YOUTH WING PUNE
• To help the individual -
• Love all, Serve All
• Help Ever, Hurt Never
• Practice the vocabulary of love, unlearn the language of hate and contempt
• To ensure that all human relations are governed by the principles of Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Right Conduct), Shanthi (Peace), Prema (Love) and Ahimsa (Non-violence).
• To make devotees more sincere and dedicated in the practice of their respective religions by understanding properly the true spirit of their religion.
The Organization undertakes spiritual, educational and service activities under the inspiration and guidance of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba through the Sri Sathya Sai Samithis / Centers all over the globe.
Spiritual activities include devotional singing, study circles, Nagarsankeertans, meditation, etc
Educational activities cover ‘Bal Vikas’ (for children) and Education in Human Values Programmes, besides formal academic education combined with the development of the character of the students for age group of 6 to 15.Service activities include items such as organizing medical check-up camps, adoption of under-developed villages for accelerating rural development, blood donation, old age homes, etc.
Every member of the Organization must undertake Sadhana (spiritual discipline) as an integral part of his daily life and abide by the following Code of Conduct: -
• Meditation and prayer (according to one's own religious practice).
• Devotional singing / prayer with members of his family.
• Attendance by one’s children in the Bal Vikas / Educational programs conducted by the Samithi / Centre.
• Participation in community service and other programs of the Organization.
• Putting into practice the principle of ‘Ceiling on Desires’ and utilizing any savings thereby generated for the service of mankind.
• If we cant oblige speak obligely.
• Speaking softly and lovingly with everyone with whom one comes into contact.
• Before speaking, think is it necessary?, is it true?, will it hurt?, will it improve upon silence.
• Not indulging in talking ill of others, especially in their absence
The apex body of the organization is the ‘Prasanthi Council’, headquartered in Prasanthi Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh. It is this body that oversees the functioning of the Sai Organizations worldwide. The Prasanthi council consists of the All-India President, the Chairman of the Overseas Organizations and few other senior members of the Sai Family appointed by Bhagawan Baba Himself.
The policies, decisions and directives of the Prasanthi Council are handed down through the state level units and central coordinators to the entire organization, right down to the grassroots levels for assimilation and implementation.
The Sai Organization, from small beginnings in a remote little hamlet, in South India, has grown into a well-knit, purposeful and service-oriented global organization of dedicated men and women. With its organizational units in all Indian states and over 170 other countries, it is striving every day selflessly to bring in a new world order governed by peace, love, unity and harmony.
Youth are our hope for a better tomorrow, for on their shoulder squarely rests the future of the world, already facing threats of global warming, extinction of animal species, and depletion of forest wealth, besides pollution, population, poverty. Each city has its own Youth Wing, which comprises young members who are able, willing, earnest, enthusiastic and devoted. These youth members take their cue from and are influenced and encouraged by senior members and office bearers of the organization.
Their range of activities is highlighted under HEART. Youth wig members had taken disaster management training. An opportunity to put this training into practice came in the aftermath of the heavy downpour in Maharashtra. Members of the Youth wing went to Juhi village in the Raigad district for flood relief work where, with the help of a JCB, they worked towards unearthing decomposed bodies of people trapped in the landslide and then performing their last rites. Distribution of Dry food was also done at the villages.
Service to man is service to God, for He is in every man, and every living being, in every stone and stump. The poor and the miserable are for our salvation, so that we may serve the Lord coming in the shape of the diseased, coming in the shape of the lunatic, the leper and the sinner. Service should be done with a feeling of empathy towards the oppressed and the destitute. Service to others will help your divinity blossom, for it will gladden your heart and make you feel that life has been worthwhile. Service assures Golden Era in the future. Golden Era doesn’t mean that no calamity or surprise befall on humanity, it only means that each will lend a helping hand to the other and all of us together can fight the consequences of the calamities. Swami’s Gospel of ‘Sadhana through Service’ is the vital need of the hour, and the only sure remedy to achieve stable peace in one’s mind, in one’s family, in the society around and in the world at large. Service is effective only when I and mine are replaced by “God and God’s.” so that it extinguishes ego and gives bliss. We must pray for newer and newer opportunities for service and exult in the chance that his hands receive. Service is the highest spiritual discipline. Prayer and meditation, or knowledge of scriptures and Vedanta cannot help you reach the Goal as quickly as service can.
Members of the Samithi and youth wing assemble at Sassoon hospital every Sunday at 10 am. The seva comprises the following:
1. Counseling patients about hygiene and its importance.
2. Cleaning the Pediatric Dept. so that it can be hailed as a "Model" Ward at the hospital.
3. Educating the relatives of patients about the ill effects of tobacco and other addictive substances like gutkha, pan masala and the like.
Also, at noon, members assemble at the Paediatric Ward for Narayana seva.
Serving patients in various wards as well as their relatives, who may not have proper facilities for food, the youth collect food packets made by devotees from different samithis and distribute them along with fruits and biscuit packets.
Medical camps will be conducted once in every month in Hadshi and Ketkawane villages. These medical camps comprise of general check-ups and giving away of medicines free of cost. In addition to this, Eye Medical camps are also conducted. Distributing glasses and also registering people for cataract operations are the highlights of these medical camps. Cataract operations will also be conducted free of cost, few days after the medical camp.
Channelisation of rainwater to prevent stagnation and spraying of BHC powder where dirt had accumulated, was taken up in Phulgaon. Distribution of protein food and medicines to under-nourished slum children at Dehu-Road is an ongoing activity as a slum development programme. Handicapped children undergoing operations at Jog Hospital are served breakfast, lunch and dinner by devotees’ everyday. The children of construction workers, who are placed in mobile crèches, are given protein food prepared in bulk, every month.
As per rough estimates, there are approximately more than 50 children, below the age group of 5, who are grossly undernourished in Dehu-Road Slum area. As a pilot project, Sai youth members are arranging for Protein Food, in the form of laddoos, to be distributed in this Slum Area for a group of 18 such undernourished children (to begin with). Their health is monitored regularly on a monthly basis, by measuring individual weights. By the grace of Bhagavan, there has been positive improvement in the health of 80 per cent of the children.
As education has become increasingly secular all over the world, the need for a value based educational program too has intensified and become imperative. Educational systems give little or no importance to character building and inculcation of morality, virtues and values in the young minds. This coupled with the incessant inputs that the young minds receive from the daily dose of T.V., movies, video games, magazines and newspaper, form the food on which youngsters are nurtured.
Bal vikas helps students lighten their burdens, by helping them practice right conduct and devotion to the Lord, who is the Guide Protector, Creator and Sustainer of all. Listening to the stories and glory of the Incarnations of God and by taking his name; Love and Devotion blossom out in the human heart without any special effort. The purpose of Bal vikas is to bring out the best from within the students, by developing their self awareness. Emphasis is not on mere information but on transformation, by practice of the values dealt in the class.
The techniques of Bal Vikas are:
Prayers
Group singing
Story telling
Group Activities
Meditation
Recognizing one’s error is the beginning of wisdom
Veterinary Project: Qualified Veterinary Doctors along with the youth seva dal went from house to house and examined the cattle as well as other farm animals like dogs, poultry etc. in Phulgoan. Packets containing calcium and other supplements were distributed to cattle owners, to be used as feed supplement for better growth of their cattle. The wounded animals (cattle, dogs) were given first aid and dressings were given medicines while Rabies vaccine was given to 10 dogs. Youth wing members were delighted when, a particular dog suffering from acute Gastro which was then put on IV drip, recovered in the evening on the same day. Veterinary camps are conducted at many places in and around Pune.
Diary Project: Youth have taken up an innovative project in Phulgaon. As apart of this project, seven cows were given to the residents of the village. The milk from these cows was distributed and some of that money was given to the caretakers and the remaining was put in Corpus fund. Some more cows were brought and given to the residents. This project took off with the distribution of seven cows and now 16 cows which in itself is a big success.
In last few years Bhagawan infused a new meaning to seva when He directed His students to take up Grama Seva in the villages of Anantapur district and serve His prasadam in every dwelling,be it a palace or a hut. From this, Bhagawan showed the importance of every individual in society reminding him or her that Sai never forgets anyone irrespective of whoever else may have forgotten him or her. This has brought up a revolution of love and resolution of dedication and its only a matter of time that this revolution is carried along the length and breadth of the country. The youth from Pune also played their part in taking this steady, continuous and unstoppable stream of love to its destination. It all started five years ago when they took the initiative of going to a village named Phulgaon. Little did they know then that this humble initiation can change the lives of the people in the village and shape them into mascots of love. Grameena seva kendra which now stands tall was still in the womb of time then. These youngsters went about their work of cleaning the surroundings, conducting medical camps and veterinary camps in the village. The people in the village were amazed to see the dedication and devotion not to mention the selflessness and efficiency displayed by these youngsters. Naturally, they got curious about the source of this inspiration. This enquiry lead them slowly into the spiritual path. Swami's photos made their way into these homes and slowly Swami started becoming the centre of their lives. Every year people from Pune participate in Prashanthi Seva and last few years 55-60 people from Phulgaon visited the Abode of Peace, Prashanthi Nilayam for this divine mission. This encouraged the youth to take up activities like Diary Project and then the Grameena seva Kendra. The neighboring villages like Tulapur was also a witness of this pure love in the form of Eye Medical Camp. The Grameena Seva Kendra is aimed at conducting the activities like medical camps, cataract operations, veterinary camps, Bal Vikas classes and so on for all the villages around Phulgaon.
In last few years Bhagawan infused a new meaning to seva when He directed His students to take up Grama Seva in the villages of Anantapur district and serve His prasadam in every dwelling,be it a palace or a hut.
From this, Bhagawan showed the importance of every individual in society reminding him or her that Sai never forgets anyone irrespective of whoever else may have forgotten him or her. This has brought up a revolution of love and resolution of dedication and its only a matter of time that this revolution is carried along the length and breadth of the country. The youth from Pune also played their part in taking this steady, continuous and unstoppable stream of love to its destination.
It all started five years ago when they took the initiative of going to a village named Phulgaon. Little did they know then that this humble initiation can change the lives of the people in the village and shape them into mascots of love. Grameena seva kendra which now stands tall was still in the womb of time then. These youngsters went about their work of cleaning the surroundings, conducting medical camps and veterinary camps in the village. The people in the village were amazed to see the dedication and devotion not to mention the selflessness and efficiency displayed by these youngsters.
Naturally, they got curious about the source of this inspiration. This enquiry lead them slowly into the spiritual path. Swami's photos made their way into these homes and slowly Swami started becoming the centre of their lives. Every year people from Pune participate in Prashanthi Seva and last few years 55-60 people from Phulgaon visited the Abode of Peace, Prashanthi Nilayam for this divine mission. This encouraged the youth to take up activities like Diary Project and then the Grameena seva Kendra. The neighboring villages like Tulapur was also a witness of this pure love in the form of Eye Medical Camp. The Grameena Seva Kendra is aimed at conducting the activities like medical camps, cataract operations, veterinary camps, Bal Vikas classes and so on for all the villages around Phulgaon.
Experiences form a bridge through which hearts of devotees will be drawn towards Swami and gradually Sai becomes the centre of their lives. They form a threshold for a never ending relationship between the Creation and the Creator. If for some, experiences are tools that can awaken the humanity dormant in them, for others they are the manifestations of His overwhelming existence. Swami says that miracles are like magnets that draw the people towards Him. Once their faith is firmly established, they begin to look beyond the miracles and slowly start stretching their hands out for what He has really come to give – knowledge and bliss. Though there are unbelievable miracles performed by Swami all the devotees unanimously agree that His unalloyed love that transforms hearts – a divine alchemy is the greatest of all his miracles. Experiences reaffirm the undeniable presence of God.
1. During the Annual Sports and Cultural Meet of 2004-05, I was confused whether to participate in the motorbike item. Finally I made up my mind and went for the selection test. But I wasn’t able to ride the bike well in the first selection test, and this disappointed me. That night, I had a dream. Bhagawan appeared in my dream and taught me how to ride a motor bike. He even explained to me, the working of each and every part of the motorbike. He demonstrated the use of the clutch, the brake and even showed me how to fill petrol! The next day, I rode the bike for the selection test and was selected, to my immense surprise and joy. I performed many stunts on the motor bike and even balanced five girls in one of the stunts. All this was possible because the Divine Coach had intervened.
2. As a first year student with a shallow understanding of Divinity, I was quite skeptical about His Omnipresence. This provoked me to interrogate more about the authenticity of His Divinity and Omnipresence. On one Sunday, in June, bhajan was going on in the hostel. As I was very interested in music, I went for the bhajan. During the bhajan a thought flashed across my mind. I had often observed some of my sisters placing a glass of water covered with a lid near Swami’s chair. In my mind, I asked Him,” Is it true that you stay here during the bhajan? If you are really here, you should partake of the water, which is kept in the glass” the question was however forgotten after a while, and I got involved in some other activity. There was a great surprise in store for me that evening. To my utter astonishment, I found that the water level in the glass had, indeed reduced to half its original level!
3. My parents hail from a Darjeeling where superstitious beliefs predominate. This incident concerns my mother’s last phase of pregnancy. Abiding by her in-law’s command, my mother had knelt down- an exercise that is normally considered strenuous, especially during the last phase of pregnancy. This led to serve medical complications. She was rushed to the hospital. After the initial check ups, the doctors declared both the mother and the baby dead. But who can predict the intervention of the Divine Hand? My mother still remembers just two scenes from that incident --- One of having given birth to a girl child, and the other of Bhagawan Himself conducting the operation. Indeed, this is a blessed life I have received from the Lord Himself. On that auspicious day of Buddha Poornima, we- my mother and I – had received the gift of life from Sai Buddha Himself.
4. This happened long back when I sat with my balvikas guru on the holy sands of Prashanti Nilayam to have the darshan of the Divine One. There was a lady sitting beside me with her daughter. The girl was almost of my age. Nature had played a cruel trick on her. She was blind. I felt very sorry for her, and kept gazing at her. Lost in the thoughts of the strange dark life she must be leading, I did not notice that Swami had approached where we had been sitting. Even before I could realize it, He passed by, and stood before that girl. Bending in front of a little, He asked the girl, “What color is my robe?” At this the poor girl could not say a thing. Swami created vibhuti, and sprinkled it on her eyes, and repeated the same question. To my astonishment, immediately the girl replied in a choked voice, “Orange Swami.”
5. The Sai Kulwant Hall was packed with devotees. All of us were waiting for our dear Lord to bless us with His presence. The divine music started and Swami entered the hall, with pure affection on His face. Suddenly, He called us students to the prayer hall for an interview! We rushed in with bated breath and somehow managed to fit into the prayer hall. Whispers filled the hall, but as soon as our Dear Beloved Mother Sai entered, there was pin drop silence. His beautiful smile indicated that - “It is good to see you all here.” Swami glanced at each one of us, and as we eagerly waited for our Mother's words, He called our warden and made her sit next to him. He asked her softly, “Is everything fine in the hostel? Take care of My children. They are My everything.” I was lucky enough to be sitting in the front row, just in front of Swami's Lotus feet.
Suddenly, He looked at me, gazed through my eyes for a minute and then turned towards the warden and scolded her for not taking care of us! Swami turned towards me again, and asked me a question that left me perplexed. “Bangaru, what did you have for lunch today?” Having skipped lunch that day, I was now in a soup - I couldn't lie to Swami and if I spoke the truth, my warden would take care of this issue later. I somehow gathered courage, and said, “Swami, I didn't have lunch today.” Swami then turned to our warden and said in His divine sweet voice, “See I told you, you don't take care of My children properly. Look at her; how weak she has become. My children shouldn't be like this.” And then, with a loving smile and motherly affection, He turned towards me and said, “Please take care of yourself, dear. Eat properly and study well. Get a good name for your parents. That is the gift you can give Me.” My eyes filled with tears. I thought to myself, “Oh! Lord of the Universe! We have been bestowed with the best things by You and You ask me only for such a small token of love?” Such is the selfless love in our Dear Mother's heart…
6. An Australian school teacher was at the Ashram of Swami and decided to follow the highest path that she would not leave the ashram without Baba's permission. She had before arriving in India signed a contract for her first year as a school teacher in Australia.
As the time of her departure approached Baba did not give permission. Day after day went by... but she obeyed. Finally, 3 weeks into the term, she received permission... and quickly left the ashram, boarded the plane... deplaned in Sydney... and rushed to her school and into the principal's office. As she excitedly told her story, the principal said to her: I don't know what you are talking about. You've been here the whole time.
7. As youth we should transform ourselves by correcting the faults that each one has in us. It is difficult but worth a try. While walking on the sea shore, sometimes there was only one footprint, but this time it is not that swami was carrying me, it was that I was tempted by the calm sea to go inside it to enjoy the coolness of the water .But HE patiently waited for me to return from the calm sea and to join him in the journey. It is strange that it was my journey through life but god waited for me to join HIM. At this point I would like to narrate an incident which I can never forget in my life. This happened during my 17th birthday. Swami usually blessed me on my birthday but that year he just turned his back on me and walked away. I did not understand the reason for this, but I knew that I had done something that has made him sad. I thought over and finally understood that I had risen in front of the gathering in spite of him personally telling us not to rise when he came near us. I had disobeyed His command unknowingly and had to bear the brunt of it all. After realizing this, I prayed to him for my ignorance and for HIS forgivance too.
The next day when I went for darshan, swami came directly in front of me and gave me a huge smile, assuring me of my prayer. So a simple lesson of obedience learnt in a hard way.
8. On 30th of March, 2006, swami decided to have the grihapravesh ceremony for the yajur mandiram built newly. He wanted all his children to be there in Parthi. So exams were proponed. We reached parthi and were wonderstruck with the preparations he was making for us. Swami was arranging a feast for all of us!! So few students were selected to serve the food and I was luckily one of them. The next day we were taken to the poorna chandra auditorium. I was busy doing the service duty. I came to the front of the hall to get something. Suddenly there was hush around me and I realized that swami was coming out. He came down the slope and stood directly in front of me. He summoned me near him. I did not expect that at all. HE told me “do your DUTY”. At that moment I did not know how to react at all. He looked deeply in to my eyes and again said” do your DUTY”. I realized that what he told me was for my whole life and not for that moment of serving food. So let us do our duty correctly and leave the fruit to god .He said the same thing in the BHAGWAT GITA to Arjuna that one must do their duty and leave the fruit of the action to GOD.