New Year In The Divine Presence…

New Year in Prasanthi Nilayam is synonymous with the unique Bond Of Love between Bhagawan and His grateful students. It has been the set custom for over a decade that alumni from SSSIHL would assemble at His Lotus Feet celebrating the Bond Of Love.

Following the tradition, hundreds of alumni from different parts of the globe assembled in Prasanthi today celebrating the New Year in the immediate Divine omnipresence.

The programme for the evening commenced with a flag-march at 1645 hrs., that arrived at the Sanctum Sanctorum offering salutations at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet. The flag-march was accompanied by Veda chanting by the alumni.

Even as the introductory speaker strolled into the nostalgic golden past, reminiscing their wonderful days with Bhagawan, after the flag-march, groups of students went forward with various offerings that included New Year Greetings, New Year Cake, Vidyullekha’s latest edition, Bridge Across Time’s latest volumes, chocolates etc.

Speakers for the session were Dr Srinivas and Sri Anil Kumar. Speaking about Bhagawan’s guidance and direction in their lives, full of infinite compassion, Dr Srinivas said Bhagawan is with us even after His physical passing on. It is due to His grace and compassion that we are able to proceed forward in our lives, said the doctor narrating how Bhagawan’s helping hand came at the right time when he met with a ‘disaster’, as his hospital in Vizag had collapsed only to revive back by His Divine grace, overcoming all obstacles. Bhagawan is with us every moment and let us all pray to Bhagawan to make our lives His message, concluded the grateful speaker.

By the exemplary behaviour world should recognise that you are Sai students and thus about the glory of His Institution, thundered Sri Anil Kumar opening the floodgates of tales of His Bond Of Love with His students. Exhorting the students to join the main stream of Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Sri Anil Kumar told the students, that anyone who practises His teachings is a Sai student; One should earn the title by practising His teachings.

Next, Rhythmic Energy, the famed Brass Band of the alumni, played some scintillating tunes. Beginning with an invocatory piece propitiating Mother Divine, they continued with Love Is My Form…, Hari Bhajana Binaa to wind up in style with a lively piece, a fusion of rhythm and energy symbolising Power Of Divine.

As the twilight slowly set in, with musical stalwarts from the bygone era were around, it was time for a Musical Sandhya. Led by Dr. Sunam from the 80′s batch, singer cum composer, the music troupe took the floor presenting a unique offering, done most innovatively and aesthetically. Mostly using their own compositions, they sang seven pieces, that included a Kabir Vani, a Qawwali on Haji Ali and an English composition of “Love” sung strumming the guitar etc. Squatting in a semi-circle, with Dr Sunam compeering the show, the troupe strolled into the nostalgic past of their student days bursting into spells of songs for Him…Him and Him alone.

The session concluded with Bhagawan singing ‘Sathyam Jnaanam Anantham Brahma…’ followed by Mangala Arathi offering at 1905 hrs.

Earlier, in the New Year morning the Brass Band from the Institute presented a Band display playing five numbers. Compilations included Memories of the years gone by…, Celebrating the joyous presence of Bhagawan’s omnipresence…, Life Is a Challenge Meet It…, Gopikas’ unsullied devotion to Bhagawan Sri Krishna and I Will Be There For You…

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II