Tsunami Relief Work undertaken by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

[Guest guest]

There are times in our lives when all hope is lost, there is no one to turn to

and nothing to live for. And then God comes into our lives, like the first

raindrop on the desert sands, like fresh air to one gasping for breath. The

tsunami tides that struck the Indian coast was a disaster that washed away

hopes more than it washed away houses, that ruined as many lives as it took.

But we have the living and loving God, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the

lighthouse to minds lost in the wild seas of sorrow.

A village in Nagapattinam District after being ravaged by the tidal waves

The tsunami waves that struck South Asia on 26th December 2004 affected

thousands and created enormous damage to life and property. Soon after the

disaster, as the survivors struggled to recover from the blow Nature had dealt

them, Bhagawan's limitless compassion flowed to them in the form of dedicated

service by the volunteers of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization, Tamil Nadu.

Hundreds of volunteers organized themselves into teams and fanned out into the

different areas where damage had been caused. The top priority was to extricate

the corpses tangled in the rubble and suitably dispose them so that epidemics

could be prevented. Food and basic amenities too had to be arranged for the

survivors.

Relief materials arranged to be sent to survivors

Of all the affected areas in Tamil Nadu, Nagapattinam District bore the maximum

brunt of the tsunami. The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, under the Divine

guidance of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, rushed relief to the villages of

Serudhoor, Akkaraipettai, Keechankuppam, Kallar, Olakottaimedu and Thoduvai

that were the worst affected in Nagapattinam District. Provisions, utensils,

stoves, clothes and other basic items required to restore life back to

normalcy, were procured and packed into cartons. Seva Dal volunteers worked day

and night procuring, packing and transporting these materials. The cartons were

transported from Chennai to the relief operations base camp near Nagapattinam.

Simultaneously, another group of volunteers were engaged in the distribution of

these cartons to more than 5000 families in Nagapattinam District and

Pondicherry. Needless to say, the Seva Dal volunteers performed the entire task

in a spirit of selfless love and

dedication. They consoled the distressed, reassured them and gave them the

courage and hope to start their lives afresh putting the tragedy behind them.

Trucks arriving from Chennai with the relief material

In one of the villages, as the supplies were getting exhausted at the end of the

day, a villager was heard assuring his fellowmen that there was no need to worry

as the Sai volunteers would definitely bring more supplies the next day and

continue the relief work. Instances like these are a testimony to the

confidence that these volunteers inspired in the hearts of these people by the

dedication and commitment with which they served. The district administration

also commended the well-organized and orderly way in which the materials were

distributed.

Relief operations being conducted by Sai volunteers

It was a touching experience for the volunteers as they saw the affected people

help each other rebuild their lives, cutting across barriers of caste, creed

and socio-economic status. In a village, one of the villagers requested that

the materials be distributed in the neighboring village too as no relief had

yet reached that village. At a time when one would expect them to be anxious

about their own welfare, it was moving to see the feelings of love and concern

they had for their brethren in distress. Truly, Bhagawan's cardinal teaching of

‘Brotherhood of Man and Fatherhood of God' was being translated into action by

these innocent village folk.

Receiving Bhagawans gifts of Grace

It was not the villagers alone who benefited from the exercise, but also the

volunteers who found the experience an inspiring one. The villagers were often

heard to say that God is their sole refuge and He would definitely take care of

their lives. To encounter such strong faith in God among these rural folk was a

reminder of the deep spiritual moorings of the people of this country. They did

not consider it as mere relief material but as consecrated gifts of Grace from

God Himself who had come to their aid in their time of distress. One is

reminded of the words of a song that is often sung in Bhagawan's presence:

"There is someone above to comfort meThere is someone above to show me the

wayThere is Swami to guide meThere is someone above to careAnd it's Love, Love

all the way..."

Jai Sai Ram!

Source: http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/pages/Tsunami_Report.htm

Search presents - Jib Jab's 'Second Term'