Om Sri Sai Ram Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation Andhra Pradesh Annual Report 1st April, 2018 to 31st March 2019 West Godavari District CONTENTS Foreword from the district president Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations – an introduction o Wings of the organisation o Administration of the organisation o The 9 point code of conduct and 10 principles Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, West Godavari o Brief history o Divine visit o Overview o Sai Centers and activities o Office bearers o Specific service projects or initiatives o Important events or conferences o Historical places and persons Glimpses of activities We humbly present this report at DIVINE LOTUS FEET OF OUR LOVING LORD “BHAGAWAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA” Sri Kanumilli Sashi Sekhara Rao District President Om Sri Sairam, My most humble and loving salutations at Divine Lotus Feet of my dearest Lord “Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba”. Dear Swami ,We would all wish to thank you for giving us this great opportunity of being part of “Sai Mission”. We pray you to be always with us never leaving our hand in doing your service . As said by you Swami “Mee Kanta, Inta Venta Janta Vunta” – “IN YOUR EYES ,IN YOUR HOME I WILL BE THERE ALONG WITH YOU .. “ FOREVER, let these blessing be always showered on us . Bhagawan’s Divine Lotus Feet sanctified our district by visiting the village of Kaikaram in 1952. This visit is lovingly remembered because that was the first visit of dear Lord to the West Godavari district and He had to travel by a bullock cart to reach the place. An ardent devotee spread silk sarees from outskirts till mandir as welcome carpet to receive Swami. We all wish to express our gratitude for most immense love and care showered by you, Swami please bless all of us to always follow your word ,walk on the path shown by you, Swami never let us deviate from you and be with us forever and ever and ever… and bless the entire world to be in peace and prosperity. “SAMASTHA LOKA SUKHINO BHAVANTHU” HISTORY The Eastern Chalukyas ruled coastal Andhra from 700 to 1200, with Vengi, near Pedavegi village, as their capital. Historical evidences are found at the villages, Pedavegi and Guntupalli (Jilakarragudem). Eluru then became a part of the Kalinga Empire until 1471. Later it fell into the hands of the Gajapathis. In 1515 Sri Krishna Deva Raya captured it. After the fall of the Vijayanagara Kingdom, it was taken by the Sultan of Golkonda, Kutub Shah.[6] On 15 April 1925, West Godavari District was formed with Eluru as its headquarters and all the district offices and regional offices were set up in Eluru city. In Andhra Pradesh, the West Godavari district is the 19th largest in terms of area ,the district occupies an area of 7,742 km2 (2,989 sq mi) and has a population density of 509/km2 (1,320/sq mi), which is the fourth most densely populated district in the state. Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 3.45%. It stands at first position in terms of literacy rate in Andhra Pradesh with 26,52,389 (74.63%) literates.20.6% of the district's population lives in Urban areas. West Godavari The District is bounded by Khammam district on the north, Bay of Bengal on the south. The Godavari River separates East Godavari district on east and Tammileru River and Kolleru Lake separates it from Krishna district on the west. WINGS OF THE ORGANISATION Sri Sathya Sai Organisation functions under three wings 1. Spiritual 2. Education 3. Service Each activity in a wing is directed to facilitate and help the member in his own spiritual advancement. Although, the nature of activities undertaken under different wings appear to be distinct and dissimilar, but there is an inherent inter relationship amongst all the three wings. The Spirituality and Service are supplementary and complementary to each other. Spirituality is the motivational force behind service and service is the fulfillment of spirituality. Therefore spiritual concepts learnt through education must be put in to practice in form of service to humanity. Thus in order to successfully realize the objective of joining the Sai Organisation, one must participate in activities of all the three wings . ACTIVITIES UNDER DIFFERENT WINGS OF THE ORGANISATION Spiritual wing Educational wing Service wing Non-formal education of children in the age group Bhajan Grama seva of 5-14 years through values Nagar Sankeertan Balvikas Slum service Medical camps and Study circles Educare health care Sadhana camps Parenting programmes Sanitation Visit to orphanages Study of sai literature /old age homes Meditation Disaster relief Vedam Poor feeding Free coaching classes NSJY and others and others THREE WINGS STAND FOR WORSHIP, WISDOM AND WORK. ADMINISTRATION OF THE ORGANISATION Headed by an All India President who is supported by National Vice President and State Presidents ,the Organisation functions like a well oiled machine in the district under the stewardship of the District President ,focused on its purpose, clear in its vision and dedicated in its efforts to live up the Swami’s message -“ LOVE ALL -- SERVE ALL”. The samithis and the bhajan mandalis constitute a genuine spiritual movement where the members are united by a common bond – LOVE FOR GOD AND SERVICE TO FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS” The members of the organization work as one cohesive unit ,whether as sevadals providing service at Prashanthi Nilayam ,at medical camps ,doing Narayan Seva or the balvikas gurus who work with young children to inspire in them a desire to inculcate the five human values of TRUTH , RIGHTEOUSNESS, LOVE, PEACE AND NON-VIOLENCE , or the teachers who having undergone the training in higher goals of life or the Sai Youth who work tirelessly in Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Programme and Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Jyothi Programme - Each of them are bound by one goal – “SERVICE TO MAN IS SERVICE TO GOD”. Emergence of SSSSO in West Godavari BHAGAWAN’S VISITS Bhagwan’s Divine Lotus Feet sanctified the village of Kaikaram in 1952. This visit is lovingly remembered because that was the first visit of dear Lord to the West Godavari district . Bhagawan’s first association was with Sri Davuluri Subbarao Garu’s Family and Sri Elisetty Satyam Garu’s Family, Swami initially visited their house and after the first Conference he told the devotees to start bhajan mandalis in the district.The First Bhajan Mandali started in Eluru in Geetha Bhavan which belonged to Sri Polisetty Govindarajulu garu. Later other Bhajan Mandalis were started simultaneously at various places like Maviduru, Marteru, Chebrole ,Mallipudi, Kaldhari, S.illindraparru, Satyavada and pangidigudem .At that time there were people like E.Satyam Garu,D.Subbarao Garu,Rama Rao garu , Govindarajulu garu, Smt.Satyavathi Garu, Smt.KanthammaGaru, Sri VenkataReddy Garu,Sri IndereswaraRao Garu,Dr.K.Bhaskararao garu,Sri VenkataRao Garu,Smt.Hemalatha Devi Garu who played the key role in introducing SSSO to the devotees of the district. After the initiation of SSSSO in West Godavari, Bhagawan visited West Godavari district 4 times. On 04.04.1965, Bhagawan visited a village Satyavada , visited Smt Kanthamma garu ‘s house. There He climbed ladder and stood on a parapet wall and delivered His divine discourse which is fondly remembered by the West Godavari devotees even today. In the 1983, Bhagawan blessed Eluru devotees with His visit. Bhagawans aircraft landed around mid noon. Many devotees waited at the airport to receive beloved Lord. Seeing the love of devotees, Bhagawan walked without foot wear in that scorching Sun. Devotees bowed down to Bhagwan’s patience and sacrifice. Bhagawan inaugurated Sri Sathya Sai Rural Development Centre in the village S.Muppavaram . During the inauguration, Bhagawan said, “You all might have differences in opinions. But for the upliftment of your village you should all be one. One can achieve anything with unity. As SSSSO worked in unison, I have come. I am declaring that SSSSO will continue to work in unison to render many more seva activities. My blessings to you all.” West Godavari devotees feel blessed to have Sri Sathya Sai Gayatri composer Brahmasri Gandikoti Subramanya Sastrygaru, author of TAPOVANAM parayana book Brahmasri Jandyala Venkatasatrygaru, Prasanthi Nilayam Mahila Canteen incharge and Andhra Pradesh Mahila Convenor Smt. Vasumathi Devi hailing from West Godavari district. Dr.K.Bhaskar Rao Garu District president, ardent devotee is instrumental form of spreading of SSSSO throughout West Godavari. Bhagawan Himself praised Sri.Bhaskara Rao Garu as Jnana Bhaskarudu. Bhagawan materialized Ring and Akshaya Vibhuthi to him. SSSSO in West Godavari was groomed by the personal monitoring of Bhagawan Himself. As mentioned, some of the fortunate ones were devotees of Bhagawan much before 1960s. Bhagawan’s grace, Devotees devotion and their practice of Bhagwan’s message together contributed to the growth of SSSSO in West Godavari. Legacy continues… DIVINE VISIT HISTORICAL PLACES OF WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT Some of the religious destinations include, 1.Dwaraka Tirumala Dwaraka Tirumala is a census town in West Godavari district . It is located in Dwaraka Tirumala mandal of Eluru revenue division. The Venkateswara Temple is a pilgrimage center for hindus, which is the abode of Lord Venkateswara. This is often referred by the locals as Chinna Tirupati . This highly revered shrine is regarded as the miniature form of 'Tirupati' or 'Chinna Tirupathi'. Actually, the temple was named after the great saint 'Dwaraka', who took the initiative to place the idol of Lord Venkateshwara. Dwaraka (Saint) did strict penance on 'Valmikam' (ant hill) to bring the self- manifested idol of Lord Venkateswara to this place. In fact, the village derived its name from the same temple. Sri Venkateshwara is regarded as Kaliyuga Vaikuntha Vasa', who is the dispeller of all worldly charms and attractions.