| Mon, Nov 22, 2010: 85th Birthday News & Photos - Festival of Divine Love: Monday morning presents the frenzy mood of devotees vying to get a place inside the Sai Kulwant Hall, the venue of the 29th annual convocation of SSSIHL. The Chief Guest, His Excellency The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh is expected to arrive at 1045 hrs. Convocation is expected to begin at 11:00 hrs. This is going to be the second visit of the high dignitary; his earlier visit was in 1995, as Finance Minister of India, with the same assignment as Chief Guest of Convocation during the 70th birthday celebrations. Unending serpentine lines of devotees, both ladies and gents, started snaking through the lanes and bylanes of ashram from the early hours. With the Prime Minister arriving and a host of other Central and State Ministers, State Governor and Chief Minister are expected to accompany, heavy security blanket has been thrown throughout the township by the State Police. Annual Convocation 2010 of SSSIHL The annual convocation of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning was held in Sai Kulwant Hall in a glittering ceremony graced by the Chancellor of the Institute Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba attended by Chief Guest for the convocation His Excellency The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh along with a host of glitterati from the political world. Source & credits: copyrights-Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust,sssbpt.org
Picture graphic layout - Saibabaofindia.com "SBOI" The host of dignitaries included Sri K. Rosaiah, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri E.S.L. Narasimhan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Y.S. Yeddyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri Shivraj Patil, Governor of Punjab, Sri M.K. Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Sri Sushil Kumar Shinde, Union Minister for Power, Sri Ashok Chavan, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Dr. Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Sons, Tata Consultancy Services Chairman Sri N. Chandrasekaran, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Consultancy Services. The Convocation procession started at 11.10 a.m. from Yajur Mandir with the Institute Brass Band leading the procession playing sonorous tunes. Bhagawan in a crimson-hued robe along with the Chief Guest and a host of glitterati from the world of politics were ushered in to the venue by the Band followed by a student carrying the Sceptre on one side while the Registrar carrying the Ceremonial Mace. As the procession reached the dais, the Vice Chancellor of the Institute Dr. Shashidhara Prasad garlanded the Prime Minister. Ceremonial Vedic chants for the Convocation followed. On the request of the Vice Chancellor, the Chancellor of the Institute Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba declared the Convocation open and pressed the button to unveil the plaque of 29th Convocation of the Institute. On the dais along with Bhagawan and the Prime Minister were seated the Governor and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. On the other side facing the dais were seated the members of the Academic Council. | | | 
| | Source & credits: copyrights-Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust,sssbpt.org
Picture graphic layout - Saibabaofindia.com "SBOI" |
Extending a cordial welcome The Vice Chancellor spoke about the Institute before getting into introducing the honourable Chief Guest for the occasion. Institute Oath was administered after which doctorates and gold medals were given away by the Divine Chancellor.
Dr. Manmohan Singh delivering the convocation speech Dr. Manmohan Singh recalled his earlier visit as Chief Guest in 1995. Opining about the International status of Prasanthi Nilayam, Dr. Singh highlighted on the point of diversity here, watching the microcosm in the township. "Yours is a relatively young University, already established its place as a centre of excellence", lauded the erudite Chief Guest. Dr. Singh then paraphrased the words of Baba: "This is not a place to earn degrees, but a place to cultivate self-sacrifice, self-knowledge leading to self-realisation". The true meaning of education is knowledge in action, said Dr. Singh. Speaking on the hallmark of education, Dr. Singh said is to combine science with spirituality. Addressing the students, Dr. Manmohan Singh said, you are graduating today. I have no doubt you will face challenges, but you will come successful, I have no doubt. You have been exposed to fine minds, excellent libraries. Dr Singh advised that the students that your life will not be complete if you do not reach out to those less unfortunate ones. Render help to them. God bless each and every one of you. With the Institute Brass Band rendering the National Anthem, the Convocation function came to a close at 12.15 p.m. After the function, Bhagawan went inside the interview room with Dr. Manmohan Singh. After a few minutes, Bhagawan and Dr. Manmohan Singh emerged from the interview room and came on the stage. What followed was the Divine Benedictory Message. The Academic Council members too came on the dais after some time. Pouring Divine Wisdom as usual, Bhagawan spoke about the glory of Bharatiya culture, the innate divinity, the greater importance of discipline in life, before coming into the crux of the message, on the importance of educare in the present day. There is no unity at the national level. There is no unity, but instead there is enmity. Everyone should work for the unity of this land. In fact, in every field of public life, unity is required, echoed Bhagawan. Concluding His benedictory message, Bhagawan exhorted: All are the children of God. You should mingle with each other as brothers. This is the message of Bhagawan on this occasion of Convocation. Mangala Arathi was offered at 1310 hrs. The Prime Minister was called inside the Interview Room for a private audience that lasted for thirty minutes, upon which Bhagawan retired for the session. Read the complete Convocation Report & excerpts from Swami's discourse - click here
In the evening: This was the penultimate evening before the big day and none had any special schedules for the evening, but the Divine! He had His set plans and the evening turned out to become a glittering Birthday Eve, a carnatic session, showcasing the abundance of talent in His backyard! Emerging at 1900 hrs. in the evening to soul-filling tunes of spirited bhajans Bhagawan went for a complete round before coming on to the Verandah. "Prema Pravaham" music troupe were called inside the bhajan hall for a short session after which Bhagawan emerged on stage for some flash seconds before retiring to the Interview Room for the next five minutes. Team Vidya Vahini also got to interact with Bhagawan. The Vidya Vahini Project will be officially launched tomorrow, on the occasion of 85th birthday celebrations. | |  | | | | Source & credits: copyrights-Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust,sssbpt.org
Picture graphic layout - Saibabaofindia.com "SBOI" | Returning on stage at 1920 hrs. Bhagawan blessed the State Governor, Sri ESL Narasimhan who sat squatting on stage. A host of VIPs including Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Dy. CM, Tamin Nadu, Sri M.K. Stalin, Sri Ashok Chavan, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Dr. Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Sons were also present for the evening session. Assuming the Seat of The Divine, Bhagawan went on glancing through letters, as bhajans continued. In the meanwhile, blessed prasadam went for distribution. | |  | | | | Source & credits: copyrights-Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust,sssbpt.org
Picture graphic layout - Saibabaofindia.com "SBOI" | Bhajans continued for some more time after which a pause ensued and Bhagawan interacted with leading bhajan duo for some time. Releasing the pause bhajans continued. ...Soon the duo returned donning special clothes as instructed by Bhagawan. Some more interaction followed and the stage slowly getting set for a grand Birthday Eve Programme! At 2000 hrs. the duo took over as proposed by God Himself! An hour long session followed, with the duo singing mezmerising variety of carnatic rendition enchanting the divine. Capacity assemblage of devotees burst into loud cheers at every possible interval rejoicing the session every bit. | |  | | | | Source & credits: copyrights-Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust,sssbpt.org
Picture graphic layout - Saibabaofindia.com "SBOI" | This was not a man made proposal, but a proposal by God Himself and how soon everything came in place as willed by Him. And Prasanthi was lucky to witness a glorious Birthday Eve! Bhagawan accepted Mangala Arathi at 2100 hrs. and as He was leaving the dais, an announcement on the Birthday programme followed. It was announced that the programme would commence at 1000 hrs. in the Hill View stadium and Bhagawan would be arriving at the stadium on the Golden Chariot! When the D-Day dawns tomorrow morning, all attention would be diverted to the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium where God would be ushered in as King of kings in the Golden Chariot! | 
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