Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Educare (SSSIE), Chromepet, celebrated the 87 birth anniversary of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, for five days from November 19. On the first day of the celebration, all Mahila (women) staff and girl students conducted the programme and a senior teacher of the school addressed the gathering on the glory of womanhood.
Every year, a nearby village would be identified and served under the ‘Grama Seva,’ a part of the celebrations. This year, a nearby government high school at Nanmangalam was identified as the beneficiary. Students and staff of SSSIE, engaged themselves in the preparation and packing of tamarind rice along with 1,500 ladoos. A grand procession was organised to the village by the students and staff of SSSIE. On their way, the students visited an old age home at the same village and served lunch to all the inmates of the home and spent some time with them. At the government high school, the students of SSSIE entertained the students with cultural programme. The annual Grama Seva came to an end with prize distribution, where games were conducted and around 300 prizes were distributed.
‘Sai Sahasranama Archana’ (recitation of 1008 names of Sathya Sai Baba) was performed by the students and staff of SSSIE on the third day of the celebrations. The fourth day celebration witnessed a group prayer assembly by different class students at different venues of the school, depicting unity in diversity. R. Sai Sundar, an alumnus of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher learning, Puttaparthi, addressed students and motivated them to practice human values and virtues.
On the final day, which marked the birthday of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, celebration commenced with a grand procession to welcome Baba, which included Vedic chanting, band music, welcome song and other traditional rituals by the students. The school’s music team sangdevotional songs. Chief Guest of the day, Venugopal, District president, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Kancheepuram, addressed the students. Senior students of the school drew a rangoli picture and lighted 87 lamps to mark the 87 birth anniversary of Sathya Sai Baba. A dance and a drama depicting Indian culture and spirituality were performed by the students. One of the students acted as Baba, which reminded everyone of His physical presence. School Correspondent, P. Kumarasamy, welcomed the gathering and principal, K. Saimeera, proposed a vote of thanks.
