Vice Chancellor's Address - 28th Annual Convocation 22 Nov 2009	Evening Program	Convocation Address PROF. SAMUEL SANDWEISS, M.D.
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On the auspicious 22nd November morning, at the end of an hour long inspiring Divine Discourse, Bhagawan, praising His students, asked them to sing a song in unison! And they sang the famous song of Divine Romance, a student composition: “Hum Ko Thum Se Pyaar Kitha…” After the song Bhagawan said, His hunger was satiated.

The Convocation Drama for the year 2009 that was staged on the 21st evening was a pointer towards the Sathya Sai Model of Education, a model the world needs in the present times. …And on the heels of this Drama came the 28th Annual Convocation.

The 28th Annual Convocation of Sri Sathya Sai University was held on the 22nd November 2009, in a glittering ceremony that had its grandeur, richly deserved for the yeomen service the University has been rendering in the field of education for more than a quarter century.

This prestigious institution that is undoubtedly the one of its kind that has won attention and accolades for simple reason that it promotes value education with spiritual orientation helping in engendering students whom Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba prefers to address as future ambassadors, has thousands of such students in its alumni list who are engaged in relentless service activities in different part of the world, following the invaluable inputs that they received before leaving the portals of this great institution.


Deviating from the existing practice, the Convocation was held on the morning of 22nd November, against the normal practice of evening convocations.

The Chief Guest for Convocation was Dr. Samuel Sandweiss from the US, an eminent psychiatrist with years of experience, author of many books and a long time devotee of Bhagawan.

Maharashtra Chief Minister, Mr. Ashok Chavan also was present during the occasion.

Adding to the festive ambience of the aesthetically decorated venue, the Sai Kulwant Hall, over 1500 men and women belonged to the university, in colourful garbs, dotted in the centre, joined by thousands of devotees spilling the spacious Sai Kulwant Hall.

Earlier in the morning, Bhagawan made a special round of inspection into the venue, overseeing the arrangements, a regular routine every year.

With the final touches being done, ensuring perfection, meeting the expected benchmark, cameramen and reporters vying for the best possible angle for effective coverage, men and women running around for vantage positions for closer glance of the proceedings, the venue was a scene of frenzy of activities.

The procession leading the Chancellor to the dais started precisely at 9:55 p.m. University Registrar carrying the ceremonial mace, accompanied by two students carrying the scepter on which the Institute Insignia was embossed led the procession followed by the University Boys’ Band. Members of the Governing Body and Members of the Institute Trust followed them. Bhagawan, the Chancellor of the University, shining in His convocation crimson coloured robe entered the hall precisely at 10 a.m. as was announced.

Upon entering the specially decorated dais, Bhagawan declared the 28th Annual Convocation open upon requested by the Vice Chancellor.

His mellifluous nectarous voice was heard, echoing in the backdrop of pin drop silence, reverberating in the Sai Kulwant Hall.

“I declare… the convocation open” and this was received with relentless thunderous applause.

Referring to the blurred scenario of current time taking education to a backseat, Prof. Pandit lauded the educational system followed by the University.



The ancient system of Gurukula education has been effectively reinvented to suit the modern times. No doubt this must verily be the only university of its kind in the entire world. The daily interaction that students have with the Revered Chancellor of this University is unthinkable anywhere else. The purpose is to mould the students’ mind and intellect filling the heart with Love for all.

Lamenting on the present day trend of converting education into business, the vice chancellor opined that time has come for the Lord to redeem His promise to reincarnate
and take the world back to Sanathana Dharma.

The Vice Chancellor in his inspirational rhetoric also covered the inception of the first college at Anantapur followed by the ones in Brindavan and Prasanthi Nilayam, education imparted stressing on character building, UGC appraisal on the University’s performance, various extra-curricular activities undertaken, and about the alumni spread in different parts of the world, becoming role models in the society.

After the gold medals and doctors of philosophy were conferred to the qualified students, Vice Chancellor read out the pledge to the student to repeat after him. Total of 21 students were given away gold medals for various disciplines and four were awarded Ph.D.

 

This was followed by the Chief Guest Address by Dr. Samuel Sandweiss. 

Dr. Samuel Sandweiss.   in his philosophical address that often leaned towards Bhagawan and His love, exhorted the students of the University that they are the children of God and they should be ever ready to serve Him.

You are the children of God, heroes in action, great soldiers in the age of Kali. – The mother is awaiting your arrival on the scene."

Hold tight and be ready to serve. Here is a story about fierce determination in service and sacrificial love ever ready to serve Swami.

Talking about his own explorations to find His God, illustrious life of John Hislop and his unflinching devotion to Bhagawan, the guest speaker had a word of advice to the students:

“Students, I know the love in your hearts, I share it -- I've heard you chirping frequently in front of Swami – Swami, Swami, Swami – Swami, Swami, Swami -- I've seen Him moved by your yearning. I pray He hears this plaintive cry from fledgling birds about to fly--and blesses us with His precious words of love”

Calling the five essential human values, Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahima as the very foundation of humankind, Bhagawan in His exhilarating Divine Discourse exhorted one and all to inculcate the human values, without which education becomes useless.

Education we receive today is worldly, transitory, ever-changing and secular. Referring to the millions of students and others around the world, having high qualifications, Bhagawan made a mention about the absolute need to extend our helping hand to the society helping the poor and needy.

We need to have a check on our desires. Wealth, position and possession will not grant you immortality, said Bhagawan raising concerns about mankind drowning in selfishness.

Education is essential for a living, to live in this world. Elaborating on this point and the growing trend of education used for selfish gains, Bhagawan stressed on the importance of looking inside to know the effulgence within. Calling five human values as absolute essentials to earn bliss within, Bhagawan said, external knowledge would grant us joy while five values would confer bliss within. Education is seeking the external knowledge while educare is all about knowledge within.

Love is one and uniform and that love is God. One who has love enshrined in his heart would manifest God within, and this love would help you to keep you away from all difficulties.

Love is God and live in Love.

One need to practice what he has learned by acquiring degrees, said Bhagawan referring to acquiring more and more degrees.

Mother has to be loved and revered. Mother is the foundation, father is the wall, Preceptor is the roof and God is Your Life, said Bhagawan highligting the importance of famous adage, Matha Pitha Guru Daivam.

Highlighting on the necessity of inculcating human values, Bhagawan assured that with innate human values, one could always ensure Divine protection.

Touching on the point, Daiva Preeti, Paapa Bheeti, Sangha Neeti, Bhagawan asked the students to behave in society to earn a good name. There is a greater necessity to eliminate bad thoughts. Due to the effect of the Kali Age, such thoughts would creep in, but we need to check it, exhorted Bhagawan to the students.

Ending His Divine Discourse, Bhagawan asked the students to practise what Dr. Sandweiss has spoken about in His guest speech. Good Behaviour, Good Virtues and Good Name are to be earned.

Calling Sathya Sai students to be the best among the whole lot of students, He ended His Divine Benedictory Discourse exhorting them to earn a good name.

In the evening there was a Carnatic Recital programme by Bombay Jayasree followed by a enchanting Musical Show by the Little Champs from Pune. Little Champs were privileged to perform in the Divine Presence at Hadshi, during Bhagawan's recent visit to Pune.

Evening Program: Sunday, Nov 22, 2009

In the evening, Swami came for darshan at 5.10 pm and after His round of the hall, He blessed a cake presented by the Hospital staff on the 18th anniversary of the Super Speciality Hospital here. He moved to the bhajan hall where the "Little Champs", the singers for the evening were seated and then to the interview room. He emerged from there to take a round of the verandah and sit onstage, talking to the Maharashtra Chief Minister there and

calling up singer Smt. Bombay Jayashree to give a performance at 6.20 pm. After her half-hour performance, Swami blessed her and the accompanists with clothes and called up the five children who were to sing next. These children had sung before Bhagavan at Hadshi on His  Maharashtra trip last month . After they sang for 50 minutes one by one, He asked for some songs with Swaras, and the two boys obliged. He then blessed them with shawls and the girls with sarees, interacting with them and listening to two more song by all of them together. After blessing the artistes with clothes and apple prasadam, it was half-past eight when Swami returned to His residence.

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