Birthday Celebrations in a village.

November 24, 2007

Devali is tiny village, in Wada Taluk, in Thane District, in Maharashtra state.

This village has been adopted by the Borivali Samithi of Sri Sathya Sai seva organizations, where various service activates are undertaken by Sai devotees.

Swami, had once mentioned that the basic objective of carrying out seva activities in a village to develop spiritual awareness amongst the villages, or otherwise our efforts will go in vane.

I had the fortune of spending this year Birthday celebrations in this tiny village. The villagers were anxiously waiting for us, in the hope that Borivali samithi devotees will definitely visit them on this auspicious day. Perhaps we were late, but the villagers were patiently waiting for us.

There is small temple built atop a small hill overlooking the village. Still further high in the hill, is large idol of Lord Hanuman in all His majesty.

They had beautifully decorated a palanquin. Here they call it " Paalki " , A beautiful framed photograph of Bhagavan Baba had been installed there in. The programme commenced with procession in the vicinity of temple, carrying the Paalki on their shoulders. Devotees were changing shoulders during the procession, so that more devotees could get a chance to carry their Lord on their shoulders. I was wonderstruck, by the beautiful bhajans rendered village girls. The procession ultimately returned to the sanctum of the Shiv Mandir. This place had been decorated with festoons and balloons. A tastefully designed cake had been kept under the large Photograph of Bhagavan Baba. The local devotees, led by a smart girl, started singing the famous " Janma Dhin " song, and then the

Cake was cut reverently.

I was given the honour of speaking to village children on the occasion. The importance of the TRINITY of Sai avatar was explained to them. The verbal translation for the words " SAI BABA " , and especially, citing the importance of Sri Sathya Sai Baba Avatar was put forward to them.

Borivali Samithi, on this auspicious day, distributed new uniforms to the children of Primary school students, and also distributed new saris for the Adivasi women living in the village.

We are familiar with " Narayana Seva, which the organization undertakes so meticulously. Borivali Samithi, had in fact organized a Massive Narayana Seva on the 18th November. But one should have been present in the village Devali, near Wada, when Narayana seva was organized by the villagers themselves. Here, we, the Sai Devoteess, were the fortunate recipients of Food Prasad, lovingly served by villagers.

They had marshaled resources for this great seva. Each one, every one in the vicinity of the village, were made to sit in batches, and were served food. Rice, Dal, and vegetable curry, were served. They did not forget that this day was the Divine Birthday of Bhagavan. Sweets, like Laddoo, and Jillebi were also served for each and every one. Earlier on our way to village Devali, the devotees visited a " Vrudhashram " , old peoples " shelter home, and the inmates were served sumptuous breakfast, which included a sweet dish also.

Those who participated in this programme, were able to live in the Love of the community, and they all thanked Swami, for providing such a chance to spend the day with the pious and devoted villagers.

SAI RAM

Bombay Srinivasan

V.Srinivasan (Bombay Srinivasan)

302, Khyati Deep,

Sathya Sai Complex,

Chickuwadi, Borivali west,

Mumbai 400092