HomeSai Ram!
We are pleased to inform you that the Report on the 8th World Conference of the International Sri Sathya Sai Organizations will be presented to you as a trilogy:
- The Proceedings of the 8th World Conference of International Sri Sathya Sai Organizations
- II Addendum to the Proceedings -- Questions and Answers.
- III Outcome of the 8th World Conference of International Sri Sathya Sai.Organizations -- Recommendations, Resolutions, and Revisions.
The three parts will be available as publications soon. However, we are presenting the first book of the Trilogy, the "Proceedings" as a pdf file. Also, photographs of the World Conference are available. The remaining books: the Addendum -Questions and Answers, and the Outcome- Recommendations, Resolutions, and Revisions, will be available in due course.
The Proceedings begin with Dr. Narendra Reddy's wonderful translated summary of Bhagavan's discourses during the 80th Birthday functions. Swami, Himself, praised this presentation of His Words. Following Swami's Words, the various talks given during the course of the conference are presented, and finally some of the questions that were answered spontaneously during the course of the Conference.
The Addendum contains a list of the questions submitted in writing by many of you and the answers. If any of you have additional questions or comments regarding the topics addressed in the 8th World Conference and the International Sri Sathya Sai Organization we are happy to receive them and to respond when appropriate. Please send these questions/comments to Mr. Vijay Desai at vijaydesai918@aol.com.
The Outcome will make clear distinctions between recommendations and resolutions (recommendatory and mandatory). In addition, the charter, rules, and regulations of the International Sri Sathya Sai Organization are being reviewed and will certainly be revised. This has been under consideration for some time and many of the office bearers have submitted their views. There have been many excellent suggestions. Subsequent to our review, the revisions will be drafted and placed before Bhagavan Baba for His Guidance, Approval, and Blessings. There can be no revision of the rules, regulations and charter of the International Sri Sathya Sai Organization without Bhagavan Baba's Approval.
Recently you received an announcement regarding the establishment of the Sri Sathya Sai World Foundation. One very important responsibility of the Foundation that was not among those enumerated in the letter is the function of serving as the liaison with international organizations such as the United Nations. There will be a number of permanent committees established by the Foundation which will be entrusted with the responsibilities that were described in the announcement. The Chairmen of each of these committees will be appointed by the Foundation subsequent to Bhagavan Baba's Approval.
The Chairman of the Education Committee has been appointed. He is Mr. Kalyan Ray, Senior Adviser, Office of the Executive Director, UN-HABITAT who is largely responsible for the Sathya Sai Education in Human Values Principles being accepted and applied in the context of water conservation by a number of countries in Africa and Southeast Asia. The Sai Values Education projects, their growth, and the extension of the principles of Educare into the public education in these countries attests to the loving care and competence applied by Mr. Kalyan Ray to this work. Additional committees, including Publications, Cultural Events, Healthcare and others are being formed and will be announced soon.
Dear brothers and sisters, Swami is giving impetus to our efforts to refine and develop our Organizational Programs. Let us transcend our worldly designs and desires. Let us brace ourselves with faith and embrace the spiritual principles given to us by our magnanimous Lord. Let our thoughts, words, and deeds be consistent and reflect our conscience. Let love prevail in everything, everywhere, always!
Lovingly, in the service of Sai
Michael Goldstein
Chairman, Sri Sathya Sai World Foundation and Prasanthi Council