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SPECTACULAR SPORTS AND CULTURAL EVENTS DISCIPLINE, DARING AND DEVOTION were seen at their best in the Annual Sports and Cultural Meet of Sri Sathya Sai institutions held in the sprawling Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium, Prasanthi Nilayam on 11th January 2003. The mega events conducted in the Divine Presence of Bhagavan Baba in a spirit of equanimity, solidarity and spirituality were no doubt on a par with international standards both in planning and execution. However, the cut-throat competition witnessed during the conduct of such events elsewhere was conspicuous by its absence in these events because the objective of the participants here was not to win a medal or reward but to please their Revered Chancellor, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. This is one of the most striking features of these sports and cultural events which form a important part of the integral sytem of education of this institute. Bhagavan Inaugurates Sports and Cultural Meet 2003 As early as an hour before dawn on 11th January 2003, the stands of Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium were filled to capacity with eager spectators, some of whom had travelled long distances to witness this grand display. As a beautiful sunrise lifted the veil of darkness from the Stadium and the golden sunlight revealed the scenic beauty of the surroundings, the stage was set for the most spectacular show by the students of the three campuses at Brindavan, Prasanthi Nilayam and Anantapur (which includes B.Ed, students) as well as those of Primary and Higher Secondary Schools. The Anantapur Campus band offered a splendid welcome to Bhagavan Baba, the Chancellor of the Institute when He arrived in the Stadium in His sparkling white robe at 7.20 a.m. in a white open car. Bhagavan then passed through a canopy of flags held by the House Captains. In a grand procession headed by beautifully bedecked Sai Geeta, and followed by the Institute band, and the horse riders squad, Bhagavan was led to Santhi Vedika where He was offered a reverential and warm welcome by the Vice Chancellor and the Institute Faculty and officers. Bhagavan inaugurated the Sports and Cultural Meet at 7.35 a.m. by lighting the sacred lamp amidst a thunderous applause of the spectators. Soon after the inauguration ceremony, the programme with bouquets of flowers was presented to Bhagavan. Then the marching squads of students started arriving at Santhi Vedika to offer their reverential salute to Bhagavan Baba. While the Institute brass band provided the marching tunes, smartly dressed students of Primary and Secondary School and those of the three campuses of the Institute presented a magnificent March Past. After this excellent show of March Past, Bhagavan hoisted the Institute Flag and released a pair of pigeons and bunches of balloons to signal the commencement of the sports and cultural events. The customary oath was then administered to the participants. Lighting of the Sports Urn on the top of the hill by a torch vehicle designed as a white dove, a symbol of peace, was one of the unique features of the Sports Meet of the Institute. Sports Events by the Institute Students The Brindavan Campus students were the first to present their sports and cultural events. First of all, they presented an exquisite choreography of dance styles drawn from different parts of the world in the form of free flowing sequences. In their next item named "Celestial Rhythms", the students made beautiful formations involving strength, courage and balance along with speed, style and elegance on an aerial grid suspended at a height of 60 feet above the ground with the help of two massive cranes. The last item of the Brindavan Campus students was the impressive equestrian events, such as show jumping and tent-pegging. The students exhibited rare skill in controlling the horses and presented a grand show in spite of their short-period of training. The Anantapur Campus students commenced their presentation with a spectacular cultural item of dances expressing the spirit of the onset of Uttarayana and the joy of the harvest festival of Sankranti. This was followed by a series of fast-paced aerobic exercises and the rhythmic bamboo poles dance of Nagaland. Their next item was an amazing display of martial arts of Shaolin school. The feats on unicycles which demanded balance, concentration and control were another spectacular item of their programme. Prasanthi Nilayam institutions entered the field with an artistic pageant of a revolving globe resting in Swami's hand depicting the theme of their presentation, namely, "Global Harmony". They began their programme with synchronous acrobatics displaying harmony in group exercises and the joyous splendour of life. This was followed by daring feats at a height of 30 feet on a massive giant wheel. Next, the feats on rings and triple trapeze performed by the Higher Secondary School and the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus students enthralled the audience. But the daredevil motorbike stunts by the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus students displayed their rare courage and skill. They included magnificent formations, ramp jumping, smashing through a wall of glass and manoeuvring through tunnels of fire. The morning's programme came to a close with a beautiful final formation by the students and staff of Prasanthi Nilayam institutions. Bhagavan blessed them by going amidst them and posing for photographs with them. Arati was offered to Bhagavan at the end of the programme at 10.30 a.m.
Sports and Cultural Events by Primary The afternoon belonged to our tiny tots. After the arrival of Bhagavan Baba in the Stadium at 3.00 p.m., the Primary School students of Prasanthi Nilayam commenced their presentation with a charming dance and song to offer worship to Lord Ganesh. This was followed by feats on Chinese poles with a presentation of martial arts in the foreground. In these feats, the students showed their amazing skill and dexterity. They made many beautiful formations and climbed the vertical poles with amazing ease. Two of the boys also jumped from one pole to another defying all law of gravity. The audience was thrilled by this excellent performance and clapped nearly continuously in great appreciation. The next item was Lion Dance, comprising 30 lions' who really captivated the gathering. The dare-devilry of the little kids on their mini motorbikes was amazingly breathtaking. Their dances with dummy trains and later with costumes of birds interspersed with the teachings of Bhagavan heralding the Advent of Sai Age and highlighting the various landmarks in the life of Bhagavan was extremely enchanting. Bhagavan was obviously very happy with the delightful performance of the small children. He went amidst them to shower His grace on them and posed for photographs with them. This most spectacular show of sports and cultural events came to a happy conclusion at 4.30 p.m. with Arati to Bhagavan. SOURCED: SANATHANA SARATHI FEBRUARY 2003 PGS 41-44 |
