July 19, 2010 – Swami Blesses the Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Medicare Project as well as the Jaipur Foot and Callipers Distribution Project

The third week of July saw many devotees from the states of Maharashtra and Goa gather at His lotus feet to celebrate Ashaadi.  The first part of their programme was scheduled for July 19. A lot of medicare activity has been on in these states and it has immensely benefited the poor and needy. A very short documentary had been made and the show had been arranged at the Poornachandra auditorium.

Swami had very graciously agreed to visit the auditorium and bless them. The 20 or so Medical vans that had been functional for almost over a year had been brought, driven all the way from Maharashtra and arrayed in the auditorium. It was quite a job and one wondered why this much effort was taken to get the vehicles. But as one of the organisers said, ”We want to show Swami these vans.

We feel He will be happy!” 9 more new vans which would be joining their predecessors were also there in a row. The auditorium was filled by the people involved in the project and everyone awaited from 3 p.m. for Swami’s arrival.

The Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Medicare Project has been on in the different districts of Maharashtra viz. Mumbai, Thane, Nasik, Pune, Solapur, Nanded, Kolhapur, Parbhani, Yavatmal, Amravati, Washim, Nagpur, Gadchiroli, Bhandara, Buldana, Jalgaon, Aurangabad and Dhule. The goal is to have 108 vans rendering this free service as soon as possible.

It was nearly 5 p.m. when Swami arrived into the auditorium accompanied by Veda chanting. He moved down the stage and to the area where a map of Maharashtra had been erected highlighting the reach of the programme. He blessed Mr. Indulal Shah and Mr. Keki Mistry with Vibhuti packets. Then He lit the lamp and listened as various people explained the different aspects of the medicare project.

A few ladies also offered roses to Him after which Swami began to move along the row of parked ambulances. The emergency lights on top and the blinkers were put on and it appeared as though the vans were also rejoicing in the Divine presence! All the devotees actively involved in the project stood along the vans and they offered flowers to Swami and many took padanamaskar as Swami passed by them.

Swami slowly completed a circle and came back to the front where one of the vans stood with all doors open and He had a look at the facilities available in each van. Then He moved to the centre and in front of the video screen. The documentary began. It was more of a collection of clips of the beneficiaries expressing their gratitude to Swami.

Since they had spoken in Marathi, it had been reasonably dubbed into Telugu. Swami’s involvement in the show is what made the presentation moving. Swami got riveted to the video! As the people spoke of their plight, a few tears welled in His Divine eyes and that was such a poignant scene to watch. Swami is so moved by suffering that it inspires one to wipe out all sorrow from the face of earth!

The most beautiful moment however came a bit later. An elderly lady, speaking into the camera said, “Swami, I could not see properly at all. I was in darkness.” Swami was nodding to what she was speaking! Then she said, “Today, it is only by your grace that I am able to see. I express my gratitude to Thee.” Even as she said that, Swami smiled at her and raised His hand in abhayahastha and benediction towards the screen! It was such a beautiful and spontaneous gesture and blessed indeed is that old woman for having moved Swami thus!

Once the show was over, Mr. Nimish Pandya made a short speech. He expressed gratitude on behalf of everyone present and prayed to Swami that they all be able to work without allowing ego to raise its ugly hood. Swami received aarthi and moved to the stage and then out of the auditorium. Taking a complete darshan round in the Sai Kulwant Hall, Swami arrived on the stage. He sat there listening to the Veda chanting that was on.

At 6:00 p.m., the State President of Maharastra requested Swami whether the programme could begin. Swami agreed and a few moments later asked for the chanting to cease. Again it was Mr. Nimish Pandya who spoke and he did so briefly on the Jaipur foot and callipers programme that the state organisation had taken up.

The elders involved came up to Swami and offered roses to Him. Then, in full view of Swami, two beneficiaries came up and showed how their mobility had been positively affected after they had been gifted with the Jaipur foot and the callipers. Swami blessed them. Once this was done, Swami asked the students to sing bhajans.

For the next 35 minutes bhajans went on. In between, Swami blessed prasadam to be distributed to all. He also glanced through an album that was presented to Him. At 6:45 p.m., Swami asked for aarthi. One very elderly gentleman involved in the Jaipur foot programme was offering aarthi. Swami called the person by his side and giving a rose to him, told him to give it to that gentleman.

The old man’s joy knew no bounds as the rose reached his hands. Swami smiled and blessed him with an abhayahastha and the old man broke down, unable to contain joy. Blessing everyone with raised hands, Swami retired for the day.

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