Contents FOREWORD FROM THEDISTRICTPRESIDENT ...... 1

SRI SATHYA SAI ORGANISATIONS –ANINTRODUCTION ...... 2

WINGS OF THE ORGANISATIONS ...... 3 ADMINISTRATION OF THE ORGANISATION ...... 3 THE 9 POINT CODE OF CONDUCT AND10 PRINCIPLES ...... 4 SRI SATHYA SAI SEVA ORGANISATIONS, [SALEM DISTRICT] ...... 5

BRIEF HISTORY ...... 5 DIVINE VISIT ...... 5 OVERVIEW ...... 5 SAI CENTRES ...... 6 ACTIVITIES ...... 6 OFFICE BEARERS ...... 9 SPECIFIC SERVICE PROJECTS OR INITIATIVES ...... 9 IMPORTANT EVENTSOR CONFERENCES ...... 9 GLIMPSES OF ACTIVITIES ...... 10

Foreword from the District President

Offering my loving pranams at the Divine Lotus Feet of our Beloved Bhagwan

Sri Varu.

The Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Salem District undertakes spiritual,

educational and service activities under the inspiration and guidance of

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

As Swamy said in His Divine speech in March'18 - 1999, Today the

whole world has recognized that if there is any Organization that is

sacred, ideal and united, it is Sathya Sai Organization. There are

many organizations in the world. But the conduct, practice and

speech (communication) that is there in Sri Sathya Sai Organization,

is not to be found elsewhere.

We are proud that really blessed to be a instrument of Sri Sathya

Sai Seva Organization.

And I am here submitting a brief report on Spiritual, Educational

and Service activities done at Salem District and we are sure that will

improve more and more on the Sai activities on coming days.

JAI SAI RAM

M.RAMACHANDRAN

District President Salem District

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations – an introduction

The Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations, founded by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in the year 1965, is a service organisation with a spiritual core and base to benefit all mankind irrespective of religion, caste, creed or sect. The Organization serves as a platform for its members to undertake service and other activities motivated by an urge for one's own transformation with the aim of realizing one's inherent . Without any distinction of religion, nationality, race, socio- economic status, either for those who work in the Organization or for those who are served by it, the Organization transcends all barriers leading humanity towards the ideal of 'Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man'. The concept of fees or membership subscription is alien to the Sri Sathya SaiSeva Organisations, forthere cannot be any fee or subscription for one's journey towards his own self. The organisation functions through its primary units called as Samithis and Bhajan Mandalis of which individuals - from different strata of society, different ethnic groups pursuing different religions and faiths -are members bound by the dictum of “ all, Serve All” and pursue their own towards self-transformation following the path of selfless service to humanity. At no point is an individual asked to follow a certain religion or rituals. On the contrary each is inspired to follow his own faith so as to ensure that a Hindi becomes a better Hindu, a Muslim becomes a better Muslim, a Christian becomes a better Christian and so on. In fact, this spiritual basis inspires everyone to pursue his own religion better by putting into practice Love and Selflessness. That is why the Organisation features in its emblem the symbols of the major religions of the world.

“The Organisations named after Me are not to be used for publicizing My Name, or creating a new cult around My worship….They must render seva (service) to the helpless, the sick, the distressed, the illiterate and the needy. Their seva (selfless service)shouldnotbeexhibitionistic;itmustseeknoreward,notevengratitudeorthanksfromtherecipients.Sevaissadhana(spiritual exercise), not a pastime of the rich and well placed. You must have the firm belief that the aim of this Organisation is to remove the obstacles that keep man away from God, that separatemaanavathwa(Humanity)fromMaadhavathwa(Divinity)..ThisOrganisationmustelevatethehumanintotheDivine.” Sri Sathya SaiBaba WINGS OF THE ORGANISATIONS Spirituality and Service are supplementary and The Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation complementary to each other. Spirituality is the functions under three wings viz. (i) Spiritual, (ii) motivational force behind service and service is the Education, and (iii) Service. fulfillment of spirituality. Therefore, spiritual Each activity in a wing is directed to facilitate concepts learnt through education must be put into and help the member in his own spiritual practice in form of service to humanity. Thus, in advancement. Although, the nature of activities order to successfully realize the objective of undertaken under different wings appear to be joining the Sai Organisation, one must participate distinct and dissimilar, but there is an inherent in activities of all the three wings. interrelationship amongst all the three wings. The three wings stand for Worship, Wisdom and Work.

Activities under different wings of the Organisation Spiritual Wing Educational Wing Service Wing

• Bhajan • Non-formal education of • Gram Seva • Nagarsankeertan children in the age group • Slums Service, of 5-14 years through • Study Circle • Medical Camps values- based educational • Sadhana Camps training, and HealthCare • Study of Sai • Bal-Vikas • Sanitation activities Literature • Educare • Visit to orphanages, old • , and age homes etc. • Parenting Programs • Others • Disaster relief • Poor feeding • Free Coaching Classes, and • Others

ADMINISTRATION OF THE ORGANISATION

Headed by an All India President who is Righteousness, Love, Peace and Non-violence, or supported by the National Vice Presidents and the teachers who having undergone the training in State Presidents, the Organisation functions like a EHV help in guiding the young minds towards the well- oiled machine in the District under the higher goals of life or the Sai Youth who work stewardship of the District President, focused on its tirelessly in the Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated purpose, clear in its vision and dedicated in its Program and Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Jyoti efforts to live up the Swami’s message – “Love Programme – each of them are bound by one goal– All, Serve All”. “Service to Man is Service to God”. 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 organisation work as one cohesive unit, whether as sevadals providing service at Prashanthi Nilayam, at medical camps, doing Narayan seva or the bal-vikas gurus who work with young children to inspire in them a desire to inculcate the five human values of , THE 9 POINT CODE OF CONDUCT AND 10 PRINCIPLES Every member of the Organisation is expected to undertake Sadhana (spiritual discipline) as an integral part of his/her daily life by abiding by the following Nine Point Code of Conduct which has been bestowed by Baba for one’s spiritual and personal development. Inaddition, the ten principles that forms the core of guidance for all the members of the Organisation as ordained by Baba himself are also produced here under. The nine point code of conduct and the ten principles are fundamental to the spiritual development of the members of the Sai Organisations.

9 Point Code of Conduct 10 Guiding Principes

 Daily meditation and prayer.  Treat as sacred the land in which you were born. Have patriotism to your nation - but do  Devotional singing/prayer with not criticize other nations or put others down. members of one's family once a week. Not even in your thoughts or dreams should you  Participation in Bal Vikas programme think of bringing grief to your country. hildren of the family conducted by the  Respect all religions equally. Organisation.  Recognise humanity as one family - treat  Attendance at least once a month at Bhajan everyone as a family member - love all or Nagar Sankeertan programme conducted by the Organisation.  Keep your house and surroundings clean - for this will promote hygiene and health.  Participation in community service and other programmes of the Organisation.  Practice charity - but do not encourage beggars by giving money. Provide food, clothing,  Regular study of Sai literature. shelter and help them on other ways (do not  Speak softly and lovingly with everyone encourage laziness) whom he comes into contact.  Never give a bribe or take bribe - never give int  Not to indulge in talking ill of others to corruption. especially in their absence.  Curb envy and jealously; expand your vision  Putting into practice the principle of “Ceiling and outlook, Treat all equally regardless of of Desires” and utilise any savings thereby caste or creed. generated for the service of the mankind.  Be self-reliant. You may be wealthy and have servants to do your bidding, but service to security must be done by yourself.  Have and cultivate 'Love for God and fear of sin'.  Never go against the laws of the land; follow these diligently both in word and in spirit. Be an exemplary citizen.

Salem District

DIVINE VISIT

First Visit:

Swamy's first visit to Salem was in 1968 to Sri.Padmanaba Chettiar's house. When Swamy was in Chennai, in devotee Sri.Venkatamuni and Smt.Suseelamma's house, Sri.Padmanaba Chettiar and Smt.Saralamma visited them for Swamys darshan. After a day, Swamy told Smt.Suseelamma, I'm planning to go to Salem to Smt.Saralamma's house but they r still here. Immediately Sri.Padmanaba Chettiar told Swamy that they will leave for Salem and make arrangements for Bhagwan's arrival, Swamy said that no one should know about this. So they closed all the windows, started cleaning the house and cooking for Bhagwan. At 2pm, when it was time for Swamys arrival they opened the window and saw thousands of devotees assembled and the road was filled to the brim and even many sat on trees. Swamy arrived inside went to the first floor verandah and gave darshan to all. Sri. Padmanaba Chettiar did not open the Pooja room for 2 years, he waited for Bhagwan to own it. So after having His lunch, and requested Swamy to cut the ribbon of the Pooja room and sat on the chair placed inside, and Blessed and materialised a Naagam in gold with a hood ,so realistic. After harathi and paada namaskar to all, Swamy left the house with the resounding noise of Jai Sai Ram.

SWAMI’S VISIT TO SALEM SAMITHI:

His Holiness Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Varu visited salem town samithi on 27.1.1984 (Friday) at 9.25 am to 10.25 am Thousands of people who ‘Thronged our samithi and got the blessings of our Lord’. Convenor of samithi at that time, honoured our Bhagwan with Flowers and Bouquet. Bhagwan blessed the police officer, who Escorted swami and the officer got Vibuthi prasadam also. Balvikas children, devotees and Veda chanting Sasthrigal welcomed our Bhagwan with “Poorna Kumbam”. Nathaswara vidwans played Nathaswaram. Prasanthi Flag was hoisted by our Beloved Bhagwan. Bhagwan unveiled the stone to mark his divine presence on 27-01-1984. Swami touched the forehead of Bala Vinayakar with his Divine hands. Bhagwan blessed the Archakar, who was present there. Swami entered the Bhajan Hall and lit the lamp, at the time of Bhajans song were sung by the devotees. Swami blessed all those who were present in the hall. Swami entered the ‘Sai Kiruba Medical Hall and Sai Literature Book Stall’. He was very exhaulted and told that ‘santhosam’. After seeing that and he told that ‘santhosam’. Bhagwan went upstairs and saw the swami’s room. In the room Bhagwan had a long conversation with the convenor, by sitting on the Divine chair. Bhagwan visited Lotus Mandabam in the upstairs and he stood on that and blessed the Devotees who were standing on the road. Devotees chanted ‘Sai Ram, Sai Ram, Sai Ram.’ Consequently Bhagwan told to the devotees that ‘I am here, I am staying here with you in this Mandir’. Bhagwan repeated the same in three times. When Bhagwan had a conversation with state office bearers and the convenor. Swami praised our samithi building as “ in miniature”. Prasadam was offered to swami with the senior sai Devotees. At the end of the programme, swami offered vasthradanam for poor people (Ladies and Gents) with his divine hand.

OVERVIEW Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations is functional in Salem District with members from various cross sections of society and different faiths. With around 11 Samithis and Bhajan Mandalis, The Organisation serves as a platform for its members to undertake spiritual practices through its various wings such as spiritual, education and service for their own betterment. The thrust is on self-transformation for it is only individual transformation that would ultimately lead to global transformation. The following tables give an overview of the Organisation in Salem District

Statistical Overview as on 31st March 2019

Units Numbers Number of members Samithis 11 560 Bhajan Mandalis 26 325 Total 885 No. of Sevadals  Gents 350 400  Ladies No. of Youth  Gents 60 50  Ladies Adopted Slums/Villages Numbers Number of Beneficiaries

Slums/ Villages Adopted

Under SSSVIP 1 75 Total

Adopted Schools under Sri Sathya Sai Numbers Number of Students Vidya Jyoti

Schools 1 65

SAI CENTRES

Contact Samithi Regular Bhajan Convenor Number

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, Sri.Thangavel Salem Town Every Thursday and Sunday 984345072

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, Old Suramangalam Every Thursday and Sri.Balasubramaniam Sunday 9488691265

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, Omalur Sri.Ranganathan Every Thursday 9443240069

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, Kadayampatti Sri.Bhaskaran Every Thursday 9443941867

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, Gangavalli Sri.Seran Every Thursday 9597994760

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, Belur Karadipatti, Kottavady Sri.Karthikeyan Every Thursday 9442894546

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, Mettur Sri.Krishnamoorthi Every Sunday 9600812350

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, Chinna Thirupathi Sri.Jayaraman Every Turesday 9790615433

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, Ayathiapattanam Sri. Sai Shanmugam Every Thursday 9944725626

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi, Vazappady Sri.Sivakumar Every Thursday 9488691063

ACTIVITIES The members of the Organisation are involved Samithis for the transformation of the members in various activities on regular basis which and for the benefit of the society include visits to primarily includes Spiritual Study Circles, leprosy, correctional and old age homes, medical Community Bhajan, Nagrsankirtan through the camps in villages, Narayan-seva, free coaching spiritual wing; Bal-Vikas and Parenting classes, vocational training for employability programmes through the Education Wing and enhancement of the villagers, sanitation at public various service activities through the service wing. functions, fairs, and public urinal cleaning. Importance is given to regular service activities as The following table broadly categories the only through constant involvement in good work different activities that are undertaken in all the 19 can self-transformation be achieved. Service districts of the State. activities which are regularly under taken at

Overview of activities undertaken across all the Districts

Educare Medicare Sociocare

 Study Circles for Adults  Community Bhajan

and Youth Centers  Nagar Sankirtan  Conference/Retreats Spiritual Sadhana Camps

 Bal Vikas Classes based  Parents’ Awareness on human values programs on Parenting  Bal-Vikas and Guru  Parenting Workshops training Educational

 Free Coaching and  Medical Centers  National Narayan Seva Tuition Centers  Medical Camps in Programme  Computer Training villages  Visit to Leprosy Villages,  Spoken English  Eye Camps Correctional Homes,  Adult Education  Blood Grouping Camps Orphanages, Hospital,

Service  Literacy programs  Blood DonationCamps  Dental TreatmentCamps Disabled/ Old Age  VeterinaryCamps Homes  NarayanSeva  ServiceCamps  Vocational Training Centers  Employability enhancement programmes for village youth  Sanitation at different government run hospitals, fairs, and public places including publicurinals  Disaster Management Awareness programmes in Schools/Colleges and otherinstitutions

A summary account of regular activities that are undertaken on monthly/weekly basis across the Districts is given in the following table.

An account of regular activities undertaken across the District

Total Activities Total Number Number of Participants Devotional Singing 46 627 23 520 No. of. Community Bhajan Centers No. of. Bhajans Held 4600+ 20000+

Seven Household 350 2500+

Bhajan No. Of Cluster No. of Houses

Spiritual No. of Bhajans 275 4500+ 650 7500+ Held Nagar Sankirtan Study 115 2000 Circles Conference/Retreats Sadhana Camps

Activities Bal Vikas

Centers 31 Urban 2

Educational Rural 8 41 School

Total (i+ii+iii) 17 56 39 Bal Vikas Gurus Total Number Ac Total Number of tivi Beneficiaries ty

Visit to:

Leprosy 01 75

Village

Correctional

Homes 35 1000+

Orphanages Hospital

Disabled / Old Age Homes

Camps: 85 9000+ Narayan Seva

Veterinary

Camps

Medical Awareness Camps

Eye Camps 15 1100 Blood Grouping Camps Service Camps Vocational Training Centers Free Coaching Centers Medical Centers Sanitation (Public Urinals) Dental Treatment Camps National Narayan Seva Blood Donation Camps

88888888888 OFFICE BEARERS SSSO Members must work Silently-Spread the Message through Love-Not through Publicity- - Bhagawan Baba (March'18 - 1999)

Name of the Office Bearer Designation Tenure

M.Ramachandran District President From 2012

District Gents Service S.Krishnamoorthi From 2017 Coordinator District Mahilas Service R.Dhanalakshmi From 2016 Coordinator District Gents Spiritual R.Sugavanam From 2015 Coordinator District Mahilas Spiritual K.Vijayalakshmi From 2015 Coordinator

N.P.Sathyanarayanan District Educational Coordinator From 2018

K.C.Arun District IT Coordinator From 2017

District Youth Coordinator Kesevan From 2018 (Gents) District Youth Coordinator Renugha From 2018 (Mahilas)

N.P.Sathyanarayanan District Veda Coordinator From 2017

Dr.Chidambaram District Medical Coordinator From 2012

District Disaster Management Thangadurai From 2015 Coordinator

G.Balachandar District SSVIP Coordinator From 2016

District Books, Publication, K.C.Arun From 2012 Sanathana Sarathy Coordinator

K.C.Arun District Digital Coordinator From 2012

District Vidhya Jothi N.P.Sathyanarayanan From 2017 Coordinator District Techno Media V.Muralikrishnan From 2016 Coordinator

V.Muralikrishnan District SRP Coordinator From 2015

Medical Centres

“HEALTH and happiness go together. Happiness is a vain dream if health is absent. The Shruthis (holy scriptures declare that health is very basic quality for man, since without it he cannot realise any of the four goals of life, right doing, right desiring, right earning and final release. A sound mind needs a sound body.” Sathya Sai Baba, 7-2-1993

SAI KRUPA medical dispensary has started in the year 1986 in Salem town samithi and doing various medical services done as follows.

Weekly Camps

 Every Wednesday Vibronics healing given to a minimum of 20 patients.

 Every Thursday a pediatrician treats at least 25 children .

 Every Friday a general physician treats at least 25 patients.

 Every Sunday a acupressure dr treats at least 40 patients

Monthly Camps

 Every Fourth Sunday : Sugar testing camp treated more than 600 patients and Mental health checking camp treated more than 180 patients in this year 2018-19.  Every First Saturday : Monthly Eye camp started in the year 2000 and 2018-19 data as follows

Monthly Eye Camp @ Salem Town Samithi Date OP Surgery

07.04.2018 219 116

05.05.2018 202 119

02.06.2018 177 78

07.07.2018 230 128

19.08.2018 333 65

01.09.2018 126 58

06.10.2018 154 71

03.11.2018 90 38

01.12.2018 147 74

05.01.2019 107 60

02.02.2019 138 60

03.02.2019 138 60 Total 2061 927

And Mettur Samithi conducted 4 Eye camps in this financial year and the surgery patient data's as follows..  12.05.2018 : 32  11.08.2018 : 22  10.11.2018 : 87  10.02.2019 : 32

Blood donation camps

We do not conduct separate blood donation camps but we donate blood whenever there is a need. Around 85 patients were benefited.

Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Jyoti Program

As a part of Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Jyothi Program Salem Old Suramangalam Samithi has taken initiated on following Govt. Primary School, Narasodhipatti.

 Constructed water tank for both drinking and bore water and pipelines  Constructed 4+4 toilets for both boys and girls and educated about the health and hygiene  White washed all class rooms  Weekly Balvikas, Bhajan classes

Aaradhana Mahotsavam

Swami has left the body only to enter our hearts and is more vigilant in each of us and will awaken the hunger of pure love in each of us. Swami lives on in our kind words, noble actions, pure -thoughts, good and humane hearts.

 Salem town samithi went various places and did Narayana Seva by distributing more than 1000 food packets and as special program in samithi sung Pancharatna Kirtis and Bhajan.

 Gangavalli Samithi did in a grand manner by putting leaf meals to the whole village and nearby villagers too. this year as speacial program educated on 9 point code of conduct to the devotees and public in which various district presidents participated.

Eswaramma Day May 6th every year, is celebrated as Easwaramma Day, commemorating the anniversary of the passing away of the saintly lady who was blessed to be mother to the Avatar of the Kali age. Bhagawan exhorts His devotees, especially children, to revere the mother as God. Hence, this day is a celebration of the sacred ideal of Motherhood. Easwaramma was very fond of children and was one of the pioneers of the Bal Vikas movement. Hence, this day is also celebrated as Bal Vikas Day. Narayana Seva was undertaken on this day. Around 50 kits were distributed to the new born child in Govt. hospital. Maatru pooja was performed by Balvikas children. There was also a cultural programme by Balvikas children that was colorful and delightful.

National Narayan Seva AIP started as National Narayana Seva, but here we undertake Nithya Narayana Seva project. Lunch is served to at least seven persons on a daily basis..

Sai Protein Distribution Sai Protein powder is being distributed in salem town samithi to around 90 pregnant ladies every month and more than 50 pregnant ladies are getting benefit around salem district.

Kuthuvizhakku Pooja

Kuthuvizhakku Pooja is being conducted every year at salem town samithi on the tamil month Aadi and Thai, more than 300 mahilas has participated in each pooja

Dhanvantri Homam

On every month of Hastham nakshatra day Kadayampatti samithi performs Dhanvantri Homam for good health of all

Sri Sathya Sai Viradha Kalpa Pooja

On every month pournami day salem town samithi performs Sri Sathya Sai Viradha Kalpa Pooja universal peace.

Divine Gift

Bhagwan has often stated that the best gift anyone can give Him, is a transformed heart. The best sadhana that Bhagwan wishes from each one of us is the use of sweet words and a commitment to ensure that we do not speak ill behind the back of others. This is

the greatest challenge before mankind today.