Report of the 20th All India Sai Devotees' Convention at Nellore
The 20th All India Sai Devotees' Convention held under the joint auspices of Shri Sai Bhaktha Mandali, Nellore and All India Sai Samaj (Regd), Madras on 7th, 8th and 9th January, 1983 was unique in many respects.
As a very happy augury and active participation and Blessings, Shri Sai Baba's Padukas arrived from Shirdi on 6th evening itself a significant Thursday - at Nellore Sai Mandir and were received with Poorna Kumbam and traditional honours. Shri R. L. Reddi, President, Shri Chinta Srirama Murthy, Vice-president Shri P. Malekondiah, Secretary and other senior Sai devotees received most reverentially Baba's Padukas. Shri P. Malekondiah carried Shri Baba's Padukas himself and placed them in the Sanctum Sanctorum of Sai Mandir. Shri T. Kesava Rao, President, A. I. S. S. was also present on the occasion and welcomed Dr. Parchure, Shri S. Chendwankar, Sai Leela Editors and Shri M. S. Srinivasan who took all care and efforts to bring the Padukas from Shirdi.
Immediately after the - Arati thousands of devotees had the Darshan of Padukas and their donations were collected in a special Hundi kept for the purpose.
That morning and throughout the day delegates began arriving at Sai Mandir and Shri Sai Bhaktha Mandali office bearers and volunteers made all good arrangements for receiving the delegates and looking after their stay etc. at the Andhra Sabha Kalyana Mandapam very near the Mandir, Special invitees were accommodated by senior ardent devotees in their homes. That evening by about 5-30 P. M. Shri Daivagna Raghava Narayana Sastry Garu from Chendole a saintly person, was received with Poorna Kumbam and taken to Sai Mandir and later to the residence of Shri Chinta Srirama Murthy Garu.
On 7th at 3-30 P. M. the Dyana Mandir at Sai Mandir, Nellore was declared open by Revered Daivagna Raghava Narayana Sastry Garu. Portrait of Sai Baba was unveiled by Dr. Parchure. M A, Ph.d, Executive Editor, Sai Leela Magazine while that of H. H. Narasimhaswamiji presented by A. I. S. S. was unveiled by Shri K. V. Ramanamurthy, president Shri Sai Seva Natya Mandali, Kakinada, and that of Shri Saipadananda Radhakrishnaswamiji presented by Shri Sai Spiritual Centre, .Bangalore by Shri C. V. Bhaskara Rao, President, Shri Sai Spiritual Centre, Bangalore.
Following this, Baba's Photo nicely decorated and kept in a, Padakki was taken in a procession with Bhajans by all the assembled delegates and Sai devotees of Nellore in a most enthusiastic manner from the Mandir to the Convention Venue. Baba's procession nearly took about two hours and gave a good filip to the Convention proceedings. Just then the President of the Convention, Retired Justice N. Krishnaswamy Reddy of Madras High Court, Dr. Dabholkar, son of famous Hemad Pant Anna Saheb Dabholkar, who wrote the immortal Sai Satcharita and Shri Viswanathan Chetty, Retd Registrar of Co-op. Societies and who laid the foundation stone of Nellore Sai Mandir were duly welcomed.
Shri R. L. Reddy, President, Shri Sai Bhaktha Mandali extended a hearty welcome to the delegates and the distinguished guests and referred to the fact of Nellore Sai Bhaktha Mandali hosting for a second time the All India Sai Devotees' Convention along with AISS and spoke of the great stride made by Sai Movement and stressed that Sai Bhakthi is bringing about universal brotherhood and paid tributes to the pioneering efforts made by H. H. Narasimhaswamiji in this regard. Shri R. L. Reddy then requested Justice Krishnaswami Reddy to preside over the function and paid tributes to the devoted services rendered by him to the cause of universal religion.
Earlier with prayers by two sisters Chi. Kumari Subbulakshmi and Chi. Kumari Vijayalakshmi the Convention started.
Conducted by Shri Chinta Srirama Murthy and Shri Malekondiah, Shri Daivagna Raghava Narayana Sastry Garu lit the traditional lamp thus signifying the inauguration of the Convention. Speaking on the occasion Shri Daivagna Raghava Narayana Sastri Garu referred to the aspects of Para Brahmam, the Paramatraa and the Jeevatma and the cycles of births and deaths when the soul seeks the merger with the originator and conveyed the purpose of the lives of Saints like Sai Baba who have come down on earth to uplift the common people into the real purpose of life. He spoke of the Upanishads and Vedas comparing the truths expounded with Science trends and stressed the aspects of good life and conveyed his blessings to one and all offering his prayers to Almighty for the success and prosperity of all devotees.
Following this inaugural speech Dr. Dabbolkar was introduced to the audience by Shri Chinta Srirama Murthy and the attractive Souvenir brought out by the Nellore Sai Bhaktha Mandali marking the Convention was then released by Dr. Dabholkar. Speaking on the occasion Shri Dabholkar referred to the magnetic personality of Shri Sai Baba (whom he had the good fortune of taking personal blessings) and prayed for Baba's Blessings to one and all. Shri G. Viswanathan Chetty released the Karavalamba Stotra written by Shri Parthasarathy Garu of Cheruvu. (Shri Parthasarathy is the son of revered Bapatla Hanumantha Rao Garu. a great Sai Sevak).
Shri N. Krishnaswami Reddy then gave the Presidential address and spoke at length on the theme of the Convention namely, Universal Religion - the message of Shri Sai Baba. He spoke on the exemplary life of Sai Baba and stressed his teaching based on Upanishads and Vedas -being the sum and substance of Universal Religion and also referred to the life of H. H. Narasimhaswamiji in bringing to the world the rich wisdom of Shri Sai Baba. He traced the lives of Saints and Sages of India who stressed this universal aspect and in particular referred to the clarion call given by Swami Vivekananda expounding the message of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He concluded that universal religion is a true panacea to all the ills of the world and prayed to the Lord Almighty and Shri Baba to bless the simple, honest seeker with that enlightenment.
Shri Malekondiah, Secretary gave the history and activities of Nellore Sai Bhaktha Mandali describing the various activities carried on - and Shri Rajaram read the messages from various dignitaries and leading Sai devotees wishing the Convention all success.
Shri Chinta Srirama Murthy proposed a vote of thanks to the President of the function and to Shri T. Raghava Narayana Sastry and others.
Sai Baba Drama in Telugu was staged by Kakinada Sai Seva, Natya Mandali at the Town Hall that night itself. The hall was packed to capacity & the public& Sai Devotees very much appreciated — the life of Sai Baba enacted by Shri Vadrevu Rama Rao and other Sai Devotees of Kakinada.
The 2nd Day of the Convention-Delegate Session (8-2-83)
The delegates, open session was then held at 9 A. M. on 8-2-83 at the spacious Co-operative Bank Buildings fully covered by Shamiana and carpets laid for the comfortable seating of the delegates and public. Shri Kanuparti Venkata Subrahmanyam Garu, donor of a Building for Sai Mandir, presided.
The address of Shri T. Kesava Rao, President, AISS, was read by Shri S. Seshadri, Vice-President, AISS. He referred at length to the purpose of such Conventions which bring all Sai devotees together from different parts and that the resultant Sath Sangh was of immense value adding to the development of Sai Bhakthi and Sai Prachar. He spoke of the need of such Sath Sangh and explained how H. H. Narsimhaswamiji who started Conventions and Shri Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji stove hard to build Sai brotherhood based on love and service. He made an appeal to all Sai Institutions to support the AISS in this noble task of Sai propagation and listed out the various concrete steps taken by AISS in making available Books on Shri Sai Baba written by H. H. Narasimha Swamiji. He also laid stress on training Sai Pracharaks and also desired to honour writers and Sai Sevaks so as to create an impetus and incentive for bringing out more works on Shri Sai Baba in various languages. Shri S. Seshadri, Vice-President AISS explained the significance of the role of AISS and H. H. Narasimhaswami and stressed the need for expanding various activities such as Sai Vidyalaya, Sai Dispensary and publications on Shri .Sai. He laid great stress on social services in the name of Sai and assured all possible help and support to other Sai Centres for such activities.
(To be continued)
The 20th All India Sai Devotees' Convention held under the joint auspices of Shri Sai Bhaktha Mandali, Nellore and All India Sai Samaj (Regd), Madras on 7th, 8th and 9th January, 1983 was unique in many respects.
As a very happy augury and active participation and Blessings, Shri Sai Baba's Padukas arrived from Shirdi on 6th evening itself a significant Thursday - at Nellore Sai Mandir and were received with Poorna Kumbam and traditional honours. Shri R. L. Reddi, President, Shri Chinta Srirama Murthy, Vice-president Shri P. Malekondiah, Secretary and other senior Sai devotees received most reverentially Baba's Padukas. Shri P. Malekondiah carried Shri Baba's Padukas himself and placed them in the Sanctum Sanctorum of Sai Mandir. Shri T. Kesava Rao, President, A. I. S. S. was also present on the occasion and welcomed Dr. Parchure, Shri S. Chendwankar, Sai Leela Editors and Shri M. S. Srinivasan who took all care and efforts to bring the Padukas from Shirdi.
Immediately after the - Arati thousands of devotees had the Darshan of Padukas and their donations were collected in a special Hundi kept for the purpose.
That morning and throughout the day delegates began arriving at Sai Mandir and Shri Sai Bhaktha Mandali office bearers and volunteers made all good arrangements for receiving the delegates and looking after their stay etc. at the Andhra Sabha Kalyana Mandapam very near the Mandir, Special invitees were accommodated by senior ardent devotees in their homes. That evening by about 5-30 P. M. Shri Daivagna Raghava Narayana Sastry Garu from Chendole a saintly person, was received with Poorna Kumbam and taken to Sai Mandir and later to the residence of Shri Chinta Srirama Murthy Garu.
On 7th at 3-30 P. M. the Dyana Mandir at Sai Mandir, Nellore was declared open by Revered Daivagna Raghava Narayana Sastry Garu. Portrait of Sai Baba was unveiled by Dr. Parchure. M A, Ph.d, Executive Editor, Sai Leela Magazine while that of H. H. Narasimhaswamiji presented by A. I. S. S. was unveiled by Shri K. V. Ramanamurthy, president Shri Sai Seva Natya Mandali, Kakinada, and that of Shri Saipadananda Radhakrishnaswamiji presented by Shri Sai Spiritual Centre, .Bangalore by Shri C. V. Bhaskara Rao, President, Shri Sai Spiritual Centre, Bangalore.
Following this, Baba's Photo nicely decorated and kept in a, Padakki was taken in a procession with Bhajans by all the assembled delegates and Sai devotees of Nellore in a most enthusiastic manner from the Mandir to the Convention Venue. Baba's procession nearly took about two hours and gave a good filip to the Convention proceedings. Just then the President of the Convention, Retired Justice N. Krishnaswamy Reddy of Madras High Court, Dr. Dabholkar, son of famous Hemad Pant Anna Saheb Dabholkar, who wrote the immortal Sai Satcharita and Shri Viswanathan Chetty, Retd Registrar of Co-op. Societies and who laid the foundation stone of Nellore Sai Mandir were duly welcomed.
Shri R. L. Reddy, President, Shri Sai Bhaktha Mandali extended a hearty welcome to the delegates and the distinguished guests and referred to the fact of Nellore Sai Bhaktha Mandali hosting for a second time the All India Sai Devotees' Convention along with AISS and spoke of the great stride made by Sai Movement and stressed that Sai Bhakthi is bringing about universal brotherhood and paid tributes to the pioneering efforts made by H. H. Narasimhaswamiji in this regard. Shri R. L. Reddy then requested Justice Krishnaswami Reddy to preside over the function and paid tributes to the devoted services rendered by him to the cause of universal religion.
Earlier with prayers by two sisters Chi. Kumari Subbulakshmi and Chi. Kumari Vijayalakshmi the Convention started.
Conducted by Shri Chinta Srirama Murthy and Shri Malekondiah, Shri Daivagna Raghava Narayana Sastry Garu lit the traditional lamp thus signifying the inauguration of the Convention. Speaking on the occasion Shri Daivagna Raghava Narayana Sastri Garu referred to the aspects of Para Brahmam, the Paramatraa and the Jeevatma and the cycles of births and deaths when the soul seeks the merger with the originator and conveyed the purpose of the lives of Saints like Sai Baba who have come down on earth to uplift the common people into the real purpose of life. He spoke of the Upanishads and Vedas comparing the truths expounded with Science trends and stressed the aspects of good life and conveyed his blessings to one and all offering his prayers to Almighty for the success and prosperity of all devotees.
Following this inaugural speech Dr. Dabbolkar was introduced to the audience by Shri Chinta Srirama Murthy and the attractive Souvenir brought out by the Nellore Sai Bhaktha Mandali marking the Convention was then released by Dr. Dabholkar. Speaking on the occasion Shri Dabholkar referred to the magnetic personality of Shri Sai Baba (whom he had the good fortune of taking personal blessings) and prayed for Baba's Blessings to one and all. Shri G. Viswanathan Chetty released the Karavalamba Stotra written by Shri Parthasarathy Garu of Cheruvu. (Shri Parthasarathy is the son of revered Bapatla Hanumantha Rao Garu. a great Sai Sevak).
Shri N. Krishnaswami Reddy then gave the Presidential address and spoke at length on the theme of the Convention namely, Universal Religion - the message of Shri Sai Baba. He spoke on the exemplary life of Sai Baba and stressed his teaching based on Upanishads and Vedas -being the sum and substance of Universal Religion and also referred to the life of H. H. Narasimhaswamiji in bringing to the world the rich wisdom of Shri Sai Baba. He traced the lives of Saints and Sages of India who stressed this universal aspect and in particular referred to the clarion call given by Swami Vivekananda expounding the message of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He concluded that universal religion is a true panacea to all the ills of the world and prayed to the Lord Almighty and Shri Baba to bless the simple, honest seeker with that enlightenment.
Shri Malekondiah, Secretary gave the history and activities of Nellore Sai Bhaktha Mandali describing the various activities carried on - and Shri Rajaram read the messages from various dignitaries and leading Sai devotees wishing the Convention all success.
Shri Chinta Srirama Murthy proposed a vote of thanks to the President of the function and to Shri T. Raghava Narayana Sastry and others.
Sai Baba Drama in Telugu was staged by Kakinada Sai Seva, Natya Mandali at the Town Hall that night itself. The hall was packed to capacity & the public& Sai Devotees very much appreciated — the life of Sai Baba enacted by Shri Vadrevu Rama Rao and other Sai Devotees of Kakinada.
The 2nd Day of the Convention-Delegate Session (8-2-83)
The delegates, open session was then held at 9 A. M. on 8-2-83 at the spacious Co-operative Bank Buildings fully covered by Shamiana and carpets laid for the comfortable seating of the delegates and public. Shri Kanuparti Venkata Subrahmanyam Garu, donor of a Building for Sai Mandir, presided.
The address of Shri T. Kesava Rao, President, AISS, was read by Shri S. Seshadri, Vice-President, AISS. He referred at length to the purpose of such Conventions which bring all Sai devotees together from different parts and that the resultant Sath Sangh was of immense value adding to the development of Sai Bhakthi and Sai Prachar. He spoke of the need of such Sath Sangh and explained how H. H. Narsimhaswamiji who started Conventions and Shri Saipadananda Radhakrishna Swamiji stove hard to build Sai brotherhood based on love and service. He made an appeal to all Sai Institutions to support the AISS in this noble task of Sai propagation and listed out the various concrete steps taken by AISS in making available Books on Shri Sai Baba written by H. H. Narasimha Swamiji. He also laid stress on training Sai Pracharaks and also desired to honour writers and Sai Sevaks so as to create an impetus and incentive for bringing out more works on Shri Sai Baba in various languages. Shri S. Seshadri, Vice-President AISS explained the significance of the role of AISS and H. H. Narasimhaswami and stressed the need for expanding various activities such as Sai Vidyalaya, Sai Dispensary and publications on Shri .Sai. He laid great stress on social services in the name of Sai and assured all possible help and support to other Sai Centres for such activities.
(To be continued)
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