23rd
A sea of humanity engulfed the Hill View Stadium, as soon as it was opened at three in the morning. Even the turf was packed to bursting point with very eager devotees. Bhagawan arrived in a silver chariot, glowing with splendor in a white robe at 7 a.m. Accompanying Him was a grand pageant - a procession led by a richly adorned Sai Geeta, Baba’s ceremonial elephant, following which were groups of Institute Students chanting Vedas and playing instrumental music. There were also students in colourful costumes performing an exuberant dance, as they moved on.
The devotees cheered in joy as Bhagawan alighted from the silver chariot in front of the Shanti Vedika and climbed up the steps leading to a magnificient silver throne. on which he gracefuly sat down. Fire-crackers were set off from the southern end of the stadium as a mark of honour for Bhagawan, putting the devotees in a mood of pious festivity. Then there was a splendid rally. Devotee Pairs representating the States of India and 148 countries marched in front of Bhagawan dressed in their traditional costumes. Each pair bowed before Bhagawan seated on the Shanti Vedika dais , and if representating a country, lowered their national flag too. Sri Murali Manohar Joshi, the Minister for Human Resource Development spoke on the occasion. It must be pointed out to his credit that he was unsparingly candid that the government had failed tasks incumbent on them, whereas Bhagawan in His philanthrophy had wonderfully achieved free medical care, free education, gigantic Sathya Sai Water Project and even free food during the birthday celebration.
Bhagawan gave a thrilling and touching discourse, exhorting the devotees to do away with binding rituals in worship and concentrate on actual union with God, possible through loving all and serving all as one’s own selves. He further delighted the devotees by declaring that their period of strife and trouble was henceforth over, and they could happily live a pure life. The morning’s programme ended with Bhagawan’s aarthi. A helicopter flew above the stadium showering flowers on Bhagawan and the devotees. Before He got into his car, Bhagawan looked up at the helicopter, blessing the pilot with both hands. In the evening’s programme, the noted Hindustani singer, Parveen Sultana gave an electrifying performance. Diana Gillespie, the British Blues artist, performed with equal elan, drawing mighty cheers of appreciation.
November 20th- 26th Free Food Breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner! For a week devotees enjoyed Bhagawan’s hospitality. Several counters were set up for distribution, efficiently manned by alummni of the University and Seva Dals.
Mobile drinking water carriers and luggage helpers During the week-long Birthday celebrations young men from Mahboobnagar district of Andhra Pradesh thoughtfully supplied water from tanks on their backs to thirsty devotees in the stadium in the Ashram, including remote places, and even on the streets. Another group of young men from the same place manned luggage trolleys. They loaded the incoming devotees luggage in their trolleys and carried them to their places of stay. They also carried the luggage back to the bus station when the devotees went home.
Close circuit television The Ashram was filled with television sets at vantage points. Television cameras in the Sai Kulwanth Hall and PoornaChandra Auditorium continuously relayed the programmes with beautiful cameos of Bhagawan Himself to the sets. Even devotees in farflung areas could watch the celebrations.
Day care centre A day care centre was opened in Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences as an offering to Bhagawan on His 75th Birthday. Minor surgeries, besides treatment for ailments, would be conducted in the day centre.
Mobile medical camps Devotee doctors conducted medical camps in and around Puttaparthi on mobile units Sanitation teams accompanied them.
Security measures The Government of Andhra Pradesh had provided tight and elaborate security for the Prasanthi Nilayam township during the Birthday festival. There were check points, police outposts, bomb squads and private eye cameras at sensitive points as the festival went on without any trouble.