SRI SATHYA SAI SEVA ORGANISATIONS

DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT 2018 - 19

ANNUAL REPORT 2018 - 19

This report is dedicated at the Lotus Feet of our Lord and Master Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

SRI SATHYA SAI SEVA ORGANISATIONS, KALIMPONG ANNUAL REPORT 2018 - 19

Foreword My reverential pranams at the Lotus Feet of my Coordinators, Samithi Convenors, Bhajan Mandali Sadguru, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who, by In-charges and all office bearers as also all of our His immense grace, has given me an opportunity Sevadal Devotees without whom all our efforts to act as His tiny instrument, which may be would not have fructified, to whatever small incidental to His Divine Mission of 'Vedaposhana', degree it has 'Bhakta Samrakhshana', ‘Patitoddharana’ and This Annual Report is a small effort to put in ‘Dharmasamsthapana’ by spreading the message perspective the origin & history of the of 'Love All Serve All' based on the eternal Organisation in the District of Kalimpong, the principles of 'Five core Values' - Sathya, Dharma, present structure of the Organisation , some Shanti, Prema & Ahimsa and by reiterating the statistical reports which exhibit the regular fundamental concept of 'Fatherhood of God, activities in the organizational framework, some Brotherhood of Man' to humanity, disintegrated special activity reports and future plans. into various fronts on different small personal issues. I would again invoke the blessings of our almighty Bhagawan praying that He guides us in His As the District President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Mission and that we can carry forward His Organisation of of West Message exactly the way He Wishes. Bengal, this is one of my rarest opportunities to express my sincere gratitude to our Respected Sai Ram. State President and other State Coordinators who Ever in Sai Service, have extended all kinds of guidance and co- operation in augmenting the Sai Activities in this Chandra Kumar Pradhan

District, in tune with the National and State Level District President agendas of our organization. I also take this opportunity to bow my head in appreciation to the relentless sacrifices made by our District

You are called sevaks (servants) because you are engaged in seva (selfless service). What exactly is seva? Is it the way in which bhakti (devotion) manifests itself, a consequence of devotion? Or is it the cause of bhakti, one of the methods by which bhakti is expressed and developed? It is neither. It is not the sine qua non of bhakti; nor is it the result. It is the very essence of bhakti, the very breath of a bhakta (devotee), his or her very nature. It springs from the actual experience of the bhakta—an experience that convinces him or her that all beings are God’s children, that all bodies are altars where God is installed, that all places are His residences.

Sri Sathya Sai

SRI SATHYA SAI SEVA ORGANISATIONS, KALIMPONG ANNUAL REPORT 2018 - 19

CONTENTS Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations...... 2 Activities ...... 9 Wings of The Organisation ...... 3 Notable Activities ...... 11 Administration of The Organisation ...... 3 Glimpses of Few Activities ...... 13 The 9 Point Code of Conduct and 10 Principles. 4 Office Bearers ...... 16 Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Kalimpong . 5 Current Office Bearers of The District ...... 16 Brief History ...... 5 Past District Presidents ...... 16

Overview ...... 8 Sri Sathya Sai Seva Kendra ...... 8

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Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations

The Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, 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 Organisation 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 realising one's inherent divinity.

Without any distinction of religion, nationality, race, socio- economic status, either for those who work in the Organisation or

for those who are served by it, the Organisation 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 Sai Seva Organisations, for there 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 “Love all, Serve All” and pursue their own sadhana 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 Hindu 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 publicising 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) should not be exhibitionistic; it must seek no reward, not even gratitude or thanks from the recipients. Seva is sadhana (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 separate maanavathwa (Humanity) from Maadhavathwa (Divinity).. This Organisation must elevate the human into the Divine.” Sri Sathya Sai

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WINGS OF THE ORGANISATION

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations functions Spirituality and Service are complementary to under three wings viz. (i) Spiritual, (ii) Education, and each other. Spirituality is the motivational force (iii) Service. Each activity in a wing is directed to behind service and service is the fulfillment of facilitate and help the members in their own spirituality. Therefore, spiritual concepts learnt spiritual advancement. Although, the nature of through education must be put into practice in form activities undertaken under different wings appear of service to humanity. Thus, in order to successfully to be distinct and dissimilar, but there is an inherent realise the objective of joining the Sai Organisation, interrelationship amongst all the three wings. The one must participate in activities of all the three three wings stand for Worship, Wisdom and Work. wings.

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 of •Slums Service

•Study Circle 5-14 years through values- •Medical Camps and Health based educational training •Sadhana Camps Care •Bal-Vikas •Study of Sai Literature •Sanitation activities •Educare •Meditation, and •Visit to orphanges, old age •Parenting Programmes •Others homes etc. •Disaster relief •Poor feeding

•Free Coaching Classes, and •Others

ADMINISTRATION OF THE ORGANISATION

Headed by an All President who is at Prashanthi Nilayam, at medical camps, doing supported by the National Vice Presidents and State Narayan seva or the Bal-Vikas gurus who work with Presidents, the Organisation functions like a well- young children to imbibe in them a desire to follow oiled machine, focused on its purpose, clear in its the five human values of Truth, Righteousness, Love, vision and dedicated in its efforts to live up to Peace and Non-violence, or the teachers who Swami's message “Love All, Serve All”. having undergone the training in EHV help in guiding the young minds towards the higher goals The Samithis and the Bhajan Mandalis constitute of life or the Sai Youth who work tirelessly in the Sri a genuine spiritual movement where the members Sathya Sai Village Integrated Programme bound by are united by a common bond Love for God and one goal of practicing the ancient dictum of “Service Service to fellow human beings. to Man is Service to God”. The members of the organisation work as one cohesive unit whether as sevadals providing service

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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 observing by the following Nine Point Code of Conduct which has been given by Sri Sathya Sai Baba for one's spiritual and personal development. In addition, the ten principles that form the core of guidance for all the members of the Organisation as ordained by Baba himself are also produced hereunder. The nine-point code of conduct and the ten principles are fundamental to the spiritual development of the members of Sai Organisations.

9 Point Code of Conduct 10 Guiding Principles

❖ Daily meditation and prayer. ❖ Treat as sacred the land in which you were ❖ Devotional singing/prayer with members of born. Have patriotism to your nation - but do one’s family once a week. not criticise other nations or put others down. Not even in your thoughts or dreams should ❖ Participation in Bal Vikas programme by you think of bringing grief to your country. children of the family conducted by the Organisation. ❖ Respect all religions equally. ❖ Attendance at least once a month at Bhajan ❖ Recognise humanity as one family - treat or Nagar Sankeertan programme conducted everyone as a family member - love all by the Organisation. ❖ Keep your house and surroundings clean - for ❖ Participation in community service and other this will promote hygiene and health. programmes of the Organisation. ❖ Practice charity - but do not encourage ❖ Regular study of Sai literature. beggars by giving money. Provide food, clothing, shelter and help them on other ways ❖ Speak softly and lovingly with everyone with (do not encourage laziness) whom he comes into contact. ❖ Never give a bribe or take bribe - never give ❖ Not to indulge in talking ill of others into 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 on 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 society 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.

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Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Kalimpong

BRIEF HISTORY

On 21st July 1969 a group of devotees from at Rose Bank, and resolved to form the Darjeeling were led by Sri Krishna Singh Moktan, a Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation with Sri Zimba as known literary figure. He was conferred Sahitya President and Sri S.K. Ghising as Secretary. Academy Award in in 2006 and Since the organization in West Bengal was keen was the recipient of high social recognition. He to form Samithis in the hills, this was declared served as the Superintendent of Central Jail officially the FIRST Samithi in . of Burdwan District in West Bengal and had the opportunity of having Darshan of Bhagwan Sri Prior to this development Sri Moktan, already Sathya Sai Baba at Puttaparthi. Baba blessed the blessed by Bhagawan, published SATYAM group giving them interview too. SHIVAM SUNDARAM Part-I, the biography of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, in Nepali in 1971. This On their return from Puttaparthi, they started book sold like hot cake and reached the Bhajans at their respective houses and exactly after neighbouring district of , inhabited by two months, formed Satyam Shivam Sundaram large number of Nepali speaking people and Bhajan Group headed by Sri Arun Chandra Moktan touched neighbouring places like , at Jalapahar Cantonment, Ghoom, the highest and Nepal. railway station in the world at that time. After the release of this book and going through Thereafter Sai Bhajan spread to Darjeeling town it, the number of Sai Devotees went up in leaps and and many devotees who had not seen Baba yet, bounds and within a year following four Samithis started Bhajans sometimes in a group, otherwise in came up in all Sub- Divisional headquarters in 1972. their houses. Kalimpong Samithi with Sri, B. S. Roka as In the meantime at the behest of Mr/Mrs P. President and Sri, K.B. Chhetri as Secretary Tshering a Bhajan session was arranged at Kakjhora, Darjeeling Town, at the residence of Sri K. Tshering Samithi with Sri Shiva Kumar Rai as and KusumLata Tshering, in which Sri K.S.Moktan President and Sri Sukh Chandra Gurung as attended along with many other enthusiastic Secretary. people, where he urged the assembly to start Sri Samithi Sri Kesha Bahadur Lama as Sathya Seva Samitis in their respected areas and President. align to move forward in the Avataric Mission. Takdah Cantonment Sri N. G. Yalmo as On 24th May 1971, devotees of Darjeeling Town President and Sri, K. N. Niraula as Secretary. assembled at the residence of Sri. Aita Singh Zimba

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To coordinate the activities of these freshly People living in all the four corners, not aware of the started Samithis and for further expansion, the Advent of the Avatar came to know about necessity of a District Level Organisation was felt Bhagawan. Today we find Bhajan groups and and in the same year Sri Sathya Sai Seva Bhajans being sung with Swami’s photo at their altar Organisation, Darjeeling District was formed on the in almost every village. instruction of the State Organisation, with Sri A. S. Come 1974, Sri N. Kasturi arrived in the Zimba as District President and Sri S. K, Ghising as Darjeeling Hills as an emissary of Bhagawan Baba. Secretary. He met devotees, prominent persons and Swami’s In 1972, youths from Darjeeling District mission and messages spread all over Darjeeling. attended the 1st Summer Course in Indian culture His stay for a couple of days were laid with and spirituality in Divine presence at Whitefield, activities- Bhajans, Satsangs etc. and people were Bangalore. benefitted leading to the growth of the organization. In the same year 56 sevadals, both male and female were given the opportunity to serve at In 2003, the Organisation in DARJEELING Prashanthi Nilayam, where construction work was DISTRICT was bifurcated into DARJEELING (NORTH) going on during Nava Ratri Festival. AND DARJEELING (SOUTH) for administrative convenience given that the number of Samithis had In 1972 Sri, K.S.Moktan brought out one grown to 65. monthly magazine “SATHYA SARATHI” even while serving in the plains. This magazine was popular Existing Kurseong Sub-Division, Siliguri Sub- because of its content consisting of Divine Division and Gurubathan Block of Kalimpong Sub- messages, experience of devotees visiting Division came under Darjeeling (South) District with Puttaparthi and Whitefield, as very few people had 20 Samithis. the opportunity to visit there. It also contained Whole Darjeeling Sub-Division, and Kalimpong travel guide, information on Bhagawan’s presence Block-I and Block-II of Kalimpong Sub-Division at Whitefield or Puttaparthi etc. remained as Darjeeling (North). In 1973, more than 50 Bhajan Mandalis came up Again in 2018, Kalimpong District was formed and one Burnsbeg Samithi with Sri, Manmohan Rai (erstwhile part of Darjeeling (North) with 15 as President was formed. Samithis when Kalimpong became a separate The same year one gentlemen from Calcutta, Sri administrative District of West Bengal with Sri S.P. Ghosh, retired DIG, prisons, Government of Chandra Kumar Pradhan appointed as the District West Bengal, bought one projector machine and a President documentary film show on Bhagawan and riding in

his own jeep, ventured into remote areas of the District, continuing his efforts for months together.

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The following table lists year wise formation of Samithis in the District with founder Convenors:

Year Samithi Convenor Year Samithi Convenor 1982 Pedong1 Sri B.R.Pradhan (President) 1995 Ging Sri Sanjay Gurung Sri, K.K Lama- (Secretary) Rimbick Sri Krishna Pradhan

Rongo Sri Hari Sharma (President) Relling Sri BishnuKanta Sharma Sri. Bijay Gurung Takdah Sri Parash Mani Pradhan (Secretary) Dabaipani 1977 Gleenburn Sri. Rudra Miktan Balasun2 Sri D.P.Gurung 1987 Gurubathan2 Sri Deeplal Rai Gairibas2 Sri Phurba 1989 Longview2 Sri Sanu Golay Kadamtala2 Sri Balaram Rasaily 1991 Mungpo Sri Mohan Thakuri 1996 Tukvar Sri Lokesh Rai Teestavalley Sri Suryaman Gurung Nayabusty Sri C.B.Rana Bijanbari Sri RanDatta Rai Pubong Sri Lahadup Moktan Pokhriabong Sri P.N.Pradhan Middle Lingding Sri Durga Prasad Bhujel 1992 Badamtam Sri Bikash Subba Samalbong Sri Kamal Kumar Sharma Mundakothi Sri Tularam Pradhan 1997 Sonada Sri Pratap Pradhan Tamsang Sri Anand Subba Phoobsering Sri Anuj Mizar Namring Sri Mani Ram Mukhia Nagari Sri Pancharam Khati Mirik2 Sri Y.N.Dhakal Sukhiapokhari Sri S.M. Bangdel Tindharia2 Sri H.B.Mukhia Chongtong Sri Kamal Thapa Kumai2 Sri Shanti Kumar Chhetri Ranguli Bich Sri Madin Rai 1993 Rellie Valley1 Sri Shanti Kumar Sharma Gaon Monsong1 Sri Kubir Gurung Tinchulay Sri Chandara Pal Rai 1 Jaldhaka2 Sri J.B. Rasaily 7th Mile SRI H. Sundas 1 1994 Ambiok2 Sri DeoPrakash Rai Gitabling Sri Yoma Kumar Rai 1 Dilaram2 Sri Kushal Singh Rai 1998 Lingsekha Sri Meghraj Timsina Sangsay1 Sri GivindRai Margerate’s Sri Arun Karki 2 Paiyong1 Sri T.B.Gurung Hope Lava1 Sri S.B.Subba 1999 Rose Bank Sri Madansen Rana 2 1995 Bara Manjwa1 Sri DeoPrakashMoktan Mamring Sri Madhusudan Thapa 2 Teesta Rajmarg1 Sri Somnath Chhetri Kolabari Sri K.B. Rai 2 Kagey1 Sri Subhiman Rai Lathpanchor Sri Budd Subba 2 Sakyong1 Sri GobardhanMukhia 2000 Sittong Sri Nilraj Rai Nalichour Sri J.B.Rai Bhirgaon Sri Narendra Rai Pacheng Majuwa Ghoom Sri Kiran Syangden 2001 Gorasi Sri Prem Subba Jorbonglow 2005 Harsing Sri Bardan Rai 2018 Peshok

1 Presently in Kalimpong District

2 Presently in Darjeeling (South) District

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OVERVIEW

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations is Statistical Overview functional in KALIMPONG with members from various cross sections of society and different faiths. With 15 Samithis and 12 Bhajan Mandalis, the Organisation serves as a platform for its 15 12 4 members to undertake spiritual Samithis Bhajan Adopted practices through its various wings such Mandalis Villages/Slums as spiritual, education and service for their own betterment.

The thrust is on self-transformation for it is only individual transformation 1490 108 127 that would ultimately lead to global transformation. Members Gents Youth Ladies Youth

SRI SATHYA SAI SEVA KENDRA

Seva Kendra District/Samithi Address Contact Person

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Kalimpong (District Near Bagdhara, Pritam Road, Sunita Gurung Kendra Head Quarter) Kalimpong Unit Sai Seva Pedong Samithi Pedong Bazaar Lalita Gurung Kendra Upper Benta Sai Seva Kagay Samithi Upper Benta, Kagay Devendra Kendra Sharma Teesta Bazar Sai Seva Teesta Raj Marg Swadesh Singh Kendra Samithi Upper Tshuba Sai Seva Lingsey Samithi Upper Tshuba, Lingsekha M.R.Timsina Kendra Lava Unit Sai Seva Kendra Lava Samithi Manika Tamang School Dara Unit Sai Seva Bara Mangmaya School Dara, Bara Mangmaya, Bandana Sundas Kendra Samithi Kalimpong Tanek Unit Sai Seva 7th Mile Samithi Tanek, Kalimpong Madhu Thapa Kendra Sai Sadan Sai Seva Kendra Sakyong Samithi Upper menchu, Sakyong Dachen Lepcha

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Seva Kendra District/Samithi Address Contact Person

Kripa Sai Seva Kendra Paiyoung Samithi Paschim Paiyoung, 16th Mile, Subhas Gurung Kalimpong Rousay Unit Sai Seva Relli Valley Samithi Ambakay, Dungra Busty, Santa Pradhan Kendra Kalimpong Upper Burmail Unit Sai Munsong Samithi G.C.P Burmik, Munsong Sakun Rai Seva Kendra Tuni Botay Unit Sai Seva Kalimpong Samithi 10th & ½ Mile, Near Dr Malik Man Bahadur Rai Kendra Nursing Home, Kalimpong Kharka Unit Sai Seva Sangsay Samithi Kharga, Sangsay, Kalimpong Man Bahadur Rai Kendra Pabong Unit Sai Seva Samalbong Samithi Pabong Lolay Gaon, Khasmahal Dilip Rai Kendra

ACTIVITIES

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

Of the nine steps in sadhana (spiritual discipline), as laid down in the Bhakti Sutras (aphorisms on devotion by Sage Narada), leading to the realisation of the Self, dasyam or the attitude of service to God is quite near the final goal. It is the eighth step. The study of texts, the renouncing of wealth in charity, the repetition of the name or the chanting of psalms and hymns may be good exercises to sanctify the mind and to avoid falling into evil ways and ruinous pastimes but they seldom purify the consciousness of the human being. Instead they serve mostly to bloat the ego and instil pride and promote a competitive craving for superiority. You may be sitting in the bhajan (devotional singing) hall and loudly singing in chorus, but your mind may get involved in anxiety about the pair of chappals (sandals) you have left outside the hall. Always at the back of the mind there is fear of the loss of the chappals. This vitiates the bhajan and makes it a barren show.

Sri Sathya Sai

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The following table broadly categorises the different activities that are undertaken by the Samithis across the District.

SPECTRUM OF ACTIVITIES

Educare Medicare Sociocare

• Study Circles for Adults and • Community Bhajans Youth • Nagar Sankirtan

• Conference/Retreats Sadhana Camps Spiritual

• Bal Vikas Classes based on • Parents’ Awareness programs on

human values Parenting

• Bal-Vikas and Guru training • Parenting Workshops Educational

• Free Coaching and Tuition • Medical Centers • National Narayan Seva Programme Centers • Medical Camps in villages • Visit to Leprosy Villages, Correctional • Computer Training • Eye Camps Homes, Orphanages, Hospital, Disabled/ Old Age Homes • Spoken English • Blood Grouping Camps • Narayan Seva • Adult Education • Blood Donation Camps • Service Camps • Literacy programs • Dental Treatment Camps • Vocational Training Centers • Veterinary Camps • Employability enhancement

Service programmes for village youth • Sanitation at different government run hospitals, fairs, and public places including public urinals • Disaster Management Awareness programmes in Schools/Colleges and other institutions

Why has God given hands to you? They are not given to scribble something on paper. They should be fully engaged in the service of God. Work is worship. Duty is God. Do your duty.

Sri Sathya Sai

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A summary account of regular activities that have been undertaken during the period covered by this report is depicted in the following table.

Total Number of Activities Total Number Participants Devotional Singing

No. of. Community Bhajan Centers 20 2880

Household Bhajan No. of Houses 210

No. of Bhajans Held 10080 50400 Spiritual Nagar Sankirtan 600 7200 Study Circles 300 3600 Conference/Retreats/Sadhana Camps 8 1240 Total Number of Activities Total Number

Students Bal Vikas Centers (i) Urban 54 1094 (ii) Rural 128 1527

Educational (iii) School 3 157 Total (i+ii+iii) 185 2778 Bal Vikas Gurus 346 2778 Total Number of Activity Total Number Beneficiaries Visit to: Hospital 14 85 Leprosy Village 3 16 Correctional Home 2 68

Orphanages 9 96

Disabled/Old Age Home 8 16 Camps:

Service Narayan Seva 328 9882 Blood Grouping Camps 1 34 Medical Awareness Camps 4 420 Free Coaching Centres 1 45 Medical Centres 1 30 Sanitation & Cleaning 54 In thousands Blood Donation Camps 2 60

NOTABLE ACTIVITIES Drinking Water Projects

For ensuring availability of drinking water in water scarce areas, Drinking Water projects were completed benefitting several houses in the locality of Pedong, Phoobsering and Lungsel in the year 1998, 2000 and 2003 respectively.

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Cleaning along National Highway No.55

Since the hilly terrain is prone to landslides, this programme is a mammoth initiative undertaken annually. On 1st May more than 1000 sevadals helped in the proper flow of rainwater through the drains. It involves the thorough cleaning of 65 kms of drainage area and is performed with great love and dedication to ensure the safety and well-being of the people of the district. Road Construction

Nearly 4.5 km motorable road was constructed at Kharka Gaon, Sangsay, Kalimpong between 1997-99 and was handed over to local people resulting in the whole area being connected by road to the main Town Kalimpong.

Manas Bhajare Guru Charanam, Dustara Bhavsagar Taranam

Start practising love. That is the correct spiritual practise. Share your love with more and more people. You will experience oneness. Once you start sharing your love with everybody, then the whole world will become one family. Sri Sathya Sai

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Glimpses of few activities Medical Center

On Swami’s 93rd Birthday week long programme, Kalimpong Town Samithi organised a FREE MEDICAL CAMP at Sai Samithi Kalimpong. Doctors with Specialities (General Medicine, Orthopaedics & Gynaecology) from NEOTIA GETWEL HOSPITAL, Siliguri and 2 Dentists from Kalimpong were present for the camp. Along with them technicians were also present to do Pathological tests and ECG. Pathological tests such as Sugar test Fibro scan (liver test) Electrocardiogram (ECG). were done free of cost. Total number of Doctors and Technicians who participated in this noble event were 9 and 14 respectively. The total No. of Beneficiaries were 365. Total number of Sevadals who worked selflessly to make this occasion successful were 25 Gents and 25 Mahilas.

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National highway drainage cleaning

Like every year, this year also on 1st of May 2018, Kalimpong district conducted the national highway drainage cleaning program. It was started from Novelty Hall, 9th mile till Chitrey Fatak, covering an average of 15 km. All 15 samithis were allotted 1 km coverage where Gents Mahilas, Balvikas students, Gurus and Alumni's were present to serve . Drainage cleaning in progress at National Highway This yearly program is one which the whole district waits for and so the District Authorities and also the local people. It’s a herculean task to clean the whole drainage for a stretch of 15kms, but our Sevadals with smiling faces and commitment to our Loving Master this with ease. It’s a program which even the Government officials think twice before taking this up and that too in 1 day. This program is also an Outreach programme as many people not part of the Sai family also joins in the noble cause of making our Mother India cleaner

Total Sevadals involved were 425. The program started from 9 AM in the morning and went on till 3 PM in the afternoon. We should undertake today what is known as nishkama karma (selfless action) action performed without any desire for the fruit thereof. Service of the downtrodden, the disabled and the diseased also constitutes an obligation in one’s daily life and cannot be described as nishkama karma or motiveless work. This is because the human being’s love for the universe is not without selfishness. If a person loves any object, he or she does so for his or her own sake and pleasure. Similarly, if a person conceals an object in a secure place, it is not on account of his or her love for the object but because of the love for himself or herself. Thus, in the world, all kinds of love are born of love for oneself and not out of love for others. It is the primary duty of the members of the sevādal (volunteer service corps) to give up the thought of the utility of an act of service to one’s own self and consider service for the benefit of others alone as being truly selfless in character.

Sri Sathya Sai

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Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Jyoti Program

With Bhagawan's abundant grace Sri Satya Sai Vidya Jyoti (SSSVJ) programme was started on the auspicious occasion of Aaradhana Diwas on 24th April 2018 in our Kalimpong District. Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Jyothi program aims to supplement and enhance the levels of motivation and learning experience of students of the schools adopted under the program, by leveraging and improving the eco system in which the schools operate. In addition to focusing on the holistic development of the children, the volunteers under the program across India work with the goal Sevadals mentoring children in SSSVJ school of instilling Human Values into the children and inspiring them to become ideal citizens of India through various seva activities. Members of the Kalimpong District were highly motivated and inspired by the principles of this program, and so in 2 years after its launch 5 schools have been adopted in our District.

The schools adopted are Mona Primary Basic School, Ram Dahal Primary School, Lower Menchu Primary School, Lower Dalapchand Primary School and Pudung Junior Basic School. The total Medical Checkup of children in SSSVJ school number of students who are from these schools and participate under this program is 112. Total number of Sevadals who work tirelessly in trying to make this happen over all schools is 45.

Some of the notable regular activities done by SSSVJ team in our schools : medical camps raincoat and umbrella distribution, value-based songs, rhymes, handwriting, drawing practices, cleaning and sanitation moral value classes, Teacher's Day and Children's Day Celebrations, providing infrastructure support to the schools by undertaking repairs of blackboard, table, chairs etc.

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Office Bearers

CURRENT OFFICE BEARERS OF THE DISTRICT

Name Designation Contact Details Sri Chandrakumar Pradhan District President Mobile : 9635228928 Email : [email protected] Sri. Karma Singh Rai Service Coordinator Mobile : 9473439535 (Gents) Smt. Kamala Pradhan Service Coordinator Mobile : 7908185289 (Ladies) Sri. Nabin Rai Spiritual Coordinator Mobile : 9832744365 (Gents) Smt. Rupa Lama Spiritual Coordinator Mobile : 9851238972 (Ladies) Sri. Raj Bahadur Rai Education Coordinator Mobile : 9832334493 (Gents) Smt. Bimla Rai Education Coordinator Mobile : 7864992073 (Ladies) Sri. Sawanth Pradhan Youth Coordinator (Gents) Mobile : 9635907716

Smt. Anjana Pradhan Youth Coordinator (Ladies) Mobile : 9002505826

Sri. Ashim Khwas Joint Youth Coordinator Mobile : 7001233751 (Gents)

PAST DISTRICT PRESIDENTS

Name Period Remarks Late Aita Singh Zimba 1972-1978 Late Ari Bahadur Gurung 1979-1980 Late Bharat Kumar Gahatraj 1981-1987 Late Pradyunman Pradhan 1988-1995 Undivided Darjeeling Sri Vivek Keshar Pandey 1996 Late Jiwan Kumar Limbu 1997-2000 Sri Shambhu Subba 2001-2008 Sri Hemraj Tamang 2008-2017 Sri Chandrakumar Pradhan 2017 - Present

SRI SATHYA SAI SEVA ORGANISATIONS, KALIMPONG 16 ANNUAL REPORT 2018 - 19

Social service is a tapas, a spiritual exercise. It promotes the practical application of your knowledge, skills and virtues. Wealth, scholarship, power and prestige are all despicable if they are not directed towards moral ends. To plead that one has no time for service activities because of official duties or other preoccupations is an utterly lame excuse. Even in your official work you can render service. There is no need to go to bazaars for street cleaning. That is not the only means of serving the public. Whatever your official duties, whatever your profession or occupation, if you discharge your duties properly and efficiently, that is also social service. The right attitude for officials in authority towards service should be to ask themselves whether the services they render are commensurate with the salaries they receive. Seldom do we see persons in employment, whether they are workers or officers, doing the amount of work that would justify the salaries they get. They all want more remuneration but are not prepared to work more. They should realise that this kind of an attitude is a betrayal of the nation. Whose money are they receiving as wages? It is the public’s money. To fail in the discharge of one’s duties to the public is a grievous disservice. If a teacher imparts education on the right lines, he or she is rendering real national service. Likewise, if a merchant conducts his or her business on the basis of earning not more than what is needed to meet reasonable needs, he or she will be rendering public service. When this attitude prevails, there is no need to claim that one is engaged in service. One should be content to abide by the dictates of one’s own conscience. What will please Swami is the proper performance of one’s duties. This constitutes seva (selfless service).

The service that you render must reward you, not only with your satisfaction, but with the satisfaction and relief of those whom you serve. When those whom you serve are not relieved or made happy thereby, of what avail is your elation or exultation at the help you have been allowed to offer? You should have the joy of the recipient as your objective. Do not sit back and talk of your having done what is expected of you but try to discover whether your act of service has really been worthwhile, whether it has been intelligently rendered with full appreciation of the peculiar circumstances of the individual who needed it.

Devote every day at least five minutes for reciting the Lord’s name and a few minutes for rendering some kind of service to the needy and the forlorn. Include in your daily prayers a prayer for the welfare of all people in the world. Do not be engrossed in your own wellbeing and salvation.

Sri Sathya Sai

SRI SATHYA SAI SEVA ORGANISATIONS, KALIMPONG 17 ANNUAL REPORT 2018 - 19

O Lord, take my love, and let it flow in fullness of devotion to Thee; O Lord, take my hands, and let them work incessantly for Thee; O Lord, take my soul, and let it be merged in One with Thee; O Lord, take my mind and thoughts, and let them be in tune with Thee; O Lord, take my everything, and let me be an instrument to work for Thee.

SRI SATHYA SAI SEVA ORGANISATIONS, KALIMPONG 18

SRI SATHYA SAI SEVA ORGANISATIONS, WEST BENGAL DISTRICt : KALIMPONG Sri Sathya Sai Seva Kendra, Primtham Road, Kalimpong 734301, Email: [email protected] State Office: 163, A J Bose Road, 700 014, Email: [email protected], Website : ssssowb.org