Loving Sai Ram and greetings from Prasanthi Nilayam. Around 3500 Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Alumni have gathered here to attend their 13th All India Convocation & 10th Benediction Ceremony conducted by SSSSO, India with the theme ‘Pathway to Global Peace & Harmony’. The evening proceedings began with the traditional lamp lighting done by Sri K Chakravarthi (Chairman, SSSGC), Sri RJ Rathnakar (Managing Trustee, SSSCT) and Sri Nimish Pandya (AIP,SSSSO). The revered dignitaries then released a coffee table book comprising of experiences of the Bal Vikas Alumni. The Alumni who have excelled in different walks of lives and contributed in the Divine Mission were honoured with Excellence Awards. Smt Kamala Pandya (National Mahila Coordinator, SSSSO) mentioned how the SSS Bal Vikas programme started as ‘Bal Vihar’ in 1969 and in 1971 rechristened by Swami to ‘Bal Vikas’ which has grown over the years to now being held in 15000 centres, conducted by 18000 gurus and reaching out to 350000 students all over India. The goal of this 9-year programme is the integrated personality development of every child in all areas - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. After a scintillating dance performance by the Bal Vikas girls from Sri Kalahasthi, Smt Himavahni Rathnakar along with National Mahila Coordinators awarded the gold medals to winners of the National Essay Writing competition in which 21700 students participated.