Avatar Declaration Day 2017 - Global Initiatives
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Om Sri Sai Ram.
We wish you a happy and holy Vijaya Dashami and I pray for Swami’s blessings and grace on this auspicious occasion.
Every year, the SSSIO celebrates Avatar Declaration Day on 20th October with a global service project, “Serve the Planet.” This year, the theme selected by the Sri Sathya Sai Young Adults, who are leading the project, is ‘Protect the Planet’. We will be focusing on caring for our environment in light of Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teachings on Ceiling on Desires (COD), with respect to the reduction/elimination of plastic, conservation of water and consumption of nutritious food which supports spiritual growth. These documents can be downloaded from the link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3ps_kx_RIrASTR3ZXlyTU44Q3M. A range of resources on these topics including study circle materials, practical tips, centre and community service guides can also be accessed via the link: www.sathyasai.org/ya/serve-the-planet.
We are also encouraging all SSE Children to engage in the (Heal the Environment, Love the Planet (H.E.L.P) initiative for which submission date has been extended to 23rd November 2017 – more information can be found on www.sathyasai.org/ya/serve-the-planet-2017/sse-help.
Today, all the five elements are polluted and, consequently, man is mired in insecurity. Today the world is losing its ecological balance as man, out of utter selfishness, is robbing mother Earth of her resources like coal, petroleum, iron, etc. As a result, we find earthquakes, floods and such other devastating natural calamities. Human life will find fulfilment only when ecological balance is maintained. Balance in human life and balance in nature, both are equally important.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba, 26 May 1992
In celebration of Avatar Declaration day, we also urge all Sri Sathya Sai devotees to join in Global Akhanda Gayatri chanting – namely, continuous chanting of the Gayatri round the clock, all over the world. You may register to participate at the website http://gayatri.sathyasai.org/ which describes the meaning of Gayatri mantra, how to chant the mantra, the benefits of chanting and when to chant the mantra. The website allows you to select the time slot and frequency for chanting Gayatri.
Jai Sai Ram.
In the Loving Service of Sai,
Narendranath Reddy, M.D.
Chairman, Prasanthi Council
Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation