| National President's Welcome |
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Sai Ram dear devotees,
I pray that, with Bhagawan’s Grace, you and your families are all keeping safe and well.
The month of April is in the midst of spring, which marks the end of winter and the beginning of new life. Trees bud, flowers bloom, and animals come out of hibernation. It symbolises renewal and the cycle of life, making it a season of hope and optimism. In many cultures, spring is associated with various celebrations and festivals. In April, there were various celebrations such as Rama Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, Passover, Eid al Fitr, Vaisakhi, Ugadi and many others.
Religious festivals serve as occasions to reaffirm one’s faith and commitment to religious traditions. They provide moments of inspiration, encouragement, and spiritual upliftment.
One of the most important celebrations of this Age is the Aradhana Mahotsavam, which provides an opportunity for spiritual renewal, introspection, and rededication to the path of righteousness and self-realisation. It fosters a sense of unity and devotion among devotees, reinforcing the eternal bond between Sri Sathya Sai Baba and His devotee.
On this Aradhana Mahotsavam day, Centres and Groups across the country paid reverence and offered their gratitude to our Beloved Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, to mark this Divine day when the Avatar left His physical form. This day serves as an occasion for us to deepen our spiritual practice, through meditation, prayer, self-reflection, and study of Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teachings. It encourages us to strive for inner transformation and spiritual evolution through our spiritual journey.
In preparation for the Global Young Adult Conference 2024 (GYAC,) the UK Young Adults got together for an in-person sadhana meeting, with the theme “Reconnect with Sai.”
Our Media team launched the official SSSO UK WhatsApp channel, with the aim of streamlining communication, so you are kept informed of all events, news and information relating to the Organisation through one channel, instead of receiving information via various groups. If you have not already subscribed, please do so by clicking the link provided towards the end of this issue.
With Swami’s Grace and the dedication, commitment, and support of all our devotees, the Service Wing achieved the National target of planting 10,080 trees as part of the Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu project in less than a year. We will continue in support of this Global initiative, as it is in our interests to protect the environment for all future generations.
Finally, I am pleased to inform you all that the Organisation, as the newly-formed charity, has opened a bank account with Metro Bank and is ready to receive donations which will benefit from Gift Aid. For further information please contact finance@srisathyasai.org.uk
I pray to Bhagawan that He continues to give us plenty of opportunities to serve in His mission.
Jai Sai Ram
Pratap Thakkar
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| Keep your diaries free! |
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| Upcoming National events |
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Dear Shakti Swaroopa,
It is still not too late to join us for the Sai Shakti Series: a series where we empower ourselves with the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba on women and realise our own inherent divinity.
All you have to do is register via the link below and look out for the pre-reading which will be shared via email.
The first satsang on Self confidence will take place on Wednesday 29th May at 8pm via Zoom and the link will be shared via email once you have registered.
Please note, this registration is only for those who have NOT registered previously.
We look forward to welcoming you to the series and sharing this journey together.
Loving Sai Ram
Sai Shakti Team
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| Ever-popular event attracts record turnout |
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| National Easwaramma Day 2024 |
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On the crisp spring morning of 4th May, the Grange Academy in Bushey, Region 2, transformed into a vibrant hub of spiritual celebration, being the annual National Easwaramma Day event. This programme, deeply rooted in the teachings and spirit of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, but most importantly the celebration of the life of Mother Easwaramma, brought together devotees from every region to honour her legacy through cultural performances, spiritual teachings, and community service.
The day commenced with a heartwarming procession led by the Bal Vikas children. Each child, with a bright smile and Easwaramma in their heart, carried lovely handmade posters inscribed with Bhagawan's inspiring words, setting an inspiring tone for the day. This procession not only highlighted the innocence and purity of the children, which is also what the day is about due to Easwaramma’s unconditional love for children, but also underlined the importance of imparting spiritual values from a young age.
Chief Guest Mr SS Naganand, Trustee, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, reminded us of the significance of following Bhagawan’s path. "We are fortunate to be part of this fold, and may He continue to bless us," he stated, reinforcing the day's spiritual framework. His words echoed through the hall, which deepened the collective sense of purpose and gratitude among us all for how blessed we are to be a part of this organisation and be showered with Baba’s teachings.
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The event proceeded with offerings from the Bal Vikas children in each region. Region 6 graced the occasion with a series of invocation dances dedicated to Lord Ganesha, creating a divine atmosphere for the events that followed. Furthermore, Region 8 uplifted spirits with a soul-stirring bhajan, which captivated us all. This was complemented by Region 2's drama presentation, which vividly brought to life the core principles taught in Bal Vikas classes, such as controlling desires, nurturing the planet, and learning devotional prayers and music. In a display of interactive learning, Region 4 hosted an engaging quiz titled "The Centenary Challenge," which tested us on our knowledge of Swami's life, bhajans, and spiritual teachings through various fun and educational challenges, like anagrams and bhajan guessing. Moreover, Region 1 contributed with an attention-grabbing tale, delivering valuable life lessons that resonated with everyone, further enriching the day's educational offerings.
The UK Council took the opportunity over lunch to provide updates on the organisational advancements, particularly highlighting the enhancements made to the National website since becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). They also shared exciting news about upcoming National events and the growth of home bhajans, now numbering 139!
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Following a delightful lunch that obviously had to include ice cream, the children engaged in various activities designed to foster both fun and learning, ensuring that the essence of Bal Vikas was woven throughout the day.
The afternoon session saw Region 3 delivering soulful songs, while Region 7 presented a drama that emphasised the message of the Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu project, deepening the understanding of divine love. Region 5 children delivered a series of short messages, poems and songs on motherly love and the Divine Mother. Region 2 captivated the audience once again, with a drama on Pundalika imbuing the gathering with reflections on devotion and selflessness.
The event concluded with a certificate ceremony that acknowledged the efforts of all the children involved, followed by devotional songs by the students which added a melodious end to the celebrations, continued by group photos that captured the memories of a day filled with faith, learning, and community spirit.
National Easwaramma Day not only commemorates the values and teachings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba but also reinforces the strength and vibrancy of a community united in its spiritual journey and dedication to spreading love and wisdom across generations, as well as celebrating the life of our dear Mother Eashwaramma and her love for children. We should not criticise others. We should not hurt others or make fun of them. We should love all.
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Registration deadline: 16th May.
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Registration deadline: 20th May.
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| Over 230 entries received |
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| National Poster & Poem Competition - the results! |
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The 2024 National Poster and Poem Competition resulted in more than 230 entries being submitted - a bumper response! Every year, we ask for the judges' work to be made more difficult, and the children truly delivered!
After careful deliberation, we are pleased to announce the winners and runners-up.
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For the Poster competition:
- Winner: Tanisi Kotecha, Harrow West Sai Centre, R2 (entry shown above)
- 1st runner-up: Jasmine Wong, Bradford Sai Centre, R5
- 2nd runner-up: Prema Prajapati, Coventry Sai Centre, R4
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For the Poem competition:
- Winner: Esha Ratnasingham, Merton Sai Centre, R1 (entry shown above)
- 1st runner-up: Mayuree Umapathy, Manor Park Sai Centre, R3
- 2nd runner-up: Arpita Gubba, Leicester Central Sai Centre, R4
We pray to our dearest Bhagawan to shower His choicest blessings upon both the winners and the runners-up, as well as everyone else who participated.
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| Registration now open! |
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| Global Young Adult Conference |
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The registration deadline for SSSGYAC 2024 has been extended to 15th May. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! Register now to be part of this transformative experience.
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| SSS GYAC UK Satsang: registration open |
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Whether you have decided to attend or not, mark your calendar for Saturday 18th May and join us for our second soulful gathering featuring bhajans, enlightening satsangs, captivating talks by guest speakers, and delicious food. Don't miss this chance to connect with fellow pilgrims!
Secure your spot by registering via the link below.
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| SSS GYAC UK April Satsang |
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“The youth of today are the future leaders of the nation and the architects of the new society. The future of a nation depends on its youth. The strength of the youth lies in their spirit of patriotism. The primary duty of the youth is to render service to the society. The physical and mental strength of the youth is the foundation on which a nation is built.” (Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 33, Ch.2, 14th January 2000)
After a lengthy hiatus, the Global Young Adult Conference in Prasanthi Nilayam will be taking place this summer, with the theme being - Reconnect, Recharge and Rejoice in S.A.I. Love. To aid their sadhana efforts in the lead up to the pilgrimage, Young Adults (YAs) from across the UK recently gathered to discuss the first element of the Conference theme: ‘Reconnect.’
The meeting started with the YAs hearing from their fellow brothers and sisters (who were former Sai Youth) about their experiences of previous youth conferences and pilgrimages to Prasanthi Nilayam. It was touching to hear these former YAs discuss their personal experiences with Swami as they recounted their intimate experiences with Him, including singing in front of Him and even watching a film with Him! Nonetheless, each anecdote contained a spiritual lesson, serving as a reminder that Swami’s grace is not easily earned. It was clear to the YAs present that Swami’s blessings are abundant; however, to earn His grace requires regular sadhana and is no mean feat to achieve.
The afternoon progressed with the YAs being split into groups and given various topics over which to contemplate, before presenting back to the wider group. The sisters were tasked with discussing how they integrate spirituality into their daily lives and help ‘reconnect’ with Swami. They touched on various methods including limiting social media use, singing bhajans and listening to Swami’s discourses on Spotify, which was news to some! They concluded that fostering a connection with Swami requires discipline and, whilst they were individually undertaking various sadhanas, they perhaps needed to undertake something more collective as a group. The brothers, on the other hand, pondered over what aspects were drawing them to ‘reconnect’ with Swami. Whilst a concise discussion, they unanimously agreed that the opportunity to go to Prasanthi (for any reason) was not one to turn down and the benefits are sometimes felt far into the future.
The event concluded with Mangala Aarti, followed by prashadam. As the YAs departed, they left feeling reconnected with Swami and their thoughts focused on the next instalment of these sadhana meetings, under the theme of ‘Recharge.’
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| Opportunities to be involved |
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Here's your golden opportunity to chant Vedam during SSS GYAC 2024! Join the Global Young Adults' divine offering. Open to all brothers and sisters!
How to audition:
- You must be registered for SSSGYAC 2024 to participate
- Fill in the form via the below and submit your audition entry by 21st May
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Join our Decoration Seva team and be a part of creating a beautiful atmosphere at Sai Kulwant Hall and other venues in Prasanthi Nilayam for SSS GYAC 2024!
If you have a creative flair and a passion for service, we'd love to have you on board! Let's work together to make SSS GYAC truly special. Interested? Fill in the form via the link below to get involved.
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| Continuing the series of articles by UK Young Adults |
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| The spirit of service |
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For the welfare of the country and of the entire world, the spirit of service, vital enthusiasm, constructive imagination, pure motivation, and unselfish alertness are all needed urgently.
Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 15, Ch. 31, 19 November 1981
The purpose of the Young Adults Wing is to serve the whole organisation whilst supporting the spiritual journey of the next generation. Thus, it is the duty of the Young Adults to be of service, not only to their fellow brothers and sisters across the nation, but also to the world from which they merely borrow. This series of articles captures a snippet of the service activities supported by Young Adults across the UK, in the hope of inspiring others.
In this issue, Brother Myuran Kuhachandran from Region 3 reflects on service for elderly people.
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On Valentine's Day, my heart swelled with excitement as I stepped into the quaint church in Wanstead, East London. This event, tailored for the elderly by Walthamstow Sai Centre, was more than just a celebration - it was a chance to connect with the community that had shaped me.
"Elders are a source of wisdom and strength. Revere and respect them" - these words by Swami echoed in my mind as I helped serve the food, create a quiz, and hand out roses. Each action was not just a gesture of love, but a testament to the reverence I held for the elders gathered here.
As plates filled with hearty meals and were passed around, I couldn't help but smile, knowing each dish was prepared with love by my fellow disciples of Swami. Serving food felt like sharing a piece of my own home with every guest, ensuring they felt cherished and appreciated.
The quiz I crafted was a labour of love, filled with questions to spark nostalgia and laughter. Watching their eyes light up as they reminisced about their past was priceless. When it was time to present the quiz, I stood before them, feeling a sense of pride and joy as I guided them through each question, sharing in their laughter and memories.
Handing out roses was the highlight of the day. As I distributed them, I felt a warmth spreading through the room, knowing that for a moment, I had brought a little extra joy into their lives.
Beyond the festivities, this event was a chance to give back to a community that had given me so much. It was about forging connections, sharing stories, and creating lasting memories. Sister Bhavani's guidance and the dedication of the Walthamstow Sai Centre made this Valentine's Day truly special, leaving a lasting imprint of love and unity in the hearts of the elderly of East London - and in mine, too.
As the day came to a close, I reflected on the profound impact of seva. Beyond the joy of giving back, it was nourishment for my soul. Each interaction, each shared moment, fed my spirit in ways I cannot fully describe. Seva wasn't just about making a difference in others' lives; it was also a journey of self-discovery and growth. It provided me with invaluable lessons, teaching me patience, empathy, and the importance of compassion. In the act of serving others, I found myself enriched, learning more about the world and myself with every experience. Truly, seva was not just a duty, but a privilege: one that I cherished deeply.
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Region 1 (London South East & South West)
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Over 200 devotees across Region 1 gathered at the Sai Mandir on Wednesday 24th April to commemorate the Sri Sathya Sai Aradhana Mahotsavam. The evening began at 6pm with Vedam chanting, led by the Bal Vikas children. What followed was an evening of melodious bhajans in which devotees offered around 90 bhajans. It was heartwarming to see all Centres and Groups of the Region come together under one roof to offer these bhajans with so much love and gratitude. The final hour was filled with upbeat bhajans by the Young Adults. Bhajans concluded at midnight when Mangala Aarti was offered to Swami. Devotees left with positive vibrations and a spring in their step.
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On 5th April, Mitcham Sai Group completed tailoring 42 "Bags of Love" for the children's ward in St George's Hospital in Tooting. Now more Sai Centres are involved and, with Swami's grace, we will be handing over another lot of Bags of Love to St George's Hospital soon.
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Bromley Sai Centre entertained elderly guests on Sunday 21st April. Our talented compères, Bal Vikas instrumental performances, poems and Frank Sinatra performances, delighted our guests, as our busy cooks prepared and served delicious treats. The guests chatted, laughed with their friends and were entertained throughout with quizzes, pass the parcel, bingo and even a Lego competition! Our Bal Vikas children paced the room helping the guests with games, food and care around every activity, gently guiding, and taking an individual interest in all. A dance train concluded the fun-filled event, which was enjoyed by all of us. We thank all our guests for attending and sending us home-made, thank-you cards to show their heartfelt appreciation, as well as giving the Centre another opportunity to do our loving Seva, in Swami’s name.
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Tooting Sai Centre served 80 meals fruit and water to the homeless in central London on 27th April.
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Tooting Sai Centre celebrated Easwaramma Day on 5th May with a programme of Vedam, bhajans, a Bal Vikas play on the life of Mother Teresa and offerings of music and poetry by the children and Young Adults.
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Tooting Sai Centre devotees also contributed 300.4kg of items to the Wandsworth food bank collection, estimated to provide 715 meals to those in need.
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On Sunday 28th April, Wimbledon Sai Centre celebrated Swami's Sri Sathya Sai Aradhana Day Mahotsavam with a series of spiritual activities. The event began with soulful bhajans, followed by the chanting of Sai Gayatri, creating an atmosphere of devotion and reverence. After the bhajans, prashadam was distributed among the approximately 75 people who participated in this blessed occasion.
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Furthermore, as part of their community service project in April, volunteers from Wimbledon Sai Centre prepared 20 food parcels for distribution at a Sutton homeless shelter. Each packed parcel included a fruit, a drink, and a packet of crisps alongside the cooked meal. These were handed over to Sutton Night Watch, a charity that ensured they reached those in need.
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On 5th May, Wimbledon Sai Centre celebrated Easwaramma Day with devotional bhajans and prayers, followed by a play by the Bal Vikas children titled, “God is within us all.” The event was attended by 200 devotees.
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Region 2 (London North West and nearby Home Counties)
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Region 2 marked the planting of (at the time) nearly 10,000 trees in the UK as part of the Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu initiative on Monday 15th April with a special satsang entitled ‘From Dust to Divinity’. This first instalment in a two-part online series revealed and revered the deeper spiritual gracefulness of this global tree-planting initiative. This is our birthday gift to the Lord to mark 100 years of His Avatarhood. You can join us as we continue this delightful journey on Monday 20th May. Starting with a brief recap of Part 1, we will go deeper into more critical themes during Part 2: Reforesting Love. See the above flyer for details and contact your Centre President for the Zoom meeting link.
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Greenford Sai Centre have started a bi-monthly food bank donation drive and, during the month of March, devotees were able to contribute a very humbling 90kg of food and toiletries. These items were donated to Greenwood Client Centre, based at Greenford Baptist Church. This food bank is run by the Trussell Trust.
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Over 40 devotees from Slough Sai Centre attended home bhajans organised at Brother Ganesan Sivaramakrishnan’s house on Saturday 20th April. The bhajans gave positive vibrations and a number of devotees came forward to be a part of the event. It was such a blissful evening and devotees were also able to stay over for the delicious prashad which was made with love.
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On 21st April, 26 devotees from Region 2 once again came together to take part in Prema Tharu sadhana. We were also joined by volunteers from local organisations and members of the public. Region 2 devotees contributed to the planting of 450 tree whips, taking the Regional total to approximately 650 so far this year.
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Harrow West Sai Centre observed Sri Sathya Sai Aradhana Mahotsavam on 28th April. The programme started with Vedam chanting, devotees performing Pada Pooja during Ashtottra Namavali chanting, mesmerising bhajans and a wonderful talk by Brother Sudhir Shetty inspiring each one to realise "Swami's presence in our own presence." After concluding the programme with Swami's aarti, the Bal Vikas children read the "thought for the day," which was followed by scrumptious Maha Prashadam. Over 135 devotees came together to offer their heartfelt gratitude and love to our beloved Bhagawan.
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Southall Sai Centre’s monthly food bank collection for March resulted in 45kg of items being donated to their local Asda’s food bank collection point (supporting Hounslow FoodBox).
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Harrow East Sai Centre’s monthly food bank collection for March resulted in 59kg of items donated to the Trussell Trust food bank in Barnet.
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Region 3 (London North, East & Central and nearby Home Counties)
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Chelmsford Sai Centre celebrated Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti and Tamil New Year as a home bhajan hosted by Brother Rajesh and family at The Old Chelmsfordians Association on 14th April. Around 25 devotees attended. We sang Ram bhajans and concluded with the aarti which created such blissful and uplifting atmosphere.
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On Sunday 28th April, Mill Hill Sai Centre celebrated Aradhana Day to express our love and gratitude for the grace, guidance, and blessings we receive from Swami. Around 130 people joined us for the morning programme. We commenced the day with Ganapati Prarthana, followed by Sankalpam and Kumbha Sthapana Pooja. This was then followed by a Homam consisting of Ganapati Pooja, Ganesha Moola Mantra, Sri Rudram (Namakam), Gayatri Mantra and Sai Gayatri Mantra, and Poornahuti. We concluded with Abhishekam, 108 Ashtotram and bhajans.
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Bedford Sai Centre celebrated Sai Remembrance Day with prayers and bhajans. This was attended by 18 devotees.
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Devotees from Hatfield Sai Centre came together at Friendship House, Hatfield on Saturday 27th April, offering love, reverence and gratitude to our dear Bhagawan Baba in a vibrant atmosphere of devotional songs and prayers for Aradhana Mahotsavam. Around 40 devotees attended, and Dr Arul Srinivasan, Region 3 President, gave profound insights into the importance of human values at the individual level to realise our true purpose of life: most importantly, to fulfil our goal of experiencing the oneness of all beings. In line with the theme of 'reflection,' there followed an inspiring and informative discussion on dealing with everyday challenges and seeking practical spiritual solutions to enhance our journey, being mindful of our collective wellbeing. On this occasion, we managed to organise a Food Bank collection of food items and handed them over to Manna food bank.
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Eid al Fitr was celebrated on Sunday 7th April by Leicester Central Sai Centre. We had lovely bhajans and qawalis, followed by a presentation and quiz on Eid by one of our Bal Vikas students. Dates were served as prashadam.
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Vaisakhi was celebrated on Sunday 14th April by Leicester Central Sai Centre, with special bhajans and an inspiring talk by our special guest Charanjeet Singh Ji. His talk included the significance of Vaisakhi: the day acquired historic and spiritual significance in 1699 when, on this day, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, established the Khalsa Panth – the collective name given to Sikhs who have been baptised. It is also time for expressing gratitude, seeking blessings, and rejoicing in the spirit of togetherness and prosperity. The festival symbolises the values of community, gratitude, and the joy of abundance.
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Leicester Central Sai Centre celebrated Ram Navami on Sunday 21st April and began with 108 names of Swami, followed by Ram bhajans. Penda was served as prashadam at the end of the programme.
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Home bhajans have been organised by Leicester Central Sai Centre for many years now. Devotees look forward to the start date, and most of the slots generally get filled up within a few days. This gives devotees an opportunity to invite & welcome their ‘Sai Family’ as well as neighbours & friends to their homes for bhajans. This year, as part of the ‘1008 House and Community Bhajans’ centenary offering, we started our weekly home bhajans from Sunday 7th April. We will continue until Akhanda bhajans in November.
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The Leicester Sai Centres Aradhana Mahotsavam programme, held on Wednesday 24th April, was a special evening of bhajans and a musical offering by our Young Adults. All devotees had the opportunity to offer a flower to Bhagawan’s samadhi picture before the programme. Devotees left the programme with divine vibrations from the evening.
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A Bal Vikas & Youth Jam was held by the Leicester Sai Centres on Friday 29th March. Here are some thoughts from some of the children who attended:
Bal Vikas-Youth Jams are a great way for us to learn, improve our knowledge on bhajans/instruments and build up our confidence. The next step after Bal Vikas is being a Young Adult, so it’s important we do more joint activities to bridge the gap between us. The 3rd successful Bal Vikas-Youth Jam was held on Good Friday, and we look forward to our next one where we will continue to learn and improve our musical selves. (Lakshmi Gokani, 13)
The Youth jam was absolutely amazing. It was a great opportunity for me and other children to sing and play an instrument. I felt that the jam was relaxing and fun and a great way to stay connected to God. It is definitely an experience I will be looking forward to in the future. (Sai-Krishna Thakrar, 13)
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Narborough Sai Centre celebrated Hanuman Jayanti, Mahavir Jayanti and Eid on 18th April with our diverse and inclusive community. Three brilliant Bal Vikas (SSE) children delivered messages on each of these festivals. On Hanuman Jayanti, we reflected on the courage, devotion, and strength of Lord Hanuman, engaging in prayers and devotional singing of the Hanuman Chalisa to seek His blessings. During Mahavir Jayanti, we honour Lord Mahavir's teachings of non-violence, compassion, and truth in our multifaith prayers. Eid, a festival of joy and gratitude, reminds us to cherish the bonds of family and community, emphasising charity and kindness. We ended the programme with qawalis.
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On 21st April, 11 volunteers from Narborough Sai Centre planted 300 trees at Haygates Farm, Market Harborough. We were blessed with beautiful weather on the day and were very fortunate to do a bhajan session as part of community bhajans, followed by a lovely picnic. We ended by paying a visit to the farm animals.
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Narborough Sai Centre celebrated Vaisakhi and Ram Navami on 11th April, fostering harmony, unity and spiritual growth. We were privileged to have an esteemed speaker from the local Gurdwara; in his talk, he reflected on the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh and the significance of Vaisakhi. Their team charged the atmosphere with their lovely singing of Shabads. It was a beautiful day of togetherness, celebrating the spirit of seva (service) and inclusivity that embodies the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Ram Navami was celebrated with beautiful Rama bhajans marking the auspicious day of birth of Lord Rama, whose life and teachings inspire us to uphold the values of righteousness, duty, and virtue.
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On Tuesday 16th April, Nottingham Sai Group celebrated Ram Navami with 23 devotees in attendance. The programme started with opening prayers and reciting of the Ram Stuti and Hanuman Chalisa, followed by 16 bhajans sung with love and devotion. After aarti and the food prayer, the congregation were served the prashadam lovingly prepared by the sisters in the group.
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On Sunday 21st April, 62 hot meals were lovingly prepared, cooked and packed by volunteers from Nottingham Sai Group at their own homes, then taken to the centre of Nottingham and distributed to the homeless/vulnerable people.
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To mark Maha Samadhi day, Birmingham Sai Centre distributed 210 boxes of cereal to the Sikh Soup kitchen for the homeless in Birmingham.
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Region 5 (North England and Northern Ireland)
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Around 200 devotees from various Sai Centres and Groups in Region 5 came together to celebrate Swami’s Aradhana Mahotsavam in Leeds on Sunday 21st April. The theme for the event was Faith in Humanity through Divinity.
The programme began with Bhajans and the chanting of the Sathya Sai Ashtothram with rice Archana being performed to Swami’s Paduka. A total of 30 Bal Vikas children from the Leeds and Halifax Sai Centres presented beautiful skits based on Faith, which left the audience thoroughly impressed with the quality of the content and the execution by all the children. This was followed by an in-depth discussion called “InSAIghts,” wherein devotees representing different wings and walks of life explored the topic of Faith and how it applied to them through the sharing of their experiences and connection with Swami. The discussion was interactive, with everyone getting a chance to be involved through questions and the use of a Menti word cloud on screen to capture key points throughout the discussion.
The Young Adults and musicians from the Region then presented a soulful rendition of bhajans sung with Alap named “River of Love – Har Praani Mein Sai.” The whole gathering immersed themselves into this blissful musical offering and were transported to Prasanthi listening to the unplugged versions of popular bhajans. This was followed by a talk from Bro. Malcolm Thorogood who travelled specially for this event from the Lake District. He captivated the audience with his stories and experiences of realising Swami’s divinity. Everyone felt refreshed and energised to listen to his simple yet profound experiences with Swami.
The event then came to a close with the singing of bhajans and aarti being offered to Bhagawan. Prashadam was served afterwards and everyone went back with the feeling of pure joy and bliss in having come together and celebrated Swami’s Aradhana Mahotsavam in such a simple yet grand way.
You can watch a recording of the event on our regional YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/aOauI4SRtHM
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Region 6 (South & South East England)
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The Region 6 Office Bearers and Active Workers Conference was organised at Maidstone, Kent. Altogether, 45 devotees attended from all Centres and Groups in the Region. The programme was conducted with prayers to Swami then presentations from each wing on recent achievements and planning for upcoming projects and goals. The event concluded with bhajans, aarti and prashadam.
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Special Ram Navami bhajans were held at Sister Sushma’s house on 17th April by Farnborough Sai Centre. A total of 35 devotees attended. The programme commenced with Rudram then Rama bhajans and aarti, followed by Maha Prashadam.
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Sai Aradhana bhajans were held by Farnborough Sai Centre at Sister Mamta’s house on 24th April. Overall, 30 devotees attended. The programme started with Rudram chanting, special Sai bhajans, followed by aarti. Maha prashadam was served after the bhajan.
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On 26th April, monthly food bank service was conducted by Farnborough Sai Centre. A total of 50kg food and dry goods were donated to the local Trussell Trust food bank. 2 devotees from the Centre helped to carry the goods to the donation point.
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Special home bhajans were hosted by brother Mohit and sister Monika on 20th April by Tunbridge Wells Sai Group. The event started with Vedam and shlokas on Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman for the occasion of Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti. Around 35 devotees attended the bhajans. The event was concluded with Swami’s aarti and Maha Prashadam.
Tunbridge Wells Sai Group donated 68kg of food to the FEAST (Families Eating and Sharing Together) Community Larder in Kent.
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Region 7 (West & South West England and Wales)
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Region 7 continues to hold weekly study circle sessions on the topics of Dharma Vahini and the 9 Paths of Devotion. As a Young Adults initiative, chapters are assigned each week to attendees, to undertake the sadhana of reading and reflecting upon our beloved Swami’s teachings. At the Thursday sessions, the Young Adults facilitate discussions, manage IT and challenge the attendees with thought-provoking questions on how we apply Swami’s teachings to our everyday life.
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In Swindon city centre, 51 people were served rice and lentil stew by Swindon Sai Group, as part of the general monthly seva.
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Devotees from Region 7 gathered in Bath, Swindon and Royal Wootton Basset for home bhajans on 11th and 25th April for a wonderful session of togetherness and melodious bhajans
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A total of 65kg of food and toiletries were donated to Open Door Cheltenham in April.
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Region 7 Office Bearers and Active Workers held their conference on 28th April in Cheltenham. It was a meaningful gathering, where members discussed organisational matters, shared regional updates, and engaged in devotional singing of bhajans. Video tape recycling seva was also conducted where parts of cassette tapes were dismantled and separated to be reused. The meeting provided a platform for discussing key highlights and planning future initiatives while fostering a sense of unity and spiritual connection among attendees. The event concluded with the sharing of prashadam. It was an enriching experience that inspired devotees to continue their efforts in serving our community with love and compassion.
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Aberdeen Sai Centre celebrated Aradhana day on 24th April at Aunty Yoga’s house. Bhajans started at 7pm and finished by 9pm and there was food served as prashadam after this. Around 25 people attended. Aayan, a Bal Vikas student, also spoke on the significance of Aradhana day.
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Edinburgh Sai Centre celebrated Ram Navami with bhajans on 17th April, followed by prashadam. This was attended by 20-25 people.
Edinburgh Sai Centre also celebrated Aradhana day with bhajans on 24th April from 6.45pm to 8pm. Around 15-20 people attended the bhajans followed by aarti and prashadam.
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Glasgow Sai Centre celebrated Ram Navami on 17th April; 34 people attended.
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Glasgow Sai Centre celebrated Aradhana day on 24th April at Aunty Sharma’s house in Bearsden. 30 people attended the bhajans.
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In order to keep all UK devotees updated in one place and reduce the duplication of messages, we have launched a BRAND NEW Organisation WhatsApp Channel for everyone to join.
This will be the main place to receive all National communications.
The channel sits in the “Updates” section of WhatsApp in the bottom left corner.
Please share this with all devotees across the UK, and do not forget to switch the notifications on with the bell icon in the top right corner.
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