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For the celebrations of the 75th year of the advent of Sai Avatar, tens of millions of pilgrims would be congregating at Prasanthi Nilayam (India) to experience the physical presence of the Divine Teacher, to offer their collective love, to hear the voice of the Universal Absolute and to embark on a noble, selfless sacred task of transforming themselves, their countries, and the world for the better. Let us all join in the sacred task of celebrating the dawn of a Global Spiritual Harmony. The programme has commenced on November 1st with service activities in the villages near and around Puttaparthi by the students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher learning (Deemed University). distribution of food and clothes to the needy village folk is being carried out. It is proposed to launch a Scheme for comprehensive development of children/families who are utterly poor and destitute by providing housing, literacy, education & health care. On November 18th, the inauguration of the new Millennium Museum "Chaitanya Jyothi" will take place. This Museum building is based on Chinese architecture and depicts the life of Bhagavan Baba and the contributions made by Him over the years for the betterment of Mankind. The exhibits in the Museum use the latest multimedia and computer aided techniques. On the same day, Rathotsavam festival will be celebrated. November 19th will be observed as Ladies day and will highlight the contributions of women all over the world in social and spiritual activities. There will be a variety of cultural programmes. The new Music College with its distinctive buildings in the form of musical instruments, will be inaugurated on November 20th in the morning. This latest addition to the educational complex at Prashanti Nilayam will impart instructions in various styles of classical and folk music, and will also include a museum of traditional musical instruments from all over the world. On November 20th, in the afternoon, the 7th World Conference of Sri Sathya Sai Organizations will be inaugurated. This will have delegates from more than 165 countries and all the States of Idia. The conference is timely as timely as it is being held at the beginning of the 21st century and will chart out the role of the Organization in the ever expanding Mission of Bhagavan Baba. The conference will be spread over four days. On November 22nd, the annual convocation of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning will be held. Shri Murali Manohar Josh, Union Minister of Human Resources, will deliver the convocation address. On November 23rd, the Birthday celebrations of Bhagavan B aba will take place and a large congregation is expected to gather. An international rally of youth will take place on the occasion. During the period November 15th to 23rd cultural programmes including those by the children of Sathya Sai Bal Vikas will be presented. Arrangements are being made to look after the very large influx of devotees that is expected, the new railway station "Sri Sathya Sai Prashanthi Nilayam" will be of great help to devotees from far off places to reach Puttaparthi.
CODE OF CONDUCT AT PRASHAANTHI NILAYAM The restrictions, rules and self-controls are the royal road leading to the goal of self-realisation. They are not just to bind you, to limit or control you. Do not fret against the rules and regulations which the organisation imposes on you; they are laid down for your own good. Regulation is the very essence of creation. The ocean observe their limits and bounds. The human body has to maintain its warmth at 30c in order to be healthy, and the heart has to beat at a definite number of times a minute. BABA To help devotees in their Sadhana (spiritual efforts) for developing Divine Love and for realising their inherent Divinity, certain guidelines and code of conduct haven been laid down for devotees as part of the discipline necessary for the purpose, so that during their stay in the Ashram, they may realise and use the nearness of Bhagawan Baba for furthering their progress in the Sadhana.
After reaching the Mandir please wait for the signal of permission from the Seva Dal Volunteer to form the lines. Do not push. Observe Silence while sitting to pick up tokens. Use the time beneficially by reading spiritual literature or Namasmarana (uttering the name of the Lord continuously). Let your eyes not wander to other people and their actions. Retain the same attitude of mind. After you have entered the Darshan Hall, sit quietly in a posture of comfort but always with consideration for those around you. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain control over the mind and develop a meditative attitude.
To do seva or service is a natural desire that arises in the minds of most devotees. Seva is truly, love in action. Opportunities for seva are likely to exist in the Indian and Western Canteens and the Bakery. You may approach the concerned persons. Doctors and Paramedical Staff may directly contact the Directors of the General Hospital or the Super Speciality Hospital. A word about the Seva Dal Volunteers who adorn the precincts of the Ashram conspicuous with their Blue and Yellow scarves. They come from the several Sai Samithis of the country and from various walks of life. The Samithis select them for such volunteer work as is assigned to them in the Ashram for a period of seven to fifteen days. They are an invaluable task force comprising of dedicated, selfless volunteers of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation.
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE AND FOREIGNERS' REGISTRATION This is located below the Poorna Chandra Auditorium, opposite to the Indian Canteens as you enter from the Main Gate (Gopuram). enquiries regarding all matters pertaining to the Ashram may be made here. Foreigners are required to report here for registration. This office is open from 6.00 A.M. to 9.00 P.M.
ACCOMMODATION FOR OVERSEAS DEVOTEES Foreigners must proceed to the Public Relations Office first, an extension counter of which is located beside West Prashaanthi-2. Registration of passports is done here for the convenience of handling large numbers, parking and unloading. Registration of passports is a mandatory (government) requirement and involves checking of visas, date of entry into India, age, marital status and record of previous visits. A passport size photograph has also to be produced (those under 18 exempted) at least by the next day. Young men and Women below 25 years of age are not permitted to stay in the Ashram alone, unless they arrive in a group or with their family. They may however participate in all the programmes : Darshans, Bhajans, use canteens, shops, etc. devotees staying outside are not to join the groups inside. After registration, go to the Accommodation office for the assignment of rooms and thereafter occupy them. Cooking is not permitted except where there are separate kitchens. Beds and mattresses are not provided in all rooms. You are required to make your own arrangements for these either by hiring or purchasing from outside.
SRI SATHYA SAI SEVA ORGANISATION OFFICE The Central Office of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation office located in the EHV Building (next to the Shopping Complex across the road) attends to the work of coordination of the activities of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations in India and Overseas with the Organisations and an International Chairman in charge. Overseas and an All India President in charge of the Indian Organisations. The overseas organisations consists of 15 regions, each region covering one or more countries with a Central Coordinator for each region, and a Central Council or Coordinating Committee in each country to supervise and coordinate the activities of the various centres or groups in that country. The Indian Organisation consists of a State President for each State. the Sai Organisations in the different countries carry on Spiritual activities such as Bhajans, Lectures, Seminars, etc, educational and seva activities with Spirituality as the base and core. At present there are 155 overseas countires having Sri Sathya Sai devotees covering about 1900 Sai Centres and groups. In India, the several States cover, over 6000 Sai Samithis and groups. Please enquire at this office for further information, between 10.00 A.M. and 12.00 Noon.
Donations to Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust of Sri Sathya Sai Medical Trust can be made in the branch of the State Bank of India located inside the Ashram in the Shopping Complex. Before going to the Bank, the necessary form has to be obtained and filled in the Central Trust Office next to the Accommodation Office. No other agency or individual is authorised to receive any donation inside or outside the Ashram on any account.
This Office is located at the eastern end of the Indian Canteen near the gopuram Gate. It is open 24 hours a day. In case of emergency devotees can seek the help of this office. A First Aid Box and Stretchers are available here. Small Vibhuti (Sacred Ash) Packets, blessed by Bhagawan Baba, may be collected from the Security Office as Prasad before leaving Prashanthi Nilayam. Devotees are requested to cooperate with the volunteers on duty in maintaining the discipline and peaceful atmosphere of the Ashram. Right of admission to Pranshanthi Nilayam is reserved.
SRI SATHYA SAI BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS TRUST This office is located above the Book Stall and entertains books written in english and in various Indian languages. Books in foreign languages are also accepte on donation, for sale under the following terms and conditions. Manuscripts or books on Bhagawan Baba may be presented and accepted in to or with minor changes, deletions, etc. if agreeable to the author. The copyright will be reserved by the Trust Books if brought by either overseas or Indian devotees as printed books, will scrutinised by the Books & Publications Trust before acceptance as donation. Under the consignment scheme, books from Indians only will be accepted after approval. he decision of the Committee nominated by the Trust will be final in all matters.
Sanathana Sarathi, the monthly magazine of the Ashram (English and Telugu) are available at the office adjacent to the Book Stall. Subscriptions can be made in cash for Inland Editions at the ground floor and for Overseas editions, in the first floor of the Books & Publications Trust Office. It can also be paid by Money Order or Bank Draft made in the name of "The Convener, Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust, Prashanthi Nilayam."
Books on Bhagawan Baba written by Indian and Overseas devotees and books containing His discourses and writings are available in the Book Stall, alongside the Accommodation Office. It is open from 8.30 A.M. to 11.30 A,M. and from 3.30 P.M. to 7.00 P.M. Books in original and translations written in several Indian and Overseas languages are displayed at the windows. Bulk orders for books can be made in the Office of the Books and Publication Trust on the first floor of the Book Stall.
The Shopping Complex, located behind Round Building - 1 has the following departments: bakery, cool drinks, ice-cream, fruits and vegetables, groceries, stationery. Photographs, textiles and garments, cassettes and other sundry items. The shops are open from 9.30 A.M. to 11.30 A.M. and 6.00 P.M. to 7.30 P.M. (in the first floor, mornings for women and evenings for men). Avoid shopping outside except for essential items, sometimes not available inside, like fruits and vegetables.
Electrical, plumbing, water supply an similar problems may be reported to this office locate in the Tool Room, at the southern end of West Block III. It is open from 7.30 A.M. to 1.00 P.M. and from 2.00 P.M. to 8.00 P.M.
There is the Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital adjacent to the Ganesh Gate on the right towards the Southern side easily accessible from the Ashram. The Casualty Department is open all 24 hours. The Out-Patient Department functions from 8.00 A.M. to 11.00 A.M. and from 3.00 P.M. to 4.45 P.M. It has a limited number of beds in the wards for very sick patients. It has also Maternity and Dental Departments. Serious cases of Cardiology, Urology, Nephrology and Opthalmology are referred to the Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital which is 7 kms. away from the Ashram. Do not patronise impostors, quacks and spurious agents for Indian therapies outside. Certain persons, expecially foreigners, are found to parade as practitioners of some 'holistic' therapy or as healers with special powers supposedly delegated by Bhagawan Baba. Bhagawan has repeatedly made it clear in His discourses that He never delegates His powers to anyone. Such activities are strictly prohibited.
For the benefit of overseas devotees, an orientation talk is given everyday at 8.00 A.M. for an hour in the Lecture Hall in East Prashaanthi, opposite Sai Kulwant Hall. All foreign devotees are expected to attend this lecture the day after their arrival regardless of the number of their previous visits. The principal guidelines and code of conduct will be explained. You will find it a useful service as there is always something new to learn or share. Although most of your questions are anticipated, you may yet have some doubts to clear.
Talks on Spiritual subject will be delivered almost every day between 10.00A.M. and 11.00A.M. in the EHV Building near Shopping Complex by eminent lecturers.
ASHRAM POSTAL COUNTER - TELEPHONES There is a Postal Counter for limited transactions, opposite Round Building - 5 which has also a computerised telephone facility for local, inland and overseas calls. The Ashram Postal Counter is open from 8.00A.M. to 11.30 A.M., 2.30 P.M. to 3.00 P.M. and 6.30 P.M. to 7.30 P.M. The telephones are operated from 5.00 A.M. to 10.00 P.M.
Bus bookings may be made at the computerised Bus Terminal, near the Police Station for places like the nearest railhead at Dharmavaram and other cities like, Anantapur, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai. Please check with the Bus Counter for right timings and advance reservations. A Railway ticket booking counter adjoining the Bus ticket booking counter in the same building, which is also computerised, provides advance reservation from and to all cities in India. Nearest boarding point is Dharmavaram and 45 Kms. away. Separate tables showing Bus and Train timings, distance, fare, etc, are listed at the end. A Railway Reservation Chart is displayed beside the ladies cloak room inside the Ashram.
The massive drinking water projects for needy village and towns became a reality when Bhagawan inaugurated the scheme for the chronically drought stricken people. The salient features of this drinking water project in Rayalaseema region are as follows: 1. No. of Villages Covered 731 2. Population Benefited 9 lakh (present) (Designed Population 12.50 lakhs) 3. Project Cost Rs. 250-300 Crores 4. Pipelines 2500 km. 5. No. of Overhead Tanks 268 6. No. of Ground Level Reservoirs 145 7. No. of Booster Stations 56 8. No. of Summer Storage Tanks 8 9. No. of Infiltration Wells 20 10. No of Borewells 280 Medak and Mahabubnagar, drought affected districts of Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh State are also blessed by Bhagawan for the drinking water projects this year. The salient features of which are as under: 1. No. of Villages 270 2. Length of Pipelines to be Laid 900 km. 3. No. of Treatment Plants to be covered 9 4. No. of Ground Level Reservoirs and Sumps 65 5. Approximate Cost Rs. 66 Crore. Sri Sathya Sai Baba has established hospitals, elementary and secondary schools, colleges, a major University in India and Super Speciality Hospitals, all of which provide services without charge. He has the world's one of the best voluntary organisation and has inspired the creation of thousands of centres through out the world whose members practice his spiritual teachings and engage in a variety of community service activities.
AN INSIGHT INTO HUMAN VALUES PROGRAMME The Sri Sathya Sai 3HV Education for Human Excellence is a unique curricalum inspired by Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the World Teacher whom manking looks up to as the Universal Purifier of the modern age. This educational programme is both universal and secular in character, for people of all faiths, all over the world, as it has its foundation in the Divinity of Man. The curriculum has its beginnings over 30 years ago in the Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Programme, a value-oriented educational programme of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation. Since then, it has evolved in a systematic manner an is being used extensively in over 100 countries, besides India. Institute of Sathya Sai Education. The Institute of Sathya Sai education was established in orer to promote the ideals of Sathya Sai Education in Primary an Secondary schools, colleges and universities. The aim of this method of education is to develop human excellence or good character along the academic achievement. In other words, the all-round development of the child. In order to speed up the establishment of Sathya Sai Schools and the adoption of schools, as well as introducing Sathya Sai Education Human Values in schools, colleges and universities in as many countries as possible, it it necessary to have more experienced trainers, who can conduct training seminars for school teachers. Hence, Regional Institutes of Sathya Sai Education have been set up in various countries. The Sri Sathya Sai International Institute for Education in Human Values, Thailand was set up on 17th May, 1998. The Institute in India was established in 1999 by the Sri Sathya Sai Education in Human Values Trust, Mumbai. The African Institute of Sathya Sai Education was launched on 1st January 2000. Both the Indian and African regional institutes are affiliate to the Institute in Thailand. Many countries have also established their own branch of the Institute. Their responsibilities extend to the training of teachers and the establishment of new Sathya Sai Schools other than those adopted, and which are affiliate to Quality Control under "Value 2000" Accreditation Programme, have been established in the following countries (excluding India): - NSW, Australia. Perth, Australia. Brazil. Toronto, Canada. - Fiji. Bengkulu, Indonesia. Kisaju, Kenya. Mauritius. Nepal. - Pililia, Philippines. Sri Lanka. Lanasia, S. Africa. Newcastle, S. Africa. - New Lands (W), S. Africa. Taiwan. Thailand. Greater Hartford, U.S.A. - Zambia.
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