Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
“Who is Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba?” is a question many people ask. To a spiritual aspirant, he is a Divine Master par excellence; to a rationalist, the greatest of humanitarians on earth; to the millions of modern youth, a leader with a dynamic vision and a colossus of inspiration; to a devotee, he is simply Divinity in human form.
His life and message is inspiring millions of people throughout the world to lead more purposeful and moral lives. Sri Sathya Sai Baba publicly declared his mission in 1940, at the age of fourteen. Since then, he has, by personal example, exhibited the cardinal human values of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love, and Non-violence. He has often stated, “My life is my message.” Each and every day, innumerable pilgrims make their way to the tiny hamlet of Puttaparthi in southern India, where Sathya Sai Baba’s ashram (spiritual headquarters) is located.
His greatest miracle is the power to transform. It takes ages even to bring about an iota of change in a person’s attitude and vision. However, Sri Sathya Sai Baba could transfix and bring about a complete metamorphosis in the human personality in an instant through a mere smile, a word or a gesture. For over seven decades, he performed the same actions of walking amidst devotees, receiving their letters, and speaking a word of solace each time with renewed enthusiasm and joy.
His love and concern for mankind led to the establishment of phenomenal institutions in the field of education, healthcare and social welfare which now act as role models worthy of emulation, across the globe. All these initiatives have been undertaken under the auspices of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, which was founded by Sri Sathya Sai Baba in 1972, and for which he was the Founder Trustee since its inception. By sheer conviction and by outstanding personal example, he guided and spearheaded all the initiatives to fruition and enabled them to reach the exalted state that they have achieved today, thereby carving a special niche for India in the field of socio-spiritual activities.
Education for Human Transformation
Smt Easwaramma High School is the first educational institution established by him. The school was established as an answer to the prayers of Mother Easwaramma, in 1972. Puttaparthi, was a small hamlet back then. The nearest school was few kilometers away. In the absence of proper roads and transportation, children walked several kilometers on dry, rocky terrain to reach their schools and obtain education.
Mother Easwarmma, sought a promise from little Sathya back when he was 14 years old, to build a school for the children of Puttaparthi where children would receive good education, closer to their homes. In answer to her prayers, Smt Easwaramma High School, was established 20th July 1972. The school has completed 50 years of imparting value- based education and creating generations of young men and women
His philosophy of education has been hailed as a landmark change in an era where education is an industry that is commercially motivated and focused on wealth creation and employment. His dicta, ‘The End of Education is Character’ and ‘Education is for life, not merely for earning a living’ are the watchwords which guide and inspire the staff and students of His educational institutions in their noble pursuit of higher learning.