New Year Greeting 2023
December 28, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Loving Sai Ram to each of you.
I wish you a happy and holy New Year filled with Swami's love and blessings.
As we welcome the New Year 2023, let us reminisce with gratitude the blessings bestowed upon us by Lord Sai. Despite many challenges we faced during 2022, including the lingering pandemic, natural disasters, wars, famine, etc., we overcame them by His grace. Members of the Sri Sathya Sai International Organization (SSSIO) served their communities diligently and with determination worldwide.
The SSSIO, founded, nurtured, and guided by Bhagawan Baba, continues to serve in 114 countries. During 2022, SSSIO members resumed in-person meetings and celebrated Akhanda Bhajans, Ladies Day, Swami's Birthday, and Christmas.
Lord Sai descended on earth to remind us of the goal of human life and show us the path of divine love to sanctify and redeem our lives. With love and unity, let us continue serving in the Divine Mission with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Bhagawan's infinite glory is experienced through the work accomplished by SSSIO members worldwide, some of which are highlighted below:
- Humanitarian Relief: SSSIO offered humanitarian relief to alleviate the suffering caused by natural disasters in Belgium, South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, and many other countries in 2022. Further information is available HERE.
- Ukraine Relief: The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has caused much suffering. Starting in March 2022, SSSIO members in North Europe (Zone 7), with the support of SSSIO members worldwide, offered food, water, shelter, supplies, medical assistance, and love and comfort to the refugees. More information is available HERE.
- Service in Kenya: Kenya has been experiencing one of the most prolonged and severe droughts in the last 40 years. Commemorating the 97th Birthday of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the SSSIO of Kenya spearheaded a massive food distribution during November 20-25, 2022. For more details, please click HERE.
- Honor for SSSIO Brazil: On August 26, 2022, at a Special Session in the nation's capital, the Federal Senate of Brazil honored the contribution of the Institute of Sathya Sai Education of Brazil for its tireless work over 22 years in developing values-based education in Brazil. More information is available HERE.
- Cataract Surgeries: In honor of Swami's 100th Birthday, the SSSIO of Paraguay is performing 1,000 cataract surgeries for the needy, free of charge. The first 500 surgeries were completed on November 5, 2022, and a Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, Asunción, on November 6, 2022. For more details, please click HERE.
- Strategic Initiatives: A series of Workshops were held in 2022 on Strategic Initiatives and Innovative Ideas to move the divine mission forward more effectively. The workshops focused on six key functions of the SSSIO: administration and governance, spiritual/devotional, service, education, media, and communication. This work is ongoing.
- Online Programs: SSSIO organized several online programs to share Swami’s love and message through videos, experiences of transformation, and various musical and cultural offerings. SSSIO Zones also presented inspiring online programs to strengthen our ties of love, unity, and dedication. Further details are available HERE.
- The Eternal Companion: SSSIO launched a monthly magazine titled Sathya Sai – The Eternal Companion in March 2022, with the noble goal of sharing with everyone the love, teachings, glory, and works of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Each issue presents a selected divine discourse, writings of Sri Sathya Sai, inspiring articles from devotees worldwide, service articles, YA initiatives, SSE presentations, and much more. To read present and past issues, please click HERE.
- SAI 100 Program: Going forward, the SSSIO offers the SAI 100 program at the divine lotus feet of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba for His 100th Birthday in 2025. This noble and inspiring project has 12 initiatives which are described HERE. With your support and participation, we plan to implement SAI 100 program worldwide starting in 2023.
SSSIO Mexico is celebrating its 50th anniversary during April 6–8, 2023. In Asia, SSSIO Zones 4 and 5 are jointly organizing a Sai Retreat in Sri Lanka from August 25–27, 2023. All are welcome to join the Mexico celebration and the Sri Lanka retreat. For more information, please email us at info@sathyasai.org
Much progress was made in the divine mission in 2022 because of your valuable contributions and diligent work, and the abundant grace of Lord Sai. Thank you for your continued loving support and participation in the SSSIO.
Let us all pray to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba to bless us with determination and devotion to continue to serve Him and His creation with unconditional love and dedication.
Jai Sai Ram.
Lovingly in the service of Sai,
Narendranath Reddy, M.D.
Chairman