Region 1 Savanne - Mauritius SPECIAL BIRTHDAY ISSUE - Volume

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1 Region 1 Savanne - Mauritius SPECIAL BIRTHDAY ISSUE - Volume OUR VISION To drive Devotees to live according to the teachings of BHAGAWAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA OUR MISSION To SURRENDER and to DEVELOP FRIENDSHIP with SAI OUR GOAL To consolidate the SAI FAMILY by developing a SAI CULTURE OUR OBJECTIVE To create opportunities for the SPIRITUAL UPLIFTMENT of devotees PROFILE WHO IS SAI BABA - Page 2-4 DIVINE MESSAGE HAPPY BIRTHDAY BHAGAWAN - Page 5 PRESIDENT MESSAGE MESSAGE FROM THE REGIONAL PRESIDENT - AJAY LOCHUN - Page 6 FIRST GIFT TO MANKIND BY SWAMI MANASA BHAJARE GURU CHARANAM - Page 7 HISTORICAL OVERVIEW HISTORY OF SAVANNE REGIONAL COMMITTEE - Page 8-9 EXPEDITION GOLDEN ERA OF PURE LOVE - Page INVITATION REGIONAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS - Page 15

2 2 T o a spiritual aspirant, He is the divine master par excellence; to a rationalist, He is the greatest humanitarian on earth; to thousands of modern youth, He is the leader with a dynamic vision and a colossus of inspiration; to a devotee, He is simply divinity in human form; and to everyone who has had the opportunity to behold Him, He is Pure Love Walking on Two Feet. Ask Bhagawan Baba, Are you God? And He says: Yes, I am God and so are you. The only difference between you and I is that while I am aware of this fact, you are not. And this is no casual remark. Indeed, inherent in this small, but extremely significant statement, is the fundamental truth of humanity s divine nature - its true reality; and revivifying the heart of every human being to this salient truth is the mission and message Help Ever Hurt Never every discourse, addressing the gathering as, Embodiments of the Divine Atma. All who listen to Him, experience His unconditional love, benefit from His caring counsel and witness His supernormal supremacy over mind and matter, get a real glimpse of the glory and majesty of God, and therefore, the infinity that of each human potentially and inherently is. His Birth and Childhood Sri Sathya Sai Baba was born as Sathyanarayana Raju on November 23, 1926 in the village of Puttaparthi, in the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India. Even as a child, His spiritual inclination contemplative and nature set Him apart from other children of His age, and He was known as Guru and Brahmajnani (knower of Brahman or Godhead) among His peers and others in the village. I AM GOD AND SO ARE YOU. THE ONLY of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai However, it was not until October 20, 1940, the day He made the historic declaration of His DIFFERENCE BETWEEN Baba. Very Avatarhood, ( Avatar means Divinity Incarnate in YOU AND I IS THAT WHILE aptly, Baba Human Form ) that the world at large learnt of this I AM AWARE OF THIS FACT, begins His divine phenomenon. YOU ARE NOT Continued on Page 3

3 3 Continued from Page 2 The Intent of His Advent Today, millions from all over the world, professing various faiths and hailing from all walks of life, worship Bhagavan Baba as an Avatar, and the reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi. Thousands gather every day at Prasanthi Nilayam, His spiritual headquarters established beside the village of Puttaparthi, for His Darshan (the act of beholding His sacred form), when He moves among devotees, blessing them and uplifting them by providing spiritual succour and solace. Revealing the purpose of His advent, Sai Baba has said that He has come to re-establish the rhythm of righteousness in the world and repair the ancient highway to God, which over the years has systematically deteriorated. In His own words: This Sai has come in order to achieve the supreme task of uniting the entire mankind as one family through the bond of brotherhood, of affirming and illuminating the Atmic Reality (Atma The Divine Self) of each being, to reveal the Divine which is the basis on which the entire cosmos rests, and of instructing all to recognise the common Divine Heritage that binds man to man, so that man can rid himself of the animal and rise up to the Divine, which is the goal. His Glorious Mission Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is an integral manifestation who combines two very significant roles. Firstly, He is a great spiritual Master, famed for His simple and sweet exposition of the greatest and most intricate of spiritual truths, which form the fundamental teachings of all the religions of the world. Elucidating on His mission, Bhagawan declares: I have come not to disturb or destroy any faith, but to confirm each in his own faith, so that the Christian becomes a better Christian; the Muslim, a better Muslim; and the Hindu, a better Hindu. Love All Serve All Continued on Page 4

4 4 Continued from Page 3 His formula for humanity to lead a meaningful life is the five-fold path of: Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), Shanthi (Peace), Prema (Love), and Ahimsa (Non-Violence) Love for God, fear of sin and morality in society these are His prescriptions for our ailing world. Secondly, He is an inexhaustible reservoir of pure love. His numerous service projects, be it free hospitals, free schools and colleges, free drinking water supply projects, or free housing projects, all stand testimony to His selfless love and compassion for the needy and less privileged. True to His declaration, My Life is My Message, He has inspired and continues to inspire millions of His devotees worldwide by His personal example to live the ideal that Service to Man is Service to God. The Sri Sathya Sai Organisation today has a presence in hundreds of nations in the world, and its members undertake any number of service activities that benefit their immediate community. And they do it selflessly and spontaneously. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba has thus emerged as a beacon of hope in a world that is desperately seeking an end to the unrest and sorrow prevalent today. His message of Love All Serve All Help Ever Hurt Never is a spiritual salve that will lead mankind from the pain of darkness and ignorance and to the light and bliss of immortality. Indeed, once in a millennium does such a Divine Being walk the earth. For you and I, and all humanity, in spite of the dark clouds hovering on the world s horizon today, there is a silver lining - nay, a golden one. If we seize this rarest of rare opportunities, world peace and harmony, along with our individual emancipation, will no longer be a utopia. It will become as real and universal as the morning Sun. (Ref: Radio Sai Global Harmony) Service to Man is Service to GOD

5 5 T his year we are celebrating our Bhagawan s 90 th birthday and thus it is an opportunity for us to renew our faith in the Avatar of the Golden era. Wishing our Lord a happy birthday would be a misnomer for He is Anada Swarupa Himself. Swami Himself is the very embodiments of love and happiness. Thus, let us wish that there be Love and Happiness in the hearts of men torn asunder by selfish motives. Many Leaders who have ruled upon the world have created opportunities for brothers to hate brothers, brothers to kill brothers. The practice of prema is what humans need nowadays. Man, since childhood, needs to be shaped to be Madhavas (Gods) and not Dhanavas (Demons). Have we ever asked ourselves why should the Avatars stop wars for His consent was not sought when Human started all this? Our Lord can only advise; the willingness and decisions are ours. The whole world can become a Prasanthi Nilayam but man has fouled it by witlessness and unreasonableness. Love is God; Love starts by respecting ourselves and others. Swami s Grace can be won through Love only. We must capture each and every opportunity we get to do service and there is no limit for this opportunity. We should not lose the opportunity to serve by debating or arguing, instead service is done in humbleness, harmony and genuineness. Our actions should be like little lamps in the darkness enveloping the minds of man. The wish to serve others will come to us only if we let our senses under control, otherwise we will want to serve our own desires. Spiritual practice or sadhana will only help us if we are sincere to ourselves. Do not show off your achievements, for the desire to prove you are succeeding in your spiritual endeavour is nothing but pride of the Ego within our mind. We should go slowly and progressively. Desires are much understated. Surrender them to God. Let Bhagawan direct and guard us. Our happiness is only found in the happiness of others. With one heart, let us all wish that may all attain happiness. MY REAL BIRTHDAY IS THE DAY DIVINITY BLOSSOMS IN YOUR HEART Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavanthu HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAREST SWAMI God is Love, Peace & Strength

6 6 Sai Ram Brothers and Sisters, It brings me immense pleasure to write a few words for this special issue of Echoes from Region 1 on the occasion of the 90 years of Pure Love that marks this Golden Era, that is, the 90 th Birth Anniversary of our Beloved Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. It is indeed a success story as we talk of the newsletter of our Region, Echoes from Region 1, which I still remember was launched at the Sathya Sai Centre of Curepipe on Sunday 28 th July 2013 by Brother Vishnu Ramdin, the National Chairperson. I can happily say that we have progressed considerably in our concept and presentation, thereby reaching a higher number of readers. We have received much appreciation from our readers from all corners of our island and even internationally. Undoubtedly and above all, the credits and appreciations go to our Beloved Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba for guiding us in the right path and making us an instrument to convey His messages. On 23 rd November 2015, we celebrated the 90 th Birthday of our Beloved Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. During all these years, Bhagawan has shown us the right path in our life, through spirituality, Vedas, music, science, management, leadership, service, education, human values, sport, medicine and many more. Although Swami left school at the age of 14, He knew all these subjects. He is the knower, the doer, the writer, the producer, the director and the actor. In return, the only favour that He asks from us is Love All, Serve All. Only God can do all these with such perfection. I often say that we, as Sai devotees, are really blessed that we know God has been here, walked amongst us and guided us in this blindfolded world. We are the chosen ones who have been able to recognise and experience the avatar-hood of the Lord. Therefore, let us enjoy these blissful moments of the Lord s Birthday celebration and let us prepare for the coming of Prema Sai. In Sai Love and Service, Brother Ajay Lochun Why Fear When I Am Here

7 7 MANASA BHAJARE GURU CHARANAM DUSTHARA BHAVA SAAGARA TARANAM GURU MAHARAJ GURU JAI JAI SAI SATHGURU JAI JAI OM NAMAHA SHIVAYA (3), SHIVAYA NAMAH OM ARUNACHALA SHIVA (3), ARUNA SHIVOM OMKAARAM BHAVA (3), OM NAMO BABA Word to Word Meaning Manasa - Mind Jai - Victory Bhajare - Sing Sai - Lord Guru - Teacher/Preceptor Sathguru - True Preceptor Charanam - Feet Om - Primordial Sound Dusthara - Difficult to endure Namaha - Salutations Bhava - Existence Shivaya - Lord Shiva Saagara - Ocean Arunachala - Red Mountain Taranam - Crossing Over Omkaaram - Pronunciation of OM Maharaj - Great Sovereign Baba - Father/God Paraphrase Meaning O mind! Worship the Lotus Feet of your God and Supreme Teacher, Sai Baba. That will take you safely across the ocean of life and death. Victory to our Lord and supreme Teacher, Sai Nath. Mind also chant and worship the Divine names of Lord Shiva who dwells on the Arunachala mountain and Sai Baba, whose form is Om. God is All Names & All Forms

8 8 What will unfold ahead is the sweet and delicious grace of the Lord which He bestowed upon His innocent children years back without our knowing His grandeur as the doer while we posed as the worthy instruments. No amount of words will suffice to THANK the LORD for such a blessing in this age of Kaliyuga. As far as my memory helps, the history of the Committee is directly linked with the unfolding of the then Sri Sathya Sai Centre of Souillac in the years A group of Brothers, namely, Adiraj Pentiah, Anand Kumar Boodhun, Veeren Puddoo, Atmada Kolly Appadoo, Ram Appadoo, Ajanand Ramchureeter, Hayman Dass Ghoora, and Sisters Kumari Thacoor, Roomita Chuneebans, Giantee Chuneebans, Srimathi Lobine and Shyama Appadu decided to have regular Sai Bhajans at the place of Sis Thacoor under the guidance of respected elder Brothers Bhunjun, Ramdoo and Canakiah. The two former are resting in peace with the Lord. We place on record the marvelous work they started which has come to fruition now. We have a special thought to their surviving families. Special mention is made here to the zealousness of Brother Adiraj Pentiah to tour the district to instil the Love and to spread the message of the Lord when at a time both the means of transport and communication were rather difficult. As the group grew in momentum, a larger space was felt. So we moved to Krishna Mandiram at Souillac. In 1985 a memorable Akhanda Bhajan was held whereby groups in Grand Port also participated (Mare d Albert, Mare Tabac, Beau Vallon). The 60 th Birthday celebration was an unforgettable moment inscribed in the hearts of each and every devotee present thereat. At that time, there was the Grand Port-Savanne Regional Coordinating Committee whereby all activities in the two districts were attended by Centres/Devotional Groups that existed. With the ever-growing expansion of the Organisation, both districts got separated, having their own Regional Coordinating Committee. Nevertheless, very often, they are called to work hand in hand marvellously. The synergy generated inspired the active devotees to move to nearby villages to set up Devotional Groups. At that time, the only groups that existed were: Chemin Grenier, Souillac and Baie du Cap/St Martin. At Tyack, we had the Sivananda Spiritual and Cultural Circle which later on became Tyack Sai Centre. The name of the Lord was spreading like wild fire. Bhajan Groups mushroomed: at Nouvelle France with Brother Nirmal, at Riviere du Poste with Br Suresh Dootun, at Britannia with Brother Subash Ramkisoona, at St Aubin, at Souillac with Brother Adiraj Pentiah and and lastly at Chamouny with Brother Shunjay Dumur. Continued on Page 10 Bliss is God; Be in Bliss

9 9 Continued from Page 9 As the devotees attending bhajan at Souillac were mainly from Surinam, they shifted back to their village, thus the name was changed to Shri Sathya Sai Centre of Surinam, while those staying at Souillac continued with the Devotional Group of Souillac. The Regional Committee has worked with all the National Chairman starting with Late Brother Bala Sanassee, Brother Ramchurn, Late Brother Ramful, Late Brother Parapen, Brother Somanah, Brother Keenoo, Brother Nathoo, Brother Dumur and still in office Brother Vishnu Ramdin. Quoting from down memory lane, the presence of Late Brother Sanassee, who spared no effort to be present at each regional Akhanda Bhajan for some time before touring the island alone. He was a real spirit of sacrifice to push the Organisation forward. I could not swap the only journal which was published at that time on a monthly basis: Sai Sandesh. Every month, we were collecting 200 copies to be distributed to all groups, each costing Rs 10/=. After some time, the National Coordinating Committee changed its name to Central Council of the Shri Sathya Sai Organisation. Every year a National calendar was published, the latest named Sudarshan which was distributed throughout the island. With the passage of time, and as the devotees grew in Organisation, the Regional Coordinating Committee shaped itself as per the requirements of the Charter, having the required wings, namely: Spiritual, Education and Service. We also have various coordinators: Spiritual, Study Circle, Education, SSE and SSEHV, Service, and Bhajan. The following persons served as Chairman: Brother Adiraj PENTIAH, Brother Hayman Dass GHOORA, Brother Manickchand LOBINE, Brother Anand DUMUR and Brother Ajay LOCHUN who is still in office. The Committee has been organising Akhanda Bhajan every year for the past 30 years. Birthday celebration has been mainly a Centre/Group activity. Blood donation occupies a priority service activity. We take a major lead in the Blood Donation organised at National Level at Ganga Talao on 1 st of January each year as well as for Maha Shivaratri Celebration thereat. It has been instrumental to popularise the Sathya Sai Vrat Kalpam, Shirdi Samadhi and Birthday, Grand Declaration Day, Sai Katha and Ekadasi Rudram. The committee has organised several retreats at regional level for the Mahilas (Ladies), Young Adults and Balvikas (Sai Spiritual Education). In addition, workshops were planned for devotees on the following topics: Bhajan, Administration, Meditation, Nine point code of conduct, Service, Role of women in society/organisation. In addition, several activities touching the greater community have been organised with a view to take SSEHV to the mass like Grama Seva, Flood Relief, Medical Camps, EHV walks, Music Day with EHV as a major component. Now the Committee has grown to a point where it has a Regional Operations Strategic Framework for the forthcoming five years. The following activities are being activated amidst a larger section of the devotees: Propagation of Vedic Chanting, Meditation, U-Turn Project, EHV Course. Brother Lochun is investing much of his energy to sensitise a maximum number of devotees to take up this sadhna programme. Our sincerity to Swami has always won us His beneficial Grace. In reverence to Him, we, His children of Savanne Region say a BIG THANK YOU Lord for so much Love and Affection on our Spiritual Journey. Jai Sai Ram Brother Pravine GHOORA Food is God; Do Not Waste

10 Baba visits Ooty, Hyderabad and Tirupati, drawing many people to Him, through His magnetic personality and His inspiring interactions with them. Prasanthi Nilayam under construction LEELA: November 23 - Birth of Sri Sathya Sai Baba Srimathi Easwaramma and Sri Pedda Venkappa Raju of Puttaparthi welcome the birth of their fourth child Sathya Narayana Raju 1938 Twelve year old Sathya writes and directs the play Cheppinattu Chesthara? (Do you act as you speak?) that reminded the village folk to do as they say Baba delivers His first-ever public speech in Karur, in Tamil Nadu, starting the tradition of instructing through His discourses. Baba delivered over a thousand public discourses over the next 63 years. Baba writes a landmark letter to His brother, Sri Seshama Raju, outlining the purpose of His incarnation and the tasks that He would achieve in the years ahead On Baba s 25 th birthday, Prasanthi Nilayam Mandir is inaugurated October 20 - Avatar Declaration Day Fourteen year old Sathya Narayana Raju reveals His Avataric identity as the reincarnation of Sai Baba of Shirdi. He composes and teaches His first Bhajan, Manasa Bhajare Guru Charanam (Oh mind, surrender at the feet of the Guru). MAHIMA: On Vaikuntha Ekadasi day, the first Mandir (Paata Mandiram )of Sathya Sai Baba is inaugurated in Puttaparthi. Paata Mandiram 1956 Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital is inaugurated at Prasanthi Nilayam, making it the very first medical care facility in the entire region At the young age of 31, Baba presides over the 9th All India Divine Life Convention at Venkatagiri, Andhra Pradesh which is attended by spiritual leaders from across the country. Swami visits Mathura and Rishikesh with His entourage. He stays at the Ashram of Swami Sivananda for a week and cures him of his ailing health. Continued on Page 11 Discipline is the Mark of Intelligent Living

11 11 Continued from Page 10 UPADESHA: Baba commences the publication of the Ashram s monthly magazine Sanathana Sarathi on the auspicious Shivaratri day to spread His message of universal love and selfless service across the country and overseas. Baba Himself writes for the magazine every month uninterruptedly for a quarter of a century. These series of articles are later published as the Vahini series. Sanathana Sarathi continues to be published monthly in English, Telugu and over 25 other Indian and foreign languages Baba inaugurates Dharmakshetra, the Sai headquarters in Mumbai. The event coincides with the first World Conference of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations. Baba goes on His first and only international tour to the East African countries, Uganda and Kenya The first volume of Baba s biography Sathyam Shivam Sundaram by noted historian Prof. N.Kasturi is published, offering a well-researched and comprehensive account of Baba s life till then. Over the next 50 years, 6 more volumes of His biography are published, covering His life from 1960 to Baba cures Himself of paralysis and cerebral thrombosis during the Guru Purnima festival and declares that He is the Shiva-Shakti Principle. He also declares for the first time about the triune Avatars of Shirdi Sai, Sathya Sai Prayer Hall inside Prasanthi Nilayam Mandir Sri Sathya Sai Arts and Science College for women starts at Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, making it the first college of the Sai University network of campuses Baba cures Himself of a burst appendix at the residence of Sri Nakul Sen, the Lieutenant Governor of Goa President of India, Sri V.V.Giri inaugurates the new complex of Sri Sathya Sai Women s College - Anantapur. and Prema Sai The first All India Conference of Office bearers of all organisation bearing Baba s name is held at Madras in Baba s presence. The Sai movement acquires an 1972 Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust established for charitable social welfare projects. Summer courses in Indian Culture and Spirituality are conducted by Baba at the Whitefield Sai College for over a 1000 college students from across India for a month. These continue every year till 1979 and after a gap of a decade again from On the sands of River Chitravathi Continued on Page 12 Learn to Adapt, Adjust & Accommodate

12 12 Continued from Page 11 VIDYA: Baba inaugurates the Sarva Dharma Stupa in Prasanthi Nilayam, symbolising the unity of world religions, on His 50 th Birthday. Smt. Easwaramma High School inaugurated in Puttapathi Sri Sathya Sai Space Theatre and Sri Sathya Sai Institute Central Library inaugurated at Prasanthi Nilayam. Discourse by Swami - Prasanthi Nilayam Sri Sathya Sai Space Theatre 1979 Baba consecrates the Shiva Temple at His birthplace in Puttaparthi on the occasion of His birthday Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (Deemed University) is inaugurated in Prasanthi Nilayam on 22 nd November. Sri Sathya Sai Primary and Higher Secondary School is inaugurated at Prasanthi Nilayam. Loraine Burrows starts Sri Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (SSEHV) in Thailand First convocation of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning is held at Prasanthi Nilayam. The administrative Building of the Sai University is inaugurated at Prasanthi Nilayam Baba inaugurates the Sai Shruti Ashram at Kondaikanal. VAIDYA: Sanathana Samskruti - the Eternal Heritage Museum inaugurated at Prasanthi Nilayam. Baba inaugurates the 65 feet high statue of Hanuman Sanathana Samskruti on the top of the mountain in the Hill View Stadium at Prasanthi Nilayam The first Super Speciality Hospital, the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences - inaugurated in Prasanthigram. Sri Sathya Sai Airport inaugurated at Prasanthigram All India Balvikas rally held at the Hill View Stadium at Prasanthi Nilayam. Nearly 10,000 students and teachers from all parts of India participate. Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publication Trust is established. The Trust takes up the task of publishing books on Baba s life, mission and message. Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences Continued on Page 13 Truth is God, Speak The Truth

13 13 Continued from Page Prema Deep, Baba s Mandir at Muddenahall in Karnataka state is inaugurated On the auspicious Guru Purnima day, the Sai Kulwant Hall is inaugurated in Prasanthi Nilayam to accommodate up to 20,000 devotees at a time for Baba s daily Darshan. Sri Sathya Sai Drinking Water Supply Project, Anantapur is dedicated to the people of India on the occasion of Baba s 70 th Birthday Celebrations. Ladies Day Celebrations commence for the first time as a part of the Annual Birthday celebrations of Baba. Chaitanya Jyoti Museum - a tribute to Baba s life and message is inaugurated on the occasion of the 75 th Birthday Celebrations. Sri Sathya Sai Grama Seva Project launched by Baba for serving food and clothing in 150 villages to over 300,000 villagers. Sri Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam Railway Station is inaugurated at Puttaparthi. Train services from major metropolitan cities commence A second Super Speciality Hospital is inaugurated at Whitefield, Bangalore First Sai World Youth Conference at Prasanthi Nilayam is attended by thousands of youth from nearly 100 countries In recognition of Baba s contribution in addressing the drinking water problems of Rayalaseema, the Department of Posts, Govt. of India releases a special postage stamp. Baba visits New Delhi and inaugurates the Sri Sathya Sai International Centre of Human Values Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music inaugurated in Prasanthi Nilayam. Sri Sathya Sai Drinking Water Supply Project launched in Medak and Mahbubnagar Districts of Andhra Pradesh. Radio Sai Global Harmony launched from Prasanthi Nilayam to take Baba s message of love and harmony to the world 24/7 via internet, satellite radio and the e-magazine Heart-to-Heart. Baba inaugurates Shivalayam at Nandanvan, Chakur in Maharashtra and visits Latur and Nanded in the hinterland of Maharashtra after the devastating earthquakes in these regions. Continued on Page 14 God First; The World Next; Myself Last

14 14 Continued from Page Baba announces the launching of the Chennai Water Project on the occasion of the first Chennai Water Project anniversary of the Super Speciality Hospital at Bangalore. The project becomes operational on , in record time Baba announces the commencement of the water projects in East and West Godavari Projects. These become operational in over 150 villages by Ati Rudra Maha Yajna conducted in Chennai in the presence of Baba; installation of Sai Sundareshwara Lingam at Sundaram Sahasra Poornachandra Darshana Yajna is conducted for three days at Prasanthi Nilayam. A high profile conference on Ethics and the World of Finance held at the Sai University where India s leading bankers and financial experts participate. Baba addresses the valedictory function of the conference. Baba inaugurates Sri Sathya Sai Panduranga Kshetra at Hadshi, Maharashtra. SANATHANA DHARMA STHAPANA: 2005 ONWARDS 2005 Festical of Joy, All India Conference for Balvikas students held at Prasanthi Nilayam On the auspicious Ugadi day, Baba shifts to His new residence - Yajur Mandir Sri Sathya Sai International Centre for Sports, an Olympicstandards Indoor Stadium, and the Silver Jubilee Commemorative Building of the Sai University are inaugurated. Sri Sathya Sai World Foundation started. Ati Rudra Maha Yajna conducted at Prasanthi Nilayam by Baba for universal peace and welfare; Installation of the Sayeeshwara Lingam in the Prasanthi Mandir. Sri Sathya Sai Panduranga Kshetra Baba inaugurates Sai Ananda Villas at Shimla. President of India, Smt. Pratibha Patil is the Chief Guest for Ladies Day Function at Prasanthi Nilayam. Baba gives His last public discourse on the occasion of the 29 th Convocation of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning at Prasanthi Nilayam. 85 th year of Baba s Divine Advent celebrated across India and 125 countries. Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini Project, aimed at bringing quality education to the rural schools through technology inaugurated on November 23 rd. Continued on Page 13 Do Not Just Preach; Practice

15 15 Continued from Page March 1 st Baba releases a special volume on the eve of the Maha Shivaratri festival - a compilation on His life and journeys over the past 8 decades titled Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam ( ). This is the last book released by Him. March 20 th Swami gives His last Darshan to His disciples. He does Namaskarams to disciples. April 24 th Sri Sathya Sai Baba makes the transition from the form to the formless. Over the next 3 days, over half a million people pay their last respects to Baba. April 27 th Swami s physical form laid to rest at the sanctum sanctorium in the Sai Kulwant Hall with state honours and a multi-faith ceremony at the very spot where He used to sit daily and grant Darshan to thousands of devotees. March 28 th Sri Sathya Sai Baba hospitalised at His Super Speciality Hospital. (Ref: India Today) SRI SATHYA SAI BABA S REGIONAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION T his year, the 90 th Birth Anniversary of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba will be held at Regional level on Sunday 05 th November 2015 at the Sathya Sai Centre of Tyack at 15:30hrs. The Regional Committee of Savanne cordially invites you, your family and friends to participate in the celebrations. The programme will include the life and message of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. T he Regional Committee of Savanne thanks all devotees for their help and support. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the team. You can also send your articles to the Newsletter team on the address provided. REGIONAL COMMITTEE OF SAVANNE (Region 1) Phone: saisavanne@gmail.com Website: Facebook: Region 1 Savanne - Sathya Sai International Organisation Mauritius God is Love, Peace & Strength