Puttaparthi, then and Now

[Guest guest]

It is said that "Slow and steady wins the race". We all have witnessed this practically in Swami's ways. Swami kept a low profile till He inaugurated Prasanthi Nilayam. At no stage of His life, He hurried to get things shaped. Educational institutions bearing Swami's name started around 80s. Superspeciality Hospitals came into existence some where in 90s. Like wise drinking water projects too materialised during the middle of 90s. We all know that Swami's advent was during 1926. None were aware of His glory until 1940, that too within the taluk and district level. He came out of Andhra and started touring karnataka and tamilnadu during the 50s. Only very few families were fortunate enough to visit the Patha mandir like Radhakrishna of Kuppam and Sakamma of Kudag coffee estates. People from other countries started visiting the Nilayam during 64 onwards. Till that time the development of infrastructure inside the Nilayam was almost negligible. Devotees were satisfied with staying below tree shades. River Chitravati is the only source of water. The wells in the campus yielded only brackish water. Potable water was a dream on those days during 64-65. For drinking, bathing and washing, the young and old throng to the river bed. In summer times, the river was almost dry. We used to search for agricultural wells for our needs. Even the saplings and trees were watered with long line of devotees standing on either side to pass water filled pots from a distance from the Nilayam. The services rendered by the earlier batch of devotees in construction activities, be it the large shed or the General Hospital needs special mention. Even lady devotees carried construction materials and were passing from hand to hand to the hill top where the general hospital stands now. To day we witness the gigantic and monumental developments and we are astounded at the phase of progress. The Museum on the top of Hill, Administrative building of University, Hanuman statue, Hill view stadium, Planatorium, Gokulam, the Hospital complex at Prasanthi gram, Airport, Chaitanya Jyothi complex and many such developments tells about Swami's love towards humanity. In every activity we see the foot prints of Bagawan. Nothing is humanly possible. Who can ever think of massive constructions of more than 3 lakh square feet of plinth area completed within 6 months (from ground level), an indoor sports complex completed in forty days? Miracles! Yes, but Swami attributes all these to His grace. Miracles are only visiting cards. But Swami's grace made all these things to fructify. I was witness to the fecilities that existed in the Nilayam during 1965. Now every one of us are aware of the day to day happenings from the messages, videos, photos etc. Jai Sai Ram.