Between You and Us

Unique University, Awesome Chancellor

“I thought people who live up to their principles had drastically reduced in this organization. But you have proved me wrong. I am really happy that those who stick to their values and do the right thing are still around. I am truly delighted.” The Administrative Manager of a reputed company in Mumbai said this to his subordinate who was an alumnus of the Sri Sathya Sai University. Another superior, this time a CEO of a software firm in Bangalore, called one of his employees, who had the courage to bring to the notice of the management serious lapses in behaviour of a few colleagues, and said, “As a student of Sri Sathya Sai University, you are truly the moral gatekeepers of this company.” These are just two samples to highlight a very significant concern of modern times.

Today, universities and educational enterprises of eminence and repute are not few. The premium brands like Harvard and MIT in the USA or the IIMs and IISs in India of course may be a minority, but even these are expanding. For instance, the Government of India has sanctioned the establishment of seven new IIMs in 2009. Besides these extremely elite institutions, there is a plethora of other business schools, engineering institutions and other knowledge centres, and their number in India and the world over is only spiraling.

According to India’s National Knowledge Commission, the country still needs at least 1500 more universities. Many of these institutions are celebrated for one facet or the other. If one is hailed for the brilliant IQ in IT of its graduates, the other is acclaimed for churning out engineers of high caliber, while the third is looked at awe for the signing bonuses and pay packets that its students command or demand and receive!

But how many institutions do we know which are exalted for offering society a band of intelligent men and women whose strength is their indomitable moral fibre as much as their technical and professional expertise? How many are such colleges at the graduation, post graduation and even at the postdoctoral level which passionately and genuinely instill into the hearts and minds of their students the dicta “Truth alone Triumphs” or “Righteousness protects the Right”?

In fact, the topic of Ethics and issues related to morality and spirituality, are given the same treatment that most obese youngsters give to their dietary habits. Those enlightened rules of life are considered ancient and impractical, though in the real sense, these tenets are what will confer prosperity and peace not only to them, but also on everyone else associated, directly and indirectly with them – indeed the society at large.

It is in this context that the first paragraph of this editorial needs to be underlined. Imparting an education that instills in the young minds a conviction that ‘Character is Power’ and the belief that in life ‘empathy and caring is more important than an enviable career’, has been the principal goal of the Sri Sathya Sai University right from its inception in 1981. Though this is the most salient aspect of this holy seat of learning, it is not the only one. From the time a student steps into this university till he/she is awarded the degree in their hands, no one hears the term ‘fees’ or any of its synonyms.

The pupil has the blessed opportunity to focus, without any hindrances or distractions whatsoever, solely on their subjects and on lofty ideals. Again, in its more than a quarter century of history, this University, which places discipline on a high pedestal, has always worked from the June 1 of every year till the March 31 of the next year, without the delay of a single day come what may.

Another remarkable aspect is the fact that selfless service in this university is a virtue (and not a forced punishment for one’s wrongdoings), and the students voluntarily engage in acts of social service, self-service, hostel-service, room-service and such initiatives which form the basis of its self-induced (by the students in response to the campus environment of altruism) self-reliance and social responsibility programs.

While all these are truly unique and awe-inspiring, what is even more amazing is the intense personal interest in the welfare of every student not only by the faculty members, the Principals and the Wardens, the administrative officials, the visiting Professors, or even the Vice Chancellor or the Registrar, but by the Chancellor Himself! In fact, this is exactly what makes this institution so lofty and an ideal to emulate.

Can you think of a university where the Chancellor interacts with the students on a daily basis? Is there any Head of an educational institution who is concerned about not only the physical and mental health but also the spiritual well-being of its every pupil and offers support and solace, love and blessings to his or her wards? To get a glimpse of how this actually happens and the impact it has on the young minds, please read our story “A Million Mothers’ Love” in the Swami and Me section of this issue.

But this unique Chancellor does not stop with nurturing all His students’ physical, emotional and spiritual needs, He goes even further. Almost every year, during the summer vacations, He takes a few of them to the hill station in Kodai Kanal and offers His entire day, dawn to dusk, to them for sometimes a whole month or at least a couple of weeks. He lives with them, eats and sings with them, jokes and entertains them – but all the while instilling in them invaluable lessons of life, sometimes covertly, other times overtly. The students not only enjoy all this, but are also consciously or unconsciously enlightened.

What exactly happens in this trip? What are these sessions like? How does Baba so subtly mould the minds of these youngsters towards a life of nobility and integrity? And what is the most entertaining part in this special odyssey? Actually, it is difficult to document everything that happens in this exceptional excursion because it is not a one hour or one day voyage but a 24-hour experience for days and weeks together. However, it is our endeavour to share with you as much as possible and in a manner that is engaging and entertaining. Please read the first episode of this amazing story in this issue’s cover story “Kodai Festival 2009”. We plan to follow this up with another eleven episodes in subsequent issues of H2H. You can also very soon hear this program on Radio Sai and download it for your convenient listening.

Once you immerse yourself in this Kodai Festival 2009, you will know that the secret of this one-of-its-kind university is actually the secret of this universe. We all know it, we all feel it, but maybe don’t do enough to share it with others sincerely. But this Chancellor does it day in and day out. That’s why He addresses all His students as “Embodiments of Divine Love!”

Truly, life without Love has no purpose. If the world is still a beautiful place, it is because they are a few out there who understand and harness, revel in and radiate this principle of Pure Love.

Let us make Love the summum bonum of our lives.

Loving regards,
Heart2Heart Team