Sai Seva in Chennai and Jammu

[Guest guest]

motivated by the same love and inspiration - that of helping the suffering and

pleasing their Lord. FLOOD RELIEF SEVA IN TAMIL NADU Heart2Heart

readers will be aware of the immediate response of Swami’s devotees whenever

there are disasters affecting

humanity. The Seva carried out by the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation embraces

those affected with the touch of Swami’s love, poured through His willing

instruments. There can only be physical limits to the help that is rendered –

His Love is everlasting and ever present. You may remember that there were

torrential rains in Tamil Nadu in the months of November and December.

Thousands of people were suffering due to the flood waters. Into this situation

entered the Sevadal teams, propelled to aid wherever, whenever and whoever they

could. We would like to tell you of the Seva that was carried out mainly in the

Chennai area, for your inspiration and interest. On 12th November 2005 over

600kg of rice was handed out in Vedachalam Nagar, Koyambedu, providing food

security to 125 families. Two weeks later after flooding from the Cauvery and

Coleroon rivers, 2200 people were served with food packets by 95 sevadals in 7

villages of Tanjore district. In an amazing rescue mission 15 youth

members put their own lives at risk to save 20 people marooned in the swirling

waters. They constructed a raft using bamboo sticks and barrels, which was then

able to cross the swollen surge and ferry the stranded back to land. This

occurred in the Madipakkam area of Chennai Metro on 2nd December 2005. Another

50 people were cared for and given food at the Koyambedu bus station. In the

next two days further seva was undertaken as follows. 1,200 people received

food packets in the Choolaimedu area of Chennai Metro area, as the sevadals

waded through knee deep water in dangerous circumstances to find the needy

people in their very homes. 300 people received food and 100 sarees and

150 children’s clothes were given out at Bharani Nagar, Alapakkam. 100 people

were given food at IDPL grounds, Nandampakkam and Bharathi slum, Nesapakkam.

In the Adyar area of Chennai the Adyar River had

burst its banks and created havoc for the surrounding residents. 40 youth

sevadal distributed hot milk and biscuits to 300 homes in Mallikaipoo Nagar.

Unmindful of danger they were forced to walk through knee deep water and use

emergency lighting. Those who go to the aid of others are often neglected

themselves. In such circumstances the Army was engaged in rescue operations in

Kotturpuram and so our sevadal gave out hot milk and biscuits to their

personnel. Sai Seva During Tamil Nadu Floods People Served Food 7,500

Place Visited 16 People Rescued 20 Rice Handed Out 600 kg People who

received clothes 250 (To Women and Children) 1000 people who were sheltering

in a school in the same area were attended to with hot milk, biscuits, Vibhuti

and Swami’s picture. These details are only a summary in words of what

transpired in desperate situations. Please bear the

limitating factor of words in mind and take some time to contemplate on the real

life feelings of the seva dal and those whom they went to help. Of all the

devotion and dedication, the sacrifice and joy, the sympathy and compassion

that guided the seva dal. And the pain and anguish of those suffering, who

found their lives lit up in their hours of need by service inspired by Sai.

Disaster Management Training Innovative Floats - Empty Tins

Innovative Floats - Drum Raft Sliding Stretcher Method Some of the Seva

dal involved in the above report have been trained in disaster management.

These instructions become vital in life and death situations. You can see some

of the training in these pictures. It was imparted at a 3 day intensive course

near Tanjore. The topics include water rescue, rescue using ropes, first-aid

training, cardio pulmonary resuscitation techniques and fire-fighting training.

So far 500 seva dal have received disaster management training in Tamil Nadu.

And some have gone on to become trainers themselves, even instructing people

outside SSSSO! This article is based on our latest information from the

state president of the Tamil Nadu Seva Organisation. Next issue we will be

updating you with more such reports. SAI ACTIVITIES IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR

The seva carried out in the state of Jammu and Kashmir has hitherto been

somewhat subdued due to the risk to life from terrorist activities. The

mountainous and rocky terrain also makes the Seva undertaken a little more

difficult than other parts of India. Yet the year 2005 was to be different as

it was the glorious 80th advent year. The Sai Organisation of Jammu and

Kashmir was determined to ignore any personal risks and undertake Sai

Seva. Narayan Seva in Kashmir Valley for the First Time! It was a

significant moment for the Organisation when the Seva Dal members, undeterred

by the spate of militancy related activities in Kashmir Valley, organized the

first ever Narayan Seva on the eve of Bhagavan’s birthday when food packets

were served to hundreds of people. Grama Seva And Clothes

Distribution In Progress in Jammu and Kashmir Apart from the regular Narayan

Seva that is carried out by the Organization every second Sunday of the month,

Sai youth organized a special Narayan Seva on the eve of Bhagavan’s 80th

Birthday. Food packets were served to the poor and physically challenged living

in the outskirts of Jammu City, in Jhuggies (temporary houses). In addition to

this, several Sai Youth visited a lepers’ home in the Bhagwati Nagar area of

Jammu City, where delicious food was served to nearly 80 lepers. As a part of

the Narayan Seva, Sevadals also distributed clothes to 530 people, including

families with members suffering from leprosy and physical disabilities.

“Shanti Rath Yatra” – Peace March During November Peace is such a rare

commodity these days. To promote brotherliness and harmony, the

devotes and Sai workers had a “Shanti Rath Yatra” (A Peace March on The Chariot)

in Jammu City during November 2005 to commemorate Bhagavan’s 80th Birthday.

The “Rath Yatra” helped in creating awareness about Swami and His message of

love and Service among the people. The Chariot was decorated with banners and

was accompanied by cars decked with pictures of Swami and lead by six Sai youth

on motorcycles. Akhanda Bhajan was also held for 24 hours, attended by 600

people in three locations. Many would be aware of the recent

earthquake that hit the state of Jammu and Kashmir and even some areas in

Pakistan. Many alumni from the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

rushed to the spot to help and aid the victims. There are really moving stories

of servic and of love. We will bring you all these stories in the next issue of

Heart2Heart. Watch out for the Cover Story of Feb 2006! - Heart2Heart

Team Source: Radio Sai E-Magazine, January

2006http://www.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_04/01JAN06/sai-seva-in-india.htm