Ludhiana, September 3

To serve mankind, without any distinction on the basis of religion, race, nationality, caste, creed or sect, the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation was founded by the followers of Sathya Sai Baba from all over the world. The samithis consist of members belonging to different ethnic groups and different religions, who have joined together to serve mankind.

The convener of the society, Mr Atul Soni, said a three tier work was being undertaken by the organisation. The spiritual activities include devotional singing, nagar sankeertan, study circles, public lectures, seminars, meditation etc.

The educational activities cover Bal Vikas (human values) programmes besides formal academic education combined with the development of character of the students. The teachers in the organisation take up classes thrice a week in schools to inculcate basic human values in children. The students are divided into three age groups and value-based programmes in the form of plays, recitations, skits are staged accordingly. The beauty lies in the fact that students are motivated to script these activities.

Each year, September 6 is observed in the honour of Sri Sathya Sai’s mother, in which activities, like painting, calligraphy, quiz competitions are organised throughout the week. A grand cultural programme comprising songs, skits, patriotic songs is organised on the day.

Activities like medical camps, blood donation camps, eye operation camps, visits to old age homes and homes for handicapped, and adoption of under-developed villages are undertaken by the organisation. The organisation provides relief during natural calamities. A huge medical camp in association with another NGO, Jyoti Kender, was organised on August 26. Almost 600 patients attended the camp. The members prepared food and distributed medicines among them.

A regular feature of the organisation is to supply free medicines to poor and destitute patients. The members visit the Civil Hospital on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and give the medicines directly to the patients. They also get the x-rays, pathological tests conducted free of cost for them. On every third Sunday, the members clean up one ward of the Civil Hospital.