ALL INDIA PRESIDENT VISITS SAI ANANDAM

The feeling of euphoria, which is the natural result of a rezendevous with the Lord, is not over yet and Bhagwan sent one more sign of His blessings. This time it was no less than the All India President (AIP) of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations who payed a visit to the ashram and basked in the bliss that resides there in the form of nine innocent kids. The devotees from nearby villages, the kids, and of course us were waiting to welcome him and may be a word. Bhajans started at around 2:45 pm, with the kids leading and with every passing minute, the expectation grew. Finally at 3:15 pm, the AIP reached the ashram. Sai Students (both brothers and sisters) who resided in the vicinity of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, had waited there since morning, and had made every preparation to welcome him in a traditional Oriya manner.

Vedam chanting, Conch blowing and lighting of the lamp brought out the richness of the culture of Orissa and the AIP was overwhelmed with this gesture. He was escorted to the dias where Swami was already waiting for him in the form of a smiling photograph. He offered the flowers at His feet, and with the ceremonial lamp lighting, and chanting of Asathoma, the program was inagurated. He was overawed on learning that old students are running the ashram and enquired lovingly the name, batch and campus of each of the students present there. He then blessed the house owner who had donated this house without a thought for this Divine mission. Such a sacrifice without any motive is unheard of and this touched him. Brother Sathyaswaroop started the proceedings with an introductory talk explaining the motivation, purpose and the significance of Sai Anandam.

Then the Student Coordinator presented the report on the same to the AIP, explaining the details enclosed in the same. Well the star attraction of the day were the kids with whom the AIP lovingly interacted and presented T-Shirts. The smiles on their faces really gave us the satisfaction that we are moving in the right direction.

AIP distributing T-shirts to the kids

After that with the AIP's consent we presentaed before him a presentation on the various activites of Orissa Sai Students throughout the world. Wherever we are, we are His and we will be involved for Him and His Work. The AIP and the audience were spellbound and we were silently praying to Swami to give us the strength to live upto His expectation forever. Numerous questions followed after that. The audience was inquisitive for no one had an iota of idea of so many projects. A request for a talk followed soon after. Immersed in bliss, he asked which language should he use, hindi or english? Since most of the devotees, were simple villagers, we requested him to proceed in hindi. The happiness he was experiencing could not be hidden any longer.

It overflowed in his talk when he expressed his gratitude for getting a chance to visit Sai Anandam. For the students, there was something more rewarding when he said he is going to request Swami to pay a visit to Sai Anandam and bless the kids, us and the devotees residing in and around the ashram. The crowd, no doubt recieved this with a thundorous applause. Every face was full of expectation, every heart full of prayers. Will this ever be true that the Lotus Feet will walk the ashram? Only time can say and our prayers can work that miracle. We prayed him to inform Swami about the program and he replied, "I am taking this report to Swami". He even promised to pay Rs. 10000 to the ashram through the State President.
The visit was an eye opener. It revealed many a hidden truth. This is Swami's work. So He is in direct touch with it from Prasanthinilayam, by sending these visitors to take our performance appraisal. So lets gear up again with renewed vigour to make His dream our reality. Lets do it !! Sai Ram.