SSSSO Amritha Kalasam.Cdr

AUM SRI SAI RAM

SRI SATHYA SAI SEVA ORGANISATIONS ( INDIA ) Tamil Nadu

SRI SATHYA SAI TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Reaching Out To Reach Within

Amritha Kalasam

Report on the Distribution of Amritha Kalasam (Grocery Kits) to the Tribal Families in Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu, India Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba & His Avataric Mission Selﬂess Service by the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, India

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Avatar of the age has taught to mankind through His Life, His ideals and His humanitarian works that Love and Service are the two Though there are many voluntary wings through which man should strive to organizations carrying out humanitarian realize His inherent divinity. aid, the uniqueness of the Sri Sathya Sai B h a g a w a n B a b a h a s l a i d u t m o s t Seva Organisations (SSSSO) lies in its importance to Selfless Service and Service service activities rendered in a selfless to the needy and the neglected by adoring manner with love as the driving force as the God in every form. Swami Says taught by Bhagawan Baba. This act of “Sevā (selfless service) is the adoration of selfless service facilitates man to realize the Lord as Vishwa-Virāt Swarūpa, God his innate divinity while looking upon w i t h m u l t i - f a c e d f o r m a n d w i t h those who he serves to be of the same immanence in the entire cosmos. The Vedas divine principle. described Him as 'thousand-headed, Bhagawan Baba says thousand-eyed, thousand-footed'. The “Service should be rendered to those who thousands of hands and eyes and feet are are worse off than us and who are neglected all His, the Lord's. Worship Him. That is the by the world. It is the weak, the destitute purpose of your Sevā ” and the helpless who need to be served. Even in rendering service to such persons, (Sathya Sai Speaks 8.33: September 22, there should be no feeling that we are 1968) serving 'others'. We should feel that we are serving the Lord Narayana who dwells in Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on the downtrodden them”.

The current Covid-19 pandemic has brought the world to a standstill and rendered (Sathya Sai Speaks 20.26: November 19, humanity speechless. The tiny spec of the organism invisible to human eye has 1987) infected and affected millions of human lives, and the fear of the pandemic and consequent lockdown has left incomprehensible trail of destruction on many more As per Bhagawan's teachings, the SSSSO lives. While the Governments are putting their valiant effort to primarily control the have sprung into action by creating Corona pandemic, there are several off-shoot issues that have cropped up due to the community kitchens and providing lockdown, which they are finding hard to cope-up with. One such gripping and hard- e s s e n t i a l g r o c e r y i t e m s t o t h e hitting issue is to take care of the population that has been pushed into starvation due downtrodden while following strictly the to loss of livelihood and the daily bread. The Indian Government has sought the G overnment guidelines of safety support of voluntary spiritual and social organizations to help the hunger-struck measures and social distancing. downtrodden, and those organizations have equally reciprocated. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba & His Avataric Mission Selfless Service by the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, India

The current Covid-19 pandemic has brought the world to a standstill and rendered (Sathya Sai Speaks 20.26: November 19, humanity speechless. The tiny spec of the organism invisible to human eye has 1987) infected and affected millions of human lives, and the fear of the pandemic and consequent lockdown has left incomprehensible trail of destruction on many more As per Bhagawan's teachings, the SSSSO lives. While the Governments are putting their valiant effort to primarily control the have sprung into action by creating Corona pandemic, there are several off-shoot issues that have cropped up due to the community kitchens and providing lockdown, which they are finding hard to cope-up with. One such gripping and hard- e s s e n t i a l g r o c e r y i t e m s t o t h e hitting issue is to take care of the population that has been pushed into starvation due downtrodden while following strictly the to loss of livelihood and the daily bread. The Indian Government has sought the G overnment guidelines of safety support of voluntary spiritual and social organizations to help the hunger-struck measures and social distancing. downtrodden, and those organizations have equally reciprocated. Sri Sathya Sai National Tribal Development Programme Aid from Prasanthi Trust, Inc. USA

In India, while the Covid lockdown has affected the livelihoods of many in the villages, As the Covid-19 is leaving devastating imprints worldwide, it has also prompted it is the tribal population inhabiting the remote areas and in the forests who are the incalculable gestures from noble hearts to rescue the hapless. The Prasanthi Trust, most affected, adding agony to their already difficult standards of living. Inc. which is doing yeomen selfless service to the disadvantaged brethren in the areas To render service activities to the tribal people in India, the SSSSO during November of Educare, Healthcare and Sociocare have come forward to reach out to those lives 2019, with the divine blessings of Bhagawan Baba initiated the Sri Sathya Sai National affected by the Covid lockdown in India and more so to the tribal people in the Nilgiris Tribal Development Programme at Prasanthi Nilayam. A five-year plan was laid out to district. The Trust has come forward to donate Amrutha Kalasam (Grocery) Kits as carry out the programme on a nine-point agenda of infrastructure, medical, women Bhagawan Baba's prasadam and as immediate relief to 1200 tribal families in the and child health, education, agriculture, free mass marriages, social and cultural care, Nilgiris. skill development and individual well being.

Tribal Development Programme in Tamil Nadu Each Amritha Kalasam Kit consists of the following items,

Nilgiris is home to many indigenous communities. In Tamilnadu, among the 36 the cost of each kit being Rs. 500. scheduled tribes, the Government of India identifies six communities viz., the Todas, Kotas, Kurumbas, Irulas, Paniyas, and Kattunayakans as Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs). All these six Primitive Tribal groups live in the Nilgiris district among which the Todas, Kotas, Kurumbas and Paniyans live exclusively in the Nilgiri district. The above- mentioned tribal groups along with t h e B a d a g a c o m m u n i t y a r e considered as indigenous groups of the Nilgiri district, the Badagas being When the SUPREME importance to Selfless cutting across its length the primitive among the various other PARABRAHMAN decided Service and Service to the and breadth. It is a communities. to manifest itself into a needy and the neglected melting pot of races and According to the 2011 census, the total human form and by adoring the God in tribes and has the second population of the Nilgiri district was descended down to make every form. The Tribal largest tribal population 7.35 lakhs, out of which the tribal an earthly sojourn as people being the in the world. The population was 28889, constituting Sl. No. Item Quantity BHAGAWAN SRI SATHYA neglected lot received indigenous tribal 3.9 percent of the total general 1 Rice 5 Kg SAI BABA, the primary abundant love from communities constitute population. The tribal population in purpose was to teach man SWAMI during his an unique cultural group 2 Thoor Dal 1 Kg N i l g i r i d i s t r i c t i s n o t e v e n l y to realize his innate physical presence. that by and large lives in 3 Sugar 500 gm distributed among the six taluks divinity and elevate him The distinctive feature of geographical isolation. 4 Atta 1 Kg (Blocks as shown in the Map). 53.5 to the level of the divine. our country lies in its They are known for their 5 Rock Salt 1 Kg percent of them live in the Gudalur and Pandalur taluks, 21.5 percent in Kotagiri taluk, SWAMI, has laid utmost diverse cultural identities unique culture, belief 6 Sambar Powder 250 gm 16.3 percent of them live in Udhagamandalam and Kundah taluks and 8.7 percent in the Coonoor taluk. 7 Tea 100 gm By Bhagawan's grace, the Nilgiris district SSSSO have carried out service activities 8 Coconut Oil 100 ml Other spices (Pepper/ Jeera/ such as Grama (Village) Seva and Mass marriages to 75 tribal couples in the past and is 9 500 gm looking to intensify service activities in the tribal areas. Mustard/ Cumin/ Turmeric) Distribution of Amritha Kalasam to Tribal families in Gudalur and Pandalur Taluks Amritha Kalasam kits were distributed to the tribal families and the disadvantaged in The prepared kits (400 units) were taken for distribution to the tribal villages located the tribal villages of Gudalur taluk on 21st and 22nd May 2020 and to the tribal families in different corners of the Gudalur and Pandalur taluks. Prior approval from the of Pandalur Taluk on 25th May 2020. district administration was obtained and distribution of the kits was made by the Procurement of grocery items and preparing of the kits were made at the Sri Sathya Sai Government officials (Tahsildar, Revenue Inspector and Village Administration Seva Samithi in Gudalur. The Sevadal volunteers of the Gudalur Samithi, both men Officer) following the guidelines of safety and social distancing set by the Government and women, old and young showed great enthusiasm in transporting the grocery administration. The Sevadals assisted in the kits distribution. As a couple of villages items and neatly preparing the grocery kits with an attitude of selfless service and as a were located at difficult terrains, arrangements were made to bring the village people token of love to their beloved Guru and God, Bhagawan Baba. to convenient spots (close to the highway) to facilitate the distribution. The details of the number of units of Amrutha Kalasam distributed are as follows. Amritha Kalasam Kits preparation at Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, Gudalur

Date of Number of Kits Tribal Village/Area Beneficiaries Distribution distributed Gudalur Taluk Kottaya Mattam 40 21-05-2020 Kothadi Pudur Tribal families 45 Thaduoou Kolli 30 Eetti Mula 15 Gudalur Taluk 22-05-2020 Differently-abled 110 Around Gudalur Town Pandalur Taluk Kaiyunni Suurat Tribal families 160 25-05-2020 Muttin Moola Kappala Thiru Mangalam Pandalur Town Total Number of Amritha Kalasam Kits distributed 400 Distribution of Amritha Kalasam to Tribal families in Gudalur and Pandalur Taluks Amritha Kalasam kits were distributed to the tribal families and the disadvantaged in The prepared kits (400 units) were taken for distribution to the tribal villages located the tribal villages of Gudalur taluk on 21st and 22nd May 2020 and to the tribal families in different corners of the Gudalur and Pandalur taluks. Prior approval from the of Pandalur Taluk on 25th May 2020. district administration was obtained and distribution of the kits was made by the Procurement of grocery items and preparing of the kits were made at the Sri Sathya Sai Government officials (Tahsildar, Revenue Inspector and Village Administration Seva Samithi in Gudalur. The Sevadal volunteers of the Gudalur Samithi, both men Officer) following the guidelines of safety and social distancing set by the Government and women, old and young showed great enthusiasm in transporting the grocery administration. The Sevadals assisted in the kits distribution. As a couple of villages items and neatly preparing the grocery kits with an attitude of selfless service and as a were located at difficult terrains, arrangements were made to bring the village people token of love to their beloved Guru and God, Bhagawan Baba. to convenient spots (close to the highway) to facilitate the distribution. The details of the number of units of Amrutha Kalasam distributed are as follows. Amritha Kalasam Kits preparation at Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, Gudalur

Date of Number of Kits Tribal Village/Area Beneficiaries Distribution distributed Kotagiri Taluk Garikayur 125 Bangalapadi 36 Vakkanamaram 26 Samakoodal 18 Pongamokkai Tribal families 6 24-05-2020 Mudiyur 8 Sakkapadigal 6 Kokkodu 23 Bavikarai 4 Kozhithorai 21 Kozhikarai 127 Total Number of Amritha Kalasam Kits distributed 400 During the discussions with the NAWA, it came to light that the tribals who are basically forest dwellers and agricultural laborers are pushed into very difficult conditions as a consequence of the Covid lockdown, the elders and children being the most affected because of starvation. The NAWA has started running Village Community Kitchens (VCKs) in 26 tribal villages to provide one full meal per day for the tribals. The VCKs are basically run by the village people themselves with the NAWA providing the dry rations for the food. The NAWA has sought the help of the Sai Organisation in this regard and the Sai Organisation has put forward its interest to provide one meal per day as part of the VCK programme. There are around 30 Sathya Sai Seva Samithis in the Nilgiris district and each Samithi is to take care of the dry rice requirement for one meal per day, supply it to the NAWA and NAWA in turn will supply it to the concerned tribal villages. This programme will cater to food needs as Nithya Narayana Seva for about 600 tribal people. In this context the aid of grocery kits from Prasanthi Trust Inc. has been extremely helpful and very timely. It is proposed to donate vegetables grown by devotees to this kitchen as an offering to Bhagawan's 95th Birthday Celeberations. Distribution of Amritha Kalasam to Tribal families in Amritha Kalasam distribution to the tribal families and differently-abled personnel in Gudalur and Pandalur Taluks Kotagiri Taluk For the distribution of Amritha Kalasam kits to the tribal families in the Kotagari region, the Sai Organisation office bearers held prior discussions with the Nilgiri Adi Wasi Association (NAWA) in Kotagiri and sought its assistance. Procurement and preparation of the kits was carried out by Sevadal volunteers of the Sathya Sai Seva Samithis in and around the Kotagiri region and the kits were distributed in the tribal villages with assistance from the staff members of NAWA. The details of the tribal villages and beneficiaries are tabulated.

Date of Number of Kits Tribal Village/Area Beneficiaries Distribution distributed Kotagiri Taluk Garikayur 125 Bangalapadi 36 Vakkanamaram 26 Samakoodal 18 Pongamokkai Tribal families 6 24-05-2020 Mudiyur 8 Sakkapadigal 6 Kokkodu 23 Bavikarai 4 Kozhithorai 21 Kozhikarai 127 Total Number of Amritha Kalasam Kits distributed 400 During the discussions with the NAWA, it came to light that the tribals who are basically forest dwellers and agricultural laborers are pushed into very difficult conditions as a consequence of the Covid lockdown, the elders and children being the most affected because of starvation. The NAWA has started running Village Community Kitchens (VCKs) in 26 tribal villages to provide one full meal per day for the tribals. The VCKs are basically run by the village people themselves with the NAWA providing the dry rations for the food. The NAWA has sought the help of the Sai Organisation in this regard and the Sai Organisation has put forward its interest to provide one meal per day as part of the VCK programme. There are around 30 Sathya Sai Seva Samithis in the Nilgiris district and each Samithi is to take care of the dry rice requirement for one meal per day, supply it to the NAWA and NAWA in turn will supply it to the concerned tribal villages. This programme will cater to food needs as Nithya Narayana Seva for about 600 tribal people. In this context the aid of grocery kits from Prasanthi Trust Inc. has been extremely helpful and very timely. It is proposed to donate vegetables grown by devotees to this kitchen as an offering to Bhagawan's 95th Birthday Celeberations. Amritha Kalasam distribution to the tribal families in Kotagiri Taluk by Sevadal Volunteers Distribution of Amritha Kalasams to Tribal families in and staff members of NAWA Kundah and Coonoor Taluks The third batch of 400 Amritha Kalasam kits were distributed in the tribal areas of Kundah and Coonoor taluks. The Sevadal volunteers of Sai Samithis in these regions carried out the distribution in the presence of Government officials taking into account the norms and precautionary measures. The details of kits distributed are tabulated.

Number of Date of Tribal Village/Area Beneficiaries Kits Distribution distributed Kundah Taluk JJ Nagar Kamraj Nagar Tribal families 85 25-05-2020 Thania kandi Koormiapuram Bellathi Combai Kundah Taluk Nedugal Combai 53 Veera Combai 10 27-05-2020 Sekatrayan Malai Tribal families 12 Malara Leese 21 Neerdu Combai 15 Marutha Combai 4 Coonoor Taluk Mooperkadu Tribal families 52 27-05-2020 Oonjaladucombai 17 Palaniappa 31 Burliar- Pudu kadu 100 Total Number of Amritha Kalasam Kits distributed 400 Amritha Kalasam distribution to the tribal families in Kotagiri Taluk by Sevadal Volunteers Distribution of Amritha Kalasams to Tribal families in and staff members of NAWA Kundah and Coonoor Taluks The third batch of 400 Amritha Kalasam kits were distributed in the tribal areas of Kundah and Coonoor taluks. The Sevadal volunteers of Sai Samithis in these regions carried out the distribution in the presence of Government officials taking into account the norms and precautionary measures. The details of kits distributed are tabulated.

The SSSSO, Tamil Nadu is very grateful to the Prasanthi Trust, Inc. USA for providing the means to this service opportunity at this critical juncture for the people in need. It offers its prayers to Bhagawan to shower His blessings on the Trust to grow manifold and continue doing selfless service to the distressed and the deserved. We offer our sincere gratitude and dedicate this effort at Bhagawan's Divine Lotus Feet as it is He who inspires, He who provides the opportunity, He is the One who serves and He is the One being served. We pray to Him for His continuous guidance and blessings for more such Seva opportunities.

Jai Sai Ram.

“Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu” Amritha Kalasam distribution to the tribal families in Kundah and Coonoor Taluks Oﬀering the Seva at His Lotus Feet

Jai Sai Ram.

“Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu”