Here we bring you
news of Seva carried out in two parts of India, literally at
opposite ends of the country, from the States of Jammu and
Kashmir and Tamil Nadu. Though separated by thousands of miles
the Seva Dals are motivated by the same love and inspiration -
that of helping the suffering and pleasing their Lord.
FLOOD RELIEF SEVA IN TAMIL NADU
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Heart2Heart
readers will be aware of the immediate response of
Swami’s devotees whenever there are disasters affecting
humanity. The Seva carried out by the Sri Sathya Sai
Seva Organisation embraces those affected with the touch
of Swami’s love, poured through His willing instruments.
There can only be physical limits to the help that is
rendered – His Love is everlasting and ever present.
You may remember that
there were torrential rains in Tamil Nadu in the months
of November and December. Thousands of people were
suffering due to the flood waters. Into this situation
entered the Sevadal teams, propelled to aid wherever,
whenever and whoever they could. We would like to tell
you of the Seva that was carried out mainly in the
Chennai area, for your inspiration and interest.
On 12th November 2005 over
600kg of rice was handed out in
Vedachalam Nagar, Koyambedu, providing food security to
125 families. Two weeks later after flooding from the
Cauvery and Coleroon rivers, 2200 people were
served with food packets by 95 sevadals in 7
villages of Tanjore district. |
In an amazing rescue mission
15 youth members put their own lives at risk to save 20
people marooned in the swirling waters. They
constructed a raft using bamboo sticks and barrels,
which was then able to cross the swollen surge and ferry
the stranded back to land.
This occurred in the Madipakkam area
of Chennai Metro on 2nd December 2005. Another 50 people
were cared for and given food at the Koyambedu bus
station.
In the next two days
further seva was undertaken as follows. 1,200
people received food packets in the Choolaimedu
area of Chennai Metro area, as the sevadals waded
through knee deep water in dangerous circumstances to
find the needy people in their very homes. |
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300
people received food and 100 sarees and 150 children’s clothes
were given out at Bharani
Nagar, Alapakkam. 100 people were given food at
IDPL grounds, Nandampakkam and Bharathi slum, Nesapakkam.
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In the Adyar area
of Chennai the Adyar River had burst its banks
and created havoc for the surrounding residents.
40 youth
sevadal distributed hot milk and biscuits to 300
homes in Mallikaipoo Nagar. Unmindful
of danger they were forced to walk through knee
deep water and use emergency lighting.
Those who go to the aid
of others are often neglected themselves. In
such circumstances the Army was engaged in
rescue operations in Kotturpuram and so our
sevadal gave out hot milk and biscuits
to their personnel. |
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Sai Seva During
Tamil Nadu Floods
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7,500
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Place Visited |
16
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People Rescued |
20
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Rice
Handed Out |
600 kg
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People who received clothes |
250
(To Women and Children) |
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1000 people who were sheltering in a
school in the same area were attended to with hot milk,
biscuits, Vibhuti and Swami’s picture.
These details are
only a summary in words of what transpired in desperate
situations. Please bear the limitating factor of words in mind
and take some time to contemplate on the real life feelings of
the seva dal and those whom they went to help. Of all the
devotion and dedication, the sacrifice and joy, the sympathy and
compassion that guided the seva dal. And the pain and anguish of
those suffering, who found their lives lit up in their hours of
need by service inspired by Sai.
Disaster Management Training
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Innovative Floats -
Empty Tins
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Innovative Floats -
Drum Raft
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Sliding Stretcher
Method
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Some of the Seva
dal involved in the above report have been trained in disaster
management. These instructions become vital in life and death
situations. You can see some of the training in these pictures.
It was imparted at a 3 day intensive course near Tanjore. The
topics include water rescue, rescue using ropes, first-aid
training, cardio pulmonary resuscitation techniques and
fire-fighting training. So far 500 seva dal have received
disaster management training in Tamil Nadu. And some have gone
on to become trainers themselves, even instructing people
outside SSSSO!
This article is
based on our latest information from the state president of the
Tamil Nadu Seva Organisation. Next issue we will be updating you
with more such reports.
SAI ACTIVITIES IN JAMMU AND
KASHMIR
The seva carried out
in the state of Jammu and Kashmir has hitherto been
somewhat subdued due to the risk to life from
terrorist activities. The mountainous and rocky
terrain also makes the Seva undertaken a little more
difficult than other parts of India.
Yet the year 2005 was
to be different as it was the glorious 80th advent
year.
The Sai Organisation
of Jammu and Kashmir was determined to ignore any
personal risks and undertake Sai Seva.
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Narayan Seva in Kashmir Valley for
the First Time!
It
was a significant moment for the Organisation when the Seva Dal
members, undeterred by the spate of militancy related activities
in Kashmir Valley, organized the first ever Narayan Seva on the
eve of Bhagavan’s birthday when food packets were served to
hundreds of people.
Grama Seva And
Clothes Distribution In Progress in Jammu and
Kashmir
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Apart from the regular Narayan Seva that is carried out by the
Organization every second Sunday of the month, Sai youth
organized a special Narayan Seva on the eve of Bhagavan’s 80th
Birthday. Food packets were served to the poor and physically
challenged living in the outskirts of Jammu City, in
Jhuggies (temporary houses). In addition to this, several
Sai Youth visited a lepers’ home in the Bhagwati Nagar area of
Jammu City, where delicious food was served to nearly 80 lepers.
As a part of the Narayan Seva, Sevadals also distributed clothes
to 530 people, including families with members suffering from
leprosy and physical disabilities.
“Shanti Rath Yatra” –
Peace March During November
Peace is such a
rare commodity these days. To promote brotherliness and harmony,
the devotes and Sai workers had a “Shanti Rath Yatra” (A Peace
March on The Chariot) in Jammu City during November 2005 to
commemorate Bhagavan’s 80th Birthday.
The “Rath Yatra” helped in creating awareness about Swami and
His message of love and Service among the people. The Chariot
was decorated with banners and was accompanied by cars decked
with pictures of Swami and lead by six Sai youth on motorcycles.
Akhanda Bhajan was also held for 24 hours, attended by
600 people in three locations.
Many would be
aware of the recent earthquake that hit the state of Jammu and
Kashmir and even some areas in Pakistan. Many alumni
from the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning rushed to
the spot to help and aid the victims. There are really moving
stories of servic and of love. We will bring you all these
stories in the next issue of Heart2Heart. Watch out for the
Cover Story of Feb 2006!