Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh
The valedictory function of the Annual Sports & Cultural Meet 2020 for the Sri Sathya Sai educational institutions was held on this auspicious Makara Sankranti morning here, in Prasanthi Nilayam. The valedictory function mainly composes of prize distribution ceremony for the annual meet, featuring talks and band offerings.
The programme commenced shortly after 8:20 hrs with a grand procession comprising the University brass band, Veda chanting and a flag-bearing squad.
The Master of Ceremonies, Sri S Sai Manohar, Warden, Muddenahalli Campus and Asst. Professor, Dept. Of Management & Commerce, SSSIHL, in his introductory talk spoke about the auspiciousness of the day’s festivity and its associated cosmic changes relevant to man. We need to seek the blessing of the ultimate trophy – the gift of offering all our efforts at His Lotus Feet, said the speaker.
The first talk of the event was delivered by Dr (Miss) PL Rani, Associate Professor & HOD at English Language & Literature, SSSIHL. She likened the Sports and Cultural Meet to a spiritual allegory. There is much more to it than what meets the eye. The need for God and the longing for His presence, for example, is felt in the burst of crackers or the harmony in the various events between participants is akin to that of the thought, word and deed within all of us. When we achieve this, along with utmost humility, God enshrines HimSelf in the centre of our beings and becomes the eternal witness to all we do, reflected Dr PL Rani.
She deliberated on the Sports and Cultural Meet being the process of purification and how it brings a synchronicity between intention and action. When you have purity of purpose, God responds in the same spirit, and more. Ultimately, just as when the student in a motorbike stunt, during his or her performance, forgets all the precise movements and mathematical calculations (achieved during the weeks of practice), and takes a leap of faith, life too is about taking the grand leap of faith, she concluded.
Brief speeches by students representing all institutions and campuses followed next. The speakers were Miss Mudundi Amrutha, III B.Sc. (Hons.) in Physics of Anantapur Campus, Sri Arvind Narayan of XII Std. SSSHSS, Sri Suhas Subramanya, III B.B.A. of Muddenahalli Campus, Sri Rishikesh V S, III B.Sc. (Hons.) in Biosciences of Brindavan Campus, and Sri Sridhar K M, II M.B.A. of Prasanthi Nilayam Campus. The talks cantered around the deep significance the Sports and Cultural Meet has for all students. From chiselling their personalities by growing their inner qualities (such as patience and perseverance) to finding the real purpose behind everything they do. The speaker cited examples of how the events bring out their latent talents, but more importantly, how it is all stringed together—almost magically – in such a short period of time. In order to achieve the best result possible, students morph their personalities, often for events which are not natural to their talent or liking, thus moving them out of their comfort zone. All of this can only be achieved with teamwork and unity. In the end, ultimately, the Annual Sports & Cultural Meet becomes a grand journey of self-exploration.
Following the talks, the Founder Chancellor’s Cups – symbolizing the grand effort put in by each institution given – were awarded by Sri K Chakravarthi, IAS (Retd.), Chancellor, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. The respective captains and vice-captains of each Sai institution and campus received the cups.
Trophies of the House and Individual champions of SSSHSS and each SSSIHL campus under various categories were given away.
This was followed by the Divine benediction of Bhagawan. “The one who can win over the mind can win over anything in the Universe; said Bhagawan discoursing on the power and intricacies of the mind. There is no greater power than the mind. Mind is the primal cause responsible for either bondage or liberation. Man is unable to control his mind today. If you control your mind, you will be able to control anything. He appreciated the enthusiasm and dynamism with which the students approached the Annual Sports & Cultural Meet and how they did it with the intention of pleasing Bhagawan.
Bhagawan further asked the students to dedicate all their words, thoughts and actions to God in perfect harmony and consider everything as an offering to God. This is true Bharatiya culture. Bhagawan concluded by urging students to uphold and maintain the twin principles of Sathya and Dharma and lead an ideal life.
Following bhajans and a few numbers by the Anantapur Brass Band, the grand festive event concluded at11 hrs.
