Annual Sports and Cultural Meet 2006

[Guest guest]

Nilayam, Brindavan and Anantapur Campuses under the divine guidance of Revered

Chancellor, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Like the bygone years, this year too,

the event had all the richness of quality, colour, exuberance, enthusiasm,

valour, courage, balance and skill. Being the 25th year of the Institute's

formation, the students and staff extended a warm welcome to everyone present

in the Hill View stadium. Bhagawan arrived in the stadium in a sparkling yellow

robe at 8.00 a.m. "The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here",

was the announcement made in the Public Address system. Truly, with Bhagawan in

our midst, there cannot be a happier moment. Crimson caparisoned Sai Geeta,

Bhagawan's dear elephant led the

procession followed by the escort team comprising students in motor bikes

entered the stadium as the band troupe of the Anantapur campus played sonorous

notes. Midway through the stadium, the Prasanthi Nilayam campus brass band

stirred up a lively note when the contingent of Lion dancers welcomed Bhagawan.

Bhagawan was received in the dais by the wardens and principals of the three

campuses. At 8.10 a.m., Bhagawan lighted the ceremonial lamp to mark the

commencement of the proceedings. Then tiny tots from the Primary school came to

the dais to offer their obeisance to Bhagawan. The march past parade

commenced with students from Sri Sathya Sai Primary School in their regal

attire marching sprightly to the beats of the brass band of

Prasanthi Nilayam campus. They were followed by the girls section of Sri Sathya

Sai Primary School. It was then the turn of students from the Anantapur campus

of the Institute, followed by students from Sri Sathya Sai Junior college,

Anantapur. Marching contingents from Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School,

Prasanthi Nilayam, Brindavan campus of the Institute, Prasanthi Nilayam campus,

Sri Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music and Postgraduate students' squad from

Prasanthi Nilayam campus of the Institute followed suit. Finally ringing up the

rear of the parade was the award winning squad from the Prasanthi Nilayam and

Brindavan campus of the Institute. A special squad of the Institute brought the

Institute flag to be hoisted by the Revered Chancellor, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai

Baba. The Institute captain then read out the oath which was repeated by all

the

students. A part of it is reproduced for the benefit of readers. "We, the

children of Sai will take part in the Sports Meet in true spirit of

sportsmanship, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them for the

glory of sport, nation and our beloved Mother Sai." Bhagawan lighted the

torch and released pigeons and balloons to mark the happy occasion. A song

which ran as follows was played in the background: "Flame of truth, flame of

joy, flame of peace…" as students in pairs carried the torch to the mascot of

this year's sports meet, Peacock which lit the sports meet urn at the Hanuman

hilltop. Education is about building men of character. The students of Sai

are in the society, for the society, but not of the society. With these words,

an impressive display of

items was presented by the students of Prasanthi Nilayam. A revolving tower with

the words, Purity, Patience and Perseverance was displayed in the background

which formed the theme of their presentation. Huge figures on stilts

representing diverse sections of society added colour to the occasion. A medley

of dance and martial arts followed. The Prasanthi Lions displayed their grit and

determination with daredevilry coupled with aesthetic flavour. Lion dance, which

is famous in China and the Far East was displayed with dexterity by the

students. What takes months to learn was mastered by these students in a few

days. Dancing to the lively beats, the Prasanthi Lions offered their obeisance

to Bhagawan. Then a breathtaking feat of pillar crossover, as it is called in

Chinese parlance was achieved with perfection. Activity is the only passport

to happiness. What followed was symmetric movement on poles. The focus of

attention then shifted to two giant wheels each weighing two tonnes each. The

performing students saluted Bhagawan from atop the wheel. Feats like hanging

with their head downwards, headstand, Padmasana and Chakrasana were performed

from the giant wheels with adroitness. Bend the body, mend the mind and end the

senses. A scintillating display of acrobatics like snooping nosedive, acrobatics

on rings, on cartwheels and jumping over fire was displayed by the students.

Playing drums with ease and exchanging drums without missing a beat was the

next performance. Huge flags were swayed in the background. When the going

gets tough, only the tough gets going. Students climbed smooth slippery logs of

wood and performed various Asanas. Calling themselves Delta Force Warriors,

these indomitable warriors made rhythmic movements. The next performance was

display of Yogasanas with Siva Tandava dance in the background. A delightful

mix of items followed – shooting balloons in the air, balancing on moving

wheels, dunking of basketball in the basket with hurdles at every step and

forming pyramids was displayed in the performing area. At the end of the

performance, the staff of Prasanthi Nilayam campus marched to the performing

area carrying flags while students carried beautiful portraits and sets used

during the performance. They converged to pay their heartfelt obeisance to

Bhagawan. The last programme of the morning session was presented by the

students of Anantapur campus of the Institute. The theme of their presentation

was Unity of Religions. "Religions are many but goal is one. Clothes are many,

but yarn is one. Jewels are many, but gold is one. Cows are many, but milk is

one. Beings are many, but breath is one. Stars are many, but sky is one.

Castes are many, but humanity is one.Let us all move together, let us all

grow together, Let us all stay united and grow in intelligence together Let us

live together with friendship and harmony." A lively performance of gymnastics

followed. Acrobats performing gymnastics on top of jeeps like Sarvangasana,

lotus formation, students perched on the sides of a pole performing chakrasana

while a student made a flying fish appearance on the top of the pole,

cartwheel, headstand, Christmas tree formation, Dhanur Asana, revolving on

stick, were some of the feats performed with dexterity, skill and balance by

the students of Anantapur campus. Truly, the students should be having nerves

of steel and muscles of iron to perform these feats. Of course, their love for

Bhagawan and His grace of Bhagawan has made such stupendous feats possible. The

next item was flag march with flags of various hues. The last item of their

performance was a dance coupled with rhythmic movements on hoops. Students

strapped huge beautiful butterflies on their bodies and performed an undulating

dance. Unity leads to purity and purity to divinity was their motto. All the

students assembled to pay their obeisance to Bhagawan. Thus, ended a memorable

morning programme. In the evening, Bhagawan arrived in the stadium at 4.00

p.m. The Primary School students gave a unique welcome to Bhagawan. As

Bhagawan's car was nearing the stage, a few students clinging one on another

walked ahead of the car giving an appearance of contortionists. After Bhagawan

reached the dais, tiny tots offered bouquets to Him. The first item of their

performance was a dance by primary school girls welcoming Bhagawan with the

song, "Prasanthi Vasa Swagatam, Puttaparthi Pureesa Swagatam, Swagatam,

Suswagatam." Suddenly hordes of Vanara army came out of shells and swarmed the

performing area with mace in their hands. They

performed a lively dance and opened scrolls of Bhagawan's picture signifying

they have Bhagawan in their heart of hearts. The climax was the entry of Rama

and Lakshmana amidst the Vanara hordes. The students displayed wonderful

show of skill and balance through their gymnastic performance. Christening

themselves Sai Wheels, three students catching each other rolled on the ground

giving the appearance of a wheel. They also offered Pranams to Bhagawan by

admirably balancing one on another. There was a virtual riot of colours when

students in their yellow dress with lamps in front of them performed a dance.

Then the students performed a lively dance in their dazzling silver and blue

dresses. A group of roller skaters performed heroic

stunts on skates like jumping one over the other, crossing obstacles on skates.

Their performance left the audience in amazement at their skill and perfection.

The Primary School students too like their seniors did wonderful feats on the

slippery poles. They made beautiful formations, precariously balancing

themselves on stomach on top of the pole, balancing head downwards and sliding

in the same direction. The feat of balancing on the pole with legs and holding

a flag won repeated plaudits from the audience. The next item was a dance by

tiny tots in their sparkling yellow dress with large flowers strapped on their

bodies. The items kept coming one after another like a cascade. Dexterous

balancing on ropes was the next item. Hanging with head downwards, Shavasana on

ropes from a great height, somersaulting on ropes were some of the feats

performed by the students. And what not, a human hoop was formed and boys

started jumping through the hoop. The last item was a dance by Primary School

girls dressed as angels and in dresses representing clouds. Their breathtaking

performance ended with final formation of all the students offering obeisance

to Bhagawan. A touching song was played in the background: "We all have come to

sing. We love you dear Sai. Having found such loving God, we have only to rise

and shine." As the Primary School students were leaving the performing area,

the students of Sri Sathya Sai Deenajanoddharana Pathakam were getting ready

with their performance. This particular project was taken over by Bhagawan as

He is the refuge of the forlorn.

Bhagawan has given them food, raiment and shelter and also deposited 1 lakh

rupees for each boy. They are educated with the latest technology including

training in computers. Their performance was christened Chadarang – a form of

warfare where transformation is achieved without elimination, the enemy is

subdued without killing. A war ensues between black soldiers on one hand

whose only goal is annihilation and are the symbol of egoism and white

soldiers. Discrimination is better than valour. Forgive and forget is the

watchword. At the end, the white king forgives the black king and there is

peace. A song "Love is God, love is life, love is everything is played in the

background. Then one of the inmates of the Ashram narrates their

deplorable condition before coming under the loving care of Bhagawan. Bhagawan

has taken them in His fold and has given them food, raiment and shelter. He

also gave instances how some inmates were cured of Tuberculosis and Cancer

completely. They are able to read, write and sing Bhajans. To top it all, he

said that an inmate is even going to join B.Sc (Information Technology). The

last group to perform for the day was from the Brindavan campus of the

Institute. Strength and valour, beauty and grace – these were the hallmarks of

their programme. The first item was Dragon dance. Tone the body to realise the

goal of life. The dragon's pursuit of the pearl symbolises the humanity's

untiring pursuit of perfection in life. The dance requires

team work, agility and strength of arms. Swirling the dragon throughout the

performing area, they performed the dance with aplomb, winning time and again

applause from the audience. The next performance was a medley of different

types of martial arts like Kalaripaitu, Karate, Kettukadi (stick fight) and

fight with mace. Kalaripaitu is the martial art from the State of Kerala.

Efficient swordsmanship is the pinnacle of Kalaripaitu. The artiste requires

agility and strength for this martial art. According to legend this martial art

was brought by Parasurama to earth. The martial art began with Pranams to

God. The

students displayed various Katas in Karate gracefully. Karate helps in

eliminating weakness and indecisiveness in the mind. Then there was a display

of stick fight, Urmi fight with flashing steel and fight with mace. The main

emphasis of this performance was how the mind and body reacts in unison

instinctively to face the opponent. A wonderful display of blindfolded wielding

of Nunchaku followed. The agility of the performers was a sight to watch. The

key to success in martial arts is reading the mind of the opponent was the

announcement. The last item of their performance was display of sheer human raw

power. They jumped through rings, crossed human hurdles of a few boys, breaking

pots with lethal power and consummate ease and to crown it all smashing blazing

tiles with hand. The performance ended with the final formation and offer of

obeisance to Bhagawan by the Brindavan campus students. Arati was offered to

Bhagawan at 6.30 p.m. and then Bhagawan left for His abode from the Stadium.

Thus, ended a memorable, outstanding and remarkable Sports and Cultural Meet in

Prasanthi Nilayam. Jai Sai Ram Source:

http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/sports_meet06_report.htm