BALVIKAS ALUMNI AND GROUP 3 STUDENTS MEET AT PRASHANTHI NILAYAM SPEAKER : DR KEKE MISTRY If we have roof over our heads, food in the plate, we are richer than 75% of people in the world. One of the most important qualities we need to have is ‘Gratitude’. Swami says: When you see, see with my eyes, when you walk, walk with my legs…….. Swami’s eyes saw the poor, thirsty, sick… He saw a need for medical services in the villages, water for the thirsty…….and he started the Super speciality Hospitals and the Water project and the University! We too need to look at the world with Sai eyes! George Bernard Shaw said, “Change yourself and you can change the world” (He proceeded to tell the story of the violin with 4 strings. While cleaning the violin, 3 of the strings broke. However with the last string, the most beautiful, and soulful music was played. This last string is the most important string in our lives, which is the string of ‘Self-confidence’ or ‘atma vishwas’) Story: Lakshmi Mittal’s father wanted to build a steel plant. When he visited the site, he saw sevareal people doing different work like mixing cement, cutting wood etc. When he asked them what they were doing, one person said that he was mixing cement, many others replied similarly. However one man said that he was engaged in the task of making the best steel plant in the world. This man was selected to become the Foreman as he had the larger vision in mind. Whatever we do, let’s always keep the total picture in mind! (Sri Keike Mistry then recited the inspiring poem ‘Anyway’) Mother Teresa’s Anyway Poem (a poem she had lived)People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;Give the world the best you’ve got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;It was never between you and them anyway. SPEAKER: NIKHIL KAUSHIK(balvikas alumni)He shared the purpose of the All India Balvikas Meet. Imagine if we enter a shop full of lanterns. Is there any use if there is not light within it? Similarly our lives are like the lanterns and Swami has lit the light of ‘Akhand Jyothi’ within us. Sai’s jyothi is the light of love and human values; we need to keep it burning eternally and keep spreading this light! We can make this jyothi akhand only by ensuring and involving as many people as possible in the the ‘balvikas’ movement and continuing to be a part of the Divine Mission. SPEAKER: DR SANJAY SAHANI (DIRECTOR OF BRINDAVAN CAMPUS)He spoke about how lucky we are to be in the wonderful poornachandra auditorium where Swami has conducted innumerable Yagnas and delivered countless discourses, where every slab of stone has been blessed with Swami’s sparshan! Open University: “The story of the Lord is the story of His devotees. Bhagawatham cannot be called so if there was no Prahlada. When Prahlada talked about the 9 paths of worshipping Lord Narayana to his father, the enraged Hiranyakashipu asked Prahlad’s teachers, who taught him this? The teachers replied fearfully that Prahlad learnt this in Narada’s Open university. (when prahlad was in in his mother’s womb and heard Narada’s rendering of the Lord’s glory). Sri Sathya Sai Balvikas is Swami’s Open University. The best teaching one can get here is to center our lives on GOD! Swami started the balvikas even earlier than 1969 when he was in Karnam Subbamma’s house and composed numerous songs on human values like ‘Sathya dharmamu shanthi premaluko……). Swami started emphasising the benefits of human values when he was a lad of 16 years!” God’s weakness: During the 25th anniversary of Dharmakshetra, Mumbai, Sri Sanjay Sahani spoke about the highlights of Sai Education, in front of Swami. He mentioned how prayer was an integral part of students’ life in the campus.. He then made a risky statement, ‘Prayer is devotees’ greatest strength and God’s only weakness’. With a great deal of fear that Swami would be angry at this bold statement, he glanced back at Swami. However swami said nothing! During lunch Swami said 2 words, ‘Good thoughts’ and again 2 words, ‘God’s weakness’ and looked at him, thus proving beyond doubt the truth of those words! After that Sri Sanjay Sahani never hesitated to speak about the power of prayer and that it truly was God’s weakness! Story: “We all have learnt to chant Brahmarpanam before meals. Once Swami had sent ice-creams to the brindavan boys. Next day when swami enquired about it, He said, ‘No one gave me any ice-creams’. (implying that not one of them, incl the teachers had remembered to offer to Swami before eating their ice-cream)” Thus Swami emphasised the importance of offering all our food, thoughts and actions to Swami. Sri Sanjay sahani also proceeded to share the story of a students who attempted to be silent throughout the day (Mounam) and how swami encouraged him. “I offer the degree of Divine Love: Swami once gave a discourse to the students where he spoke about the different degrees they all get once they complete their education. He said that I will give you the degree of ‘Divine Love’ once you study five subjects. The subjects are: The five Ds. DEDICATION: Whatever you do, offer it to God. During the 70th birthday celebrations, I asked my sister what she had brought for Swami. She replied that she had brought all her sins

India Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Group III and Alumni Convention All India Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Group III and Alumni Convention Sunday, January 8th, 2012A convention for the all India Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Group III and Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Alumni was held in Prasanthi Nilayam on the 7th and 8th of Jan 2012. Over two thousand Balvikas Children, Alumni and Gurus from across India assembled here for the meet. The programme commenced on 7th morning at 1030hrs at Poornachandra Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam with the lighting of the lamp by Dr. Keki Mistry, Trustee, Sri Sathya Sai Trust, Maharashtra. He was accompanied on the stage by Sri S. V. Giri, Sri Sanjay Sahani and Sri Nimish Pandya. Sri R J Ratnakar was also present at the function. In his inaugural address, Dr. Keki Mistry laid great stress on Atma Vishwas, confidence in one self. Recounting beautiful memories with Bhagawan, he walked the delegates through the history of Bal Vikas. His succinct talk was well suited for the occasion. Sri Nikhil Koushik, a Balvikas alumnus, spoke next on the purpose and objectives of the meet. Thereafter, two melodius group theme songs with good background scores, Akhanda Jyot Jalao and Sai Kiran Jalate Chal, were presented by the delegates. Around 11.30 am Sri Sanjay Sahani, Director, Sri Sathya Sai Institute Of Higher Learning, addressed the delegates and spoke on the importance of the 5 D’s. His talk was full of personal experiences with Bhagawan and it was a treat for all those who were present. Sweet orations by children and Alumni and some wonderful music lit up the evening. The programme compered by Sri Nikhil Kaushik began at 1700hrs. There were group songs and theme talks by delegates of Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Group III and Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Alumni. The speakers for the evening Ms. Samarpita Bannerjee, Sri. Parikshit Kohli and Ms. Radhika Mathur gave wonderful talks making it very clear the values that Bal Vikas has developed in these young men and women. Delegates from Kerala presented an innovative Fusion Instrumental Music entitled Naada Laya while alumni delegates from Karnataka and Maharashtra presented a vocal concert titled “Sri Sathya Sai Mahima”. Ms. Jyoti who has sung before Bhagawan earlier sang a few classical melodious Bhajans. The second day of the conference of the All India Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Group III and Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Alumni programme, commenced at 10:23 am at Poornachandra Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam. After the inspiring address by Sri Keki Mistry, Ms. Yunita Pandey and Ms. Shrunkala narrated to the assembled delegates how Bal Vikas helped them in their lives. Thereafter, two melodius group theme songs, antar jyoti jalao man me and Sai the Lord of our heart, were presented by the delegates. Dr. Shashank Shah of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning spoke about ten-point programme for spiritual growth, and was very well received by the delegates. His topics highlighted mainly on Karma, Janma, Dharma and Brahma. Alumni student Master Bhaskar played “chitta chora yashoda ke bal…” on the flute while Kum. Madhavi narrated a Hindi poetry. Sri Nimish Pandya gave the concluding address and reminded all the delegates that Bhagawan was their only True Friend. Arati was offered at 12:45 pm. The evening programme compered by Sri Anush Mohan started at 1700hrs with two group songs. This was followed by talks by delegates, sister Mandevi from Madhya Pradesh and brother Arjun Suresh from Tamil Nadu. A Compendium of articles by Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Alumni titled “Blossoming Human Excellence” containing 17 articles from Bal Vikas students from different parts of India, was released and offered at the Sanctum Sanctorum. Outstanding Alumni of Sri Sathya Sai Balvikas were felicitated with achievement awards followed by the unveiling of Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Logo. Sri Nimish Pandya introduced Sri Satyajit, a Balvikas Prodigy from Kerala who gave a confident oration followed by Veda Chanting and Bhajan Singing. The performance earned a thundering applause for the tiny tot which lasted for several minutes. A recording from Bhagawan’s discourse inspiring the Balvikas children to practice incessantly the values learnt inspired the delegates. The programme concluded with an impressive instrumental presentation by delegates from Chennai. Bhagawan singing “Hari bhajana bina sukha santhi nahi…” brought down the curtain on the immensely successful two day convention. Mementos were distributed to all the delegates with special gifts for the performers. It was indeed an event to remember for all. All India Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Group III and Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Alumni – Morning Programme – 8th January, 2012. The second day of the conference of the All India Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Group III and Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Alumni programme, on January 8, 2012, at Poornachandra Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam, started at 10.25 am and ended around 12.45 pm. At 10.25 am Dr. Keki Mistry, Trustee, Sri Sathya Sai Trust, Maharashtra, once again regaled the delegates with wonderful time spent with Bhagawan. He also spoke about the story of the “Bamboo Shoot”. It takes time for the roots to be strong. Take a shoot of this rare species of bamboo and plant it in fertile soil.” “Wait for a whole year,” he continued, “and you will be disappointed. For the bamboo shoot will still look the same as the day when you planted it inspite of all the manures, fertilizers and watering the plant. Unlike most plants, it will still sit in the ground, dormant, waiting – for just the right time.” It is only in the sixth year that the plant starts appearing. “Love is that bamboo shoot,” Dr. Keki Mistry said. The foundation for which can take what appears to be a long, long time, but when the time is right, it will grow very fast, blossom as it were to full maturity and potential. There were two melodious group theme songs sung today1. Antar Jyoti jalao man me.2. Sai the