Yugadi or Ugadi Festival, 21.03.04 - (14/14)

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Glimpses Of Yugadi Celebration At Brindavan, Whitefield - 1996

"The Sai Ramesh Mandap and its environs had been beautifully decorated for the

occasion with flags and festoons. An artistic floral arch had been erected at

the southeastern entrance to the Mandap with the slogan on the arch: "Help

ever; hurt never.' The bronze statute of Lord Krishna on the stage was

decorated with beautiful garlands. A large Shamiana had been put up to cover

the open ground to the north of the Mandap.

Bhagavan arrived at the Mandap (on 20 March, 1996) at 4 p.m., accompanied by Sri

Shivaraj Patil; Sri S.B. Chavan, Union Home Minister; Mr. Khurshed Alam Khan,

Governor of Karnataka; Sri H.D. Deve Gowda, Chief Minister of Karnataka; and

Dr. Somaiya, Vice-President of the Somaiya Trust.

Sri K.R. Prasad, member of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust welcomed the visiting

dignitaries and conveyed his Yugadi greetings to all the devotees.

Dr. S.K. Somaiya, while requesting Bhagavan Baba to release the Book, "Vision of

India' by Sri Shivaraj K. Patil, gave an account of the various educational and

welfare activities carried on by the Somaiya Trust, founded 30 years ago by Sri

K.J. Somaiya, who was still vigorous and active at the age of 95. Dr. Somaiya

said that over 18,000 students were studying in various educational

institutions run by the Somaiya Trust. Promoting the learning of Sanskrit was

one of the major activities.

Sri S.B. Chavan expressed his gratitude to Bhagavan for taking him as a close

member of the Sai family. He referred to the various educational and

humanitarian projects undertaken by the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust and

commended particularly the stupendous drinking water project to serve a

drought-stricken region. He prayed to Bhagavan to extend His grace to other

areas in the country as the Government alone would not be able to carry out

such projects as successfully as He had done. Referring to the disorders and

violence prevailing in the country, Sri Chavan said the spirit of tolerance and

brotherhood of man preached by Bhagavan should be fostered by one and all.

Sri Deve Gowda, Chief Minister of Kamataka, speaking next, explained the

significance of Yugadi. Sri Shivraj Patil began his speech with a reference to

an incident in the life of the Maharashtra saint, Jnaaneshwar. He said, 'We

have seen many ups and downs during the past year and we may have them in the

coming year too. We have to put up with these with equal-mindedness. This can

be done only when we have purity of heart. Unity comes out of purity, and

divinity follows. This is what Bhagavan often reminds us.'

Sri Khurshed Alam Khan, Governor of Kamataka, speaking next said that he got

inspiration whenever he came to this holy place. People talk about secularism,

but few practise it. 'Here we find the real coming together of all sections of

humanity, regardless of caste, creed and nationality. This is really an Abode

of Peace and Tranquility. We pray to His Holiness to spread His message to all

parts of the globe.'

Bhagavan then delivered His Yugadi message. After the discourse, Prasadam was

distributed to the gathering. There was a music programme consisting of Sitar

and Tabla.

In the morning, Bhagavan gave Darshan to a vast gathering in the Sai Ramesh

Mandap, Bhagavan was greeted on arrival with a special programme of songs by

the Institute students, beginning with the song, 'Namo Sathya Sai Baba, Namo

Sathya Sai.' This was followed by songs in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi. The morning

function ended with the distribution of Prasadam blessed by Bhagavan." Editor,

SS, 4/96, pp. 98-100

Source: http://shivomindia.tripod.com/yugadi/Yugadi-14.htm

Courtesy: Sai Ram Websitehttp://shivomindia.tripod.com/yugadi/yugadi-titles.htm

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