A daylong event to celebrate the Centenary year of Mahasamadhi of Shirdi Sai Baba was held at Angaluru, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh on 27th January 2018. Under the aegis of Shirdi Sai Global Foundation, Shri Shirdi Sai Seva Sangam headed by Shri Nagamohan organized this event with the support of several other Shirdi Sai Baba related trusts of Andhra and Telangana. The theme of the event as described by Dr. Chandra Bhanu Satpathy was to consolidate the Sai Movement by getting active participation of the devotees and trusts dedicated to Shri Shirdi Sai Baba and converting the occasion to render direct help to differently able, weaker and neglected sections of the society. A committed and dynamic team of Sai devotees led by Dr. Sateesh Reddy, Dr. Raghunath Reddy, and Mr. Nagamohan made it possible for this multidimensional event to be shaped in the rural area which will generate a long-term positive effect.

 

In the morning session, the stage witnessed the presence of Dr C B Satpathy, the Chief Guest and Shri K.V.Chowdary (Central Vigilance Commissioner, New Delhi), Shri Dr. Kamineni Srinivas(Health and Medical Education Minister of Andhra Pradesh), Shri P. Manikayala Rao (Endowment Minister of Andhra Pradesh), Shri Mandali Budha Prasad (Deputy Speaker of Andhra Pradesh), Shri Pinnamaneni Venkateswara Rao (President, A.P. Co-Operative Bank), Dr. G. Sateesh Reddy (Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri). Beginning with the traditional Ganesh Vandana followed by the lighting of the lamp by Dr. C B Satpathy, the Chief Guest and other dignitaries on the dais, the varied dimensions of the event was explained to the audience by Dr. Raghunath Reddy, Professor, Tirupati University. Besides devotees and trustees from different parts of the country, the event was attended about 5000 devotees including old people and women from different parts of Telangana, AP.

 

During the day about 20,000 people were given free meal which included the poor, destitute and underprivileged sections of the society. Most importantly as conceptualized and designed by Dr. C B Satpathy direct help was given to the needy and poor sections of the society which included people of all ages and both the sexes on the stage. The differently abled people were given 71 tricycles and 62 wheelchairs. Also 15 artificial limbs, 92 hearing aids were distributed among the others. The event also witnessed student's active participation. 32 needy students were given uniforms and 23 deserving blind students were given scholarships.

 

A medical camp supported by Omega Hospital, Shankara Eye Hospital, Ramesh Hospital and SIDS Hospital which benefited about 2000 people on the day was a part of the program. Besides the dignitaries on the stage, the program was also attended by M. Malakondaiah (DGP of Andhra Pradesh),  Mrs Malasondiah, Secretary Health, AP Govt, Mr.R.C Joshi (Addl Secretary UPSC), Arun Kumar (DG , BSF), Sanjay Chandra (Addl DGP Intelligence, West Bengal) and many other trustees and devotees of Shirdi Sai Baba from different parts of India.

 

In his speech, Dr. Satpathy emphasized on spending of energy, time and money by Sai devotees and trusts on rendering direct service to the weaker and neglected sections of the society in the fields of healthcare, education and disaster management. According to him the socially cohesive theme of Shirdi Sai Baba cutting across religious and social themes is of utmost priority.

 

The post-lunch second session showcased the cultural vivacity of Telugu dance form and music. Dr. Satpathy Ji honored individual Sai devotees who had rendered significant contribution towards the moment with mementos on behalf of Shirdi Sai Global Foundation.