Puttaparthi is the abode and reservoir of humanity and humaneness as espoused by Sri Sathya Sai Baba through his message of ‘Love all, Serve all’, Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu has said.
He was addressing devotees from across the world after inaugurating ‘Sri Sathya Sai Archives’ building on Wednesday, coinciding with the week-long 92nd birth anniversary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba currently under way in Prashanti Nilayam. The archives building houses nine lakh audio cassettes, 5.5 lakh films, 7,000 manuscripts, 10,000 video tapes, and 1.5 lakh photographs depicting the life and message of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Earlier, on arrival at the Puttaparthi airport at 1.30 p.m., Mr. Venkaiah Naidu was received by Minister for Housing Kalava Srinivasulu, TDP chief whip and Puttaparthi MLA Palle Raghunatha Reddy, members of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, and district officials. At the airport, the Vice-President launched Panchayat Raj works estimated at over ₹81 lakh to be undertaken at Vengalamma Cheruvu village in Puttaparthi constituency.
Mr. Venkaiah Naidu left Puttaparthi at around 5.15 p.m. He was accompanied by MPs of Anantapur and Hindupur J.C. Diwakar Reddy and Nimmala Kistappa.
Convocation
Earlier in the day, the 45th convocation of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) was organised.
Chancellor and former CJI Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah presented degrees to 457 students, who included 18 gold medallists, under various undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional courses. They also included 12 Ph.D and one M.Phil degrees.
Delivering the convocation address, Prof. Anthony. R. West of the University of Sheffield, the U.K., advised the students to find their niche area in life and have the courage to follow their conviction.
