January 1st, 2008 - Sai Students

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January 1st, 2008 The New Year 2008 began on a beautiful note here in Puttaparthi. The New Year Day programme nowadays has been given by Swami to the old students of the University. It is such a wonderful opportunity for all the students that the Lord wishes to begin His New Year with them. What can be said of Swami's love for the students! As He Himself has said so many times,"Students are My only property." It is not that the Sai students are a class apart and so receive so much love from Swami. In fact, it is because they receive His Love in such abundance that they seem to be a class apart. Like the thousands of zeroes that have no value if the "1" is removed, Swami gives all the value in their lives and they know that. So they take up the first day of the year to express their profound sense of gratitude to Him who means everything to them.All the students were seated in the marble blocks in front of the stage.

Swami came to Sai Kulwant Hall in His chair at 8.45 am in a procession led by the Students chanting Vedam, with traditional fans and an umbrella as paraphernalia to adorn and worship the Lord. There was a surge of Joy throughout the hall and seeing Swami in His beautiful form on the first day of the year was such a blessing. Swami went all around the darshan rounds in the chair. In the veranda were beautiful, multi coloured cakes. Swami went first upto them and cut them after lighting the candles on them.After Swami came onstage, the Vedam continued for a few minutes. Swami then signaled the University Brass Band to play a few pieces. The way the brass band began with a bang was definitely a grand way to welcome the year. The synchronisation, harmony and power were so scintillating. Notable among the pieces played were La Bamba and the famous "The Love Story" piece. After three pieces, Swami asked whether it was complete. The band leader then requested Swami

whether they could play one more and Swami consented with a smile. After that Prof. G. Venkataraman was asked to speak. He welcomed the alumni and described them as the hope for a troubled world. He emphatically stated and elaborated that Swami's message was the only solution for all the worries that plague us. Sri A. V. Gokak, the current Vice-Chancellor was the next to speak. His talk also centred around the transformational work done by the Sai Students. After that, Swami threw up a most wonderful surprise! He called one of the students who had formerly been a band leader. He said, "Ay, band leader. Will you speak?" The man, however much he may grow, is still Swami's boy. He was delighted at the opportunity. He came up straight and began extempore. He said that whenever Swami calls anyone to speak they need not be nervous for two reasons:1) It is like a heart opening into words in front of Swami.2) Though one has to face the entire world while doing so,

Swami is always on ones side.He then went on to recollect a few of his student experiences.He ended on a note oozing with gratitude for Swami and Swami materialized a gold chain for him. As He lovingly put it around his neck, the boy got the great blessing of almost resting his head on his divine mother's lap. As the speeches concluded at 10.10, Bhagawan asked the students to commence their music programme. As the songs began, Swami told the alumni holding up the cake right in front to come to Him. The cakes were all look alike and each of the three were massive in size. Swami lovingly lit the candle atop each cake and then cut them too. In the process, a little icing got on to His palms and hands. The 'icing' must have been thrilled to stay on something that was sweeter than itself! Swami, again with a smile, took His kerchief and wiped away the icing. After a few songs, the alumni presented a song taught to them by Swami for Ugadi in 1985. At that time Swami was

browsing through a book that the alumni had released on the occasion. The song progressed and Swami looked up at the students singing. His eyes made a quick scan of everyone seated. One does not know whether the Lord too, like humans, feels nostalgic or not. But it sure looked like Swami was remembering the time when He had actually taught the song to them. As that song concluded, it was already nearing eleven o'clock.Bhagawan said that He would see the other part of the programme in the evening. Blessing prasadam for all, He accepted Arati and returned to His residence.In the afternoon, Bhagawan arrived in His car at 4.45 pm. Coming onstage after a round of the Hall, He noticed the bright coloured Bhangra dance group of the Sai Students. He called them and permitted them to perform. The dance group was actually not part of the original plan of New Year Day celebrations. But the alumni had picked up a few very basic steps in two days and put it up. This once again

highlighted the motherly Love that Swami feels for His students. Really, just like a mother who sits appreciating her child mumbling some nursery rhymes, Swami sat watching as the dancers tried to get some semblance of co-ordination! To top it all, at the end of their 'performance', Swami asked, "Is it over already?" There was loud laughter everywhere and Swami lovingly blessed the 'dancers' and spoke to many of them. The Orchestra prepared by the alumni was the next item, performing from the centre of the Hall with loudspeakers facing Bhagawan who was seated onstage. The most memorable piece they played was the one from the famous album, "Vishwa Vinayaka". After the band, the alumni seated began to speak. Short speeches followed, recollecting the golden years the students had spent with their Lord. There were recollections of the tiny special things that Swami had done for each student and continues to do so daily in their lives. All of a sudden, Swami asked for the

programme to be stopped. Swami then asked for the microphone and prepared to get up to speak. Immediately everyone realized the magnitude of His magnanimity in deciding to speak to them spontaneously of His own volition. Listening to the pleas of the Students, He decided to remain seated and spoke for an hour.Bhagawan's Discourse is available here.Swami then received Aarthi and retired for the day.Click here to view pictures of the New Year programme. Courtesy: http://www.saistudents.org