Sai Seva in Chennai and Jammu

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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

(Sharing With Sai Love) Ram.ChuganiRam ChuganiKobe, Japanrgcjp

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