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Get the degree of Educare; Bliss of the self is Educare exhorted
Bhagawan ‘delivering’ Divine Benedictory Address on the occasion
of XXXI Convocation of SSSIHL this morning here in Prasanthi
Nilayam. XXXI Annual Convocation
of SSSIHL was held at the Sai Kulwant Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam
marked with a glittering ceremony.
Unique, imparting free education promoting human values with
spiritual orientation, Sri Sathya Sai Institute has been the
beacon of hope for a new world order, engendering thousands upon
thousands of students for the past three decades, ever since its
inception.
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning was instituted in
the year 1981 to provide value based education, absolutely free
of cost, and has the unique distinction of being one of the very
few institutions that impart emphasis on total value based
education.
Besides education, the students are taught human values,
morality and spirituality with the five cardinal human values of
Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa being the backbone of
all teachings. The Institution has three campuses, a Women’s
Campus in Anantapur set up in the year 1968, Men’s Campus at
Brindavan in Whitefield, Bangalore set up in 1969 and the Men’s
Campus at Prasanthi Nilayam set up in 1981. This institution has
the unique distinction of being accorded Double Plus Level
Higher Rating (Highest Grade) certification by the National
Accreditation and Assessment Council.
The Convocation ceremony commenced at 1100 hrs. with a grand
regal procession, from the Yajur Mandir, led by the Institute
Brass Band. As is customary, two students carried the Scepter on
one side while the Registrar of the Institute carried the
Ceremonial Mace.
The dais, the Seat Of The Divine Chancellor, was arranged in
front of the Sanctum Sanctorum. Chief Guest to the Convocation,
flanked by former VCs, academicians, members of the academic
council and other officials were seated on the dais.
Ceremonial Veda chanting followed. Submitting himself at His
Lotus Feet, Vice Chancellor, Prof. J. Sashidhara Prasad prayed
to the Founder ‘Divine’ Chancellor to declare the convocation
open. To the delight of a capacity audience, Divine Chancellor’s
beatific voice rung in the air…”I Declare The Convocation Open…”
and the assembly went into rapturous applause.
Offering Pranams to Bhagawan, the Vice Chancellor exuded
confidence that the graduands of the year would become torch
bearers of His vision and mission, fulfilling His ‘dream’ of a
peaceful world. Mentioning about the unavailability of the
current Chancellor Justice (Retd.) PN Bhagavati, owing to
ill-health, the Vice Chancellor extended a cordial welcome to
the entire assembly into the morning’s function, before
introducing the Chief Guest at the Convocation.
Presenting the colourful profile of the Chief Guest, the Vice
Chancellor also spoke about the substantial progress made by the
Institute over the past one year that include induction of the
new campus in Muddenahalli, new courses at various campuses,
greater thrust given in the area of research and development,
new initiatives in the area of value based education etc., to
name a few.
The Chief Guest for the Convocation Dr. Anil Kakodkar is
currently Homi Bhabha Chairperson at the Baba Atomic Research
Centre, Mumbai and was formerly Chairman, Atomic Energy
Commission of India.
Graduates for the year were presented to the Founder
Chancellor followed by the Institute Oath, administered by the
Vice Chancellor. The Oath reads: “I hereby solemnly declare and
promise that if admitted to the degree duly recommended I will
in my thought, word and deed, support the cause of sound
learning, morality and spirituality, all round welfare of my
countrymen and fellow men.”
Gold medals to various degrees were presented to the students
by the Vice Chancellor. Twenty two students were presented with
various gold medals for academic excellence, instituted in
honour of distinguished personalities. Three students were
conferred with doctoral degrees.
Chief Guest’s Convocation address followed:
Offering obeisance to Bhagawan, the distinguished chief guest
began his Convocation Address with a special comment on
Bhagawan’s University, calling it a special one with unique
features.
Congratulating graduands of the year, reminding them of the
significance of the day, the learned speaker divulged into
various areas concerning present day education, socio-economic
transformation and the need for nation building in a changing
paradigm.
Education is the key ingredient in character building and
socio-economic transformation said Dr. Kakodkar adding that
education has the positive influence in empowering human capital
to convert it into a major constructive force to propel nation
development. Elucidating on a new Education Paradigm shift, Dr
Kakodkar echoed on the need to create and nurture a holistic
learning environment. Emphasising on high quality research in
Universities he said that such developments would help to make
our education more holistic and build an ecosystem nurturing the
spirit of innovation.
India with a great cultural backdrop and time tested value
system should take advantage of its demographic advantage of its
youth. The countryshould be aware of the fast embracing
knowledge driven economy worldwide and the fast changing
technology; we need to be conscious of the impact of these
rapid transactions and prepare our societies to benefit out of
it.
We are in a way passing through a critical phase in our
country. Are we well prepared for this transformation? How are
we to respond proactively to the emerging situation? …paused Dr
Kakodkar ending his speech hoping that students will retain the
spirit of trusteeship and contribute substantially to the
institution that brought them up and to the society and to the
nation at large.
This was followed by the Benedictory Address by the Founder
Chancellor, the video of which was played on LED screens,
echoing the ashram precincts.
Discoursing on education and who is a true student, Bhagawan
said to be away from unwanted, ephemeral and fleeting, Bhagawan
asked the students to protect Truth and Righteousness. Welfare
of humanity is ensured when Truth is protected; entire universe
rests in Truth and Righteousness.
National Anthem was sung followed by Mangala Arathi at 1230
hrs. before the University Band retreated leading the procession
back to Yajur Mandir.
II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II | 
