SAI DARSHAN NEWS & PHOTOS: Gujarat Youth & Music Programme by Smt. Piu Sarkhel

November 3, 2008

October 30 2008 The concluding programme of the devotees from Gujarat was based on real life experiences at Navsari in Gujarat in a drama entitled "Vision of the Divine". It was 5:10 pm when the programme began in the true sense as Swami came out to grant darshan! As always, the central area was kept empty and free and the backdrop stood majestic. Swami looked at it as He slowly passed by it and it was wonderful moment - Swami looking at a majestic backdrop that proclaimed, "Vision of the Divine". Completing the round, Swami moved to the stage. Once again, there was a parade of lucky souls who went up to Swami seeking blessings before the programme proper. It's a great opportunity and everyone utilizes it to the full. Swami blessed all the people who came up the stage and then the programme began. The drama was themed on the cataract surgery seva activities done in Navsari district of Gujarat. The

region, being backward, was infested with quacks who always attributed the eye problems of the suffering masses to the curse of God for all the sins they had commited. The story which was portrayed could have been the story of any one of the hundred or so tribals treated and nursed by the doctors and devotees of Swami. It showed how a poor man is deprived of his sight by a cataract and of hope by a local "witch doctor" wielding peacock feathers and chanting humbug. But it is firmly ingrained in him that he has been cursed by God. When the volunteers from the Sai Organisation arrive to help and treat the people of the area through eye camps, everyone at first eyes them suspiciously. Isn't it funny that nowadays we accept selfishness as natural and are unable to believe that selflessness exists? Else how can one explain the amazement that we express and Swami's Love and Grace? As He aptly puts it, "What is Aascharyam for you is Sahajam for me.")

The drama was very simple but powerful in showing how a little care and love coupled with the Lord's grace can literally help thousands to see more clearly! The drama was backed with the power of Truth and though no 'flashy' or 'showy' miracles seemed to happen, the miracle wherein the patients were blessed from seeing through the milky fluid of the cataract to the clear fluid of grateful and joyous tears was awe inspiring in itself. The eye camps in this region have been vastly successful and have covered more than a hundred villages and more than four thousand operations have been successfully conducted. The drama was short and sweet and at the end of it as all the participants gathered in a formation, Swami called the "tribal" who had been "cursed" by God according to the "village quack" and blessed him with a gold chain. Everyone burst in applause and Swami blessed the participants with Abhayahastha. He then told them all to sit in their

places and the next part of the evening's programme began.. Sri Devesh Dave sang some popular songs and bhajans. Before the performance, he and the other artistes bowed to Swami and that included a small boy who was to play the cymbals. Swami smilingly kidded with the kid asking him, "Are you going to sing?" The smile was returned by the apparently startled kid. The concert then began and went on for about half an hour. At the end of it, Swami accepted Aarthi. It was 6:30 pm and Swami started moving towards Yajur mandir in the chair itself! Now this was a bonus for all the ladies and they rejoiced at the close darshan. At Yajur Mandir, the security guards prayed to Swami for group pictures as their shifts had been completed and a new set of guards would be replacing them the next day. With a sweet smile, Swami posed for photographs with them before retiring for the day. Click here to see photos of the event. October 29 2008 Today was the occasion of the Gujarati New year. The Gujarati New Year is synonymous with sud ekam of the Kartik month - the first day of the first month of Gujarati lunar calendar. Most other Hindus celebrate the New Year in early spring, but the Gujarati farming community celebrates the New Year after Diwali to mark the beginning of a new fiscal year. More than 2500 devotees had arrived specially for this occasion from Gujarat. It was at about 4:30 pm that Swami arrived to the chanting of the Vedas. The youth were seated in neat rows and were distinct by their deep brown scarves. Swami took a complete darshan round and then came on stage. He lit the lamp that had been decorated and placed for the occasion. It is interesting to note that

the drama they were about to put up in a few minutes was called "Prema Jyoti" and here we had "Prema" lighting the "Jyoti"! Lighting the lamp, Swami went into the interview room for a short while. As soon as He came out on the stage again, He asked for the programme to begin. The opening was a parade of items for Swami to bless. Devotees from both the ladies and gents sections moved up the stage with cards, a lamp, brochures of the Grama Seva being done, fruit trays and even a cake. Swami slaked everyone's thirst for His proximity and blessed them too. Then the programme began. There was a 10 minute singing of welcome songs and Gujarati New Year songs. As that completed, the drama began. The drama portrayed the manner in which the Organization in Gujarat went about organizing the exhibition - Prema Jyoti. This exhibition had been inaugurated by Swami during the Guru Poornima of 2007 and by His will travelled the length and breadth of India

conferring the joy of witnessing His Life and work to millions. Like any other noble endeavour, the organising of the exhibition too had its ups and downs but 'the Hand of God' was felt in every aspect of the work. Experiences based on the actual interaction of the volunteers on site with various people from the different walks of life were shown dramatically in the drama. Dance and music were embedded into the fabric of the plot. The conclusion was with a song and dance sequence and all the participants gathered in the centre and offered their prayers and Pranaams to Swami. Swami was so happy and moved during various portions of the drama. In the beginning when the organizers are facing a very tough situation with getting the arch and gateway ready in time for the D-day, they surrender completely to Swami and are fully confident about His Grace flowing on them for hasn't He said, "If you need me, you deserve me." Swami seemed so charged during

the course of the scene so much so that when one of the characters pray falling on their knees, "Swami only you have to help", Swami nodded His head and blessing Him said, "Yes! I will help." At the end, Swami moved down and posed for group photos with all the participants. As that was completed , many of them gave letters to Swami. One little boy in particular, dig deep into his pockets trying to extract a card that he had made for Swami. Swami on His part, sat sweetly and patiently and accepted the extracted letter! Then with a lovely smile and a gracious Abhayahastha, Swami moved to the ladies section of the youth. He posed for photos with them too before moving back to the stage. He then blessed Smt. Piu Sarkhel to present Hindustani Classical songs. As the stage was being prepared for her, Swami went into the interview room and came back with watches for all the participants. At this time, the lady began her songs and Swami noticed two

primary school children right up in the front. He called them on stage and began to see through the card that they had made for Him for the occasion of the Gujarati New Year. One of the boys also gave Swami an invitation to the ground breaking ceremony of the land for his house. Swami had a detailed look at it. He also played with the boys with comments about the card that they had made. Blessing both of them, He sent them to their places. Then again, as if like an afterthought, Swami called both back on the stage and materialized vibhuti for them. Putting spots on their foreheads, He put the remaining into their palms and told them, "Eat it now itself!" And immediately, the boys stuffed the vibhuti into their mouths much to the glee and amusement of all the devotees assembled. Playfully patting them , Swami sent them back. Smt. Piu Sarkhel then presented Hindustani classical songs and bhajans onstage for half an hour. Swami blessed her and her

group with clothes and photographs, and Bhajans by the devotees commenced at six o'clock. Ten minutes later, Swami asked the students to sing the 'Allah ho Akbar' bhajan with alap, following with He accepted Arati and returned to His residence. Click here to see photos of the event.