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Guru Poornima, a day of profound significance in the Sri Sathya Sai Vaatsalyam calendar, was commemorated with a series of inspiring events. The morning session commenced with the auspicious inauguration of the Sri Sathya Sai Shubha Dayini Skill Training Centre, a facility dedicated to empowering village women through specialised vocational education.
This was followed by the unveiling of the Sri Sathya Sai Gnyana Dayini logo, symbolising the Foundation’s commitment to spiritual and practical knowledge dissemination. The audience were then treated to inspirational video presentations showcasing the impactful Chennai Narayana Seva and the transformative Gnyana Dayini initiative.
In celebration of the Foundation’s fourth anniversary, two significant publications were launched: “Divya Praabhavam,” the Foundation’s bi-annual newsletter, and the comprehensive Annual Report for 2023-24. These documents serve to chronicle the Foundation’s growth and its manifold service activities.
The morning’s proceedings culminated in a series of thought-provoking speeches and the soul-stirring recitation of sacred stotrams, creating an atmosphere of deep reverence and reflection.
As dusk fell, the celebration took on a vibrant cultural dimension, highlighting the rich tapestry of Indian arts. The evening programme commenced with a soul-stirring musical performance by the talented Geetha Sudha team, whose melodious renditions of devotional songs further elevated the spiritual ambiance. This was followed by a mesmerising Bharatanatyam recital by sister Harshini Kumar, whose graceful movements and expressive abhinaya captivated the audience.
Empowering Rural Women: Inauguration of Shubha Dayini Skill Training Centre
The morning programme of Guru Poornima commenced with the opening of the Shubha Dayini Skill Training Centre.
The Sri Sathya Sai Shubha Dayini initiative is a pioneering programme aimed at empowering rural women in the vicinity of Sri Sathya Sai Vaatsalyam. Through focused skill-building programmes, it equips participants with practical skills that are further refined to enable significant income generation. After just eight months of operation and numerous training sessions, the initiative has already made a substantial impact, attracting 99 enthusiastic participants from twelve surrounding villages. These women were all present at Vaatsalyam for the inauguration, underscoring the programme’s growing influence and importance in the community.
The newly-inaugurated Shubha Dayini Skill Training Centre will serve as the primary hub for these rural women to learn and perfect various crafts. The facility is comprehensively equipped to support a range of skill development activities, including jewellery making and tailoring. Additionally, the centre houses a fully-equipped tailoring room.
Speech by the Chairman, Sri Sathya Sai Premaarpitham Foundation
Sri Krishnan Ramabadran, Chairman of Sri Sathya Sai Premaarpitham Foundation, delivered an insightful speech on “Who is a Guru,” drawing from his life experiences.
Sri Krishnan spoke about how Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s presence in his life meant having God as the head of the family and how Bhagawan teaches humility through His very being. He also mentioned Bhagawan’s teachings that following the knowledge within oneself is akin to following the Guru.
Video Presentation: Chennai’s Seva in Action
Following the speech, attendees viewed a compelling video presentation highlighting the impactful Narayana Seva and Maithri Seva programmes in Chennai, initiatives launched under Sri Sathya Sai Prema Dayini that have touched countless lives in the bustling metropolis.
The video showcased dedicated volunteers from diverse backgrounds united in their mission to serve the underserved across the city. Through Narayana Seva, they deliver hot, nutritious meals to those in need, exemplifying the Foundation’s commitment to addressing hunger and malnutrition. Additionally, the presentation featured the Maithri initiative, demonstrating the volunteers’ efforts in animal welfare.
These programmes vividly illustrate Prema Dayini’s multifaceted approach to service, encompassing both human and animal welfare in Chennai’s urban landscape.
To watch the video, click here.
Foundation’s Newsletter and Annual Report Release
As part of the anniversary celebrations, two significant publications were unveiled. The 4th Anniversary edition of “Divya Praabhavam,” the Foundation’s newsletter, was released, offering a detailed overview of the four Dayini initiatives and featuring numerous testimonials and photographs.
This was followed by the launch of the Annual Report, which provides an in-depth account of each of the Four Dayini streams. The report includes relevant statistics on the Foundation’s reach, detailing the number of villages and villagers served. It comprehensively covers the service initiatives carried out over the past year, complemented by stories and testimonials that vividly illustrate the positive impact of each initiative on the lives of villagers. These publications serve not only as a record of the Foundation’s activities but also as a testament to its growing influence and the tangible benefits it brings to rural communities.
Launch of Gnyana Dayini Logo and Video
The Sri Sathya Sai Gnyana Dayini programme’s logo launch followed next, accompanied by a video showcasing its diverse offerings, which includes Sangeeta Maadhuryam (music classes), Nritya Maadhuryam (Bharatanatyam dance classes), Vidya Maadhuryam (academic support), and the Easwaramma Scholarship for education.
The Sri Sathya Sai Gnyana Dayini motto, “Knowledge beyond academics, skills beyond classrooms,” encapsulates its holistic approach to education. The programme is meticulously designed to empower students to reach their full potential across intellectual, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. By offering a multifaceted educational experience that encompasses academic assistance, cultural activities, skill development, and financial aid, Gnyana Dayini nurtures well-rounded individuals.
The morning programme concluded with everyone present contemplating the message of Guru Poornima and participating in the Mangala Aarti to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. It was a soulful and spiritually charged celebration.
Celebrating Love and Gratitude: Evening Programme of Music and Dance
The evening unfolded as a celebration of love and gratitude, expressed through mellifluous music and dance.
Music Programme by Geetha Sudha
The music programme by Geetha Sudha commenced with a beautiful bouquet of songs. Melodious renditions such as ‘Sri Ganapathe Shantha Guna Nidhe’, ‘Deva Namo Deva’, and ‘Meevalla Guna Doshamemi’ filled the air.
Between these musical offerings, the singers shared heartfelt expressions of their spiritual journey, describing their experiences of seeking and finding Bhagawan as their guru. This interweaving of music and personal testimony created a deeply moving and spiritually uplifting atmosphere, connecting the audience with both the beauty of the melodies and the devotion of the performers.
Dance Programme by sister Harshini
The evening programme also featured a captivating Bharatanatyam recital by sister Harshini Kumar, an engineering student from Chennai. Her performance showcased vibrant and expressive dances, including the dynamic “Natesha Kautuvam” and the evocative “Paal Vadiyum Mugam.”
The evening programme concluded with bhajans and Mangala Aarti, marking the culmination of Guru Poornima—a day filled with spiritual reverence and cultural richness.
