The turbulent rivers, the mystic blue hills, the savage terrains and serene countryside beckon the adventures. Come and conquer it. This is Assam - the real retreat. Traverse the incredible terrain from Karbi Anglong to North Cachar Hills. Spend a quiet ten days on the river bank of the mighty Brahmaputra or in a green tea garden bunglow. Enjoy the serene beauty of the forest or if you are a true adventurer, follow the trail of 'the Tiger' in Manas. Take the challenge of the Brahmaputra, one of the four largest rivers in the world and raft down the mystic river from Ninging to Dhubri by raft. Wild Assam activates you to enjoy these all high spirited activities right from rafting to jungle safari. The bird mystery of Jatinga is no less than these.
The mighty river Brahmaputra is the main attraction as most of the water-based activities are organized on this river. Boat racing is a very popular sport of the State. People very often organize boat-race during festive occasions at places like Hajo, Sualkuchi, Barpeta, Guwahati, etc.

The participation of the masses in this sport can compared with the snake-boat race of Kerala. Besides Brahmaputra, the other places for boating are Dighalipukhuri of Guwahati, Chandubi Lake and Umrangsu Lake of Karbi Anglong.

THE COMING OF SRI SATHYA SAI
The coming of an Avatar is a great historical event. To be associated even in a humble manner in any activity launched by the Avatar for the good of humanity is a rare experience of Divine Grace.

What is required of us is a total effort to convert the Sai Mission into reality and that serves as great opportunity for rededication and for intensive spiritual Sadhana on the lines desired by our most Loving Bhagavan.
These are the days of stress & storm, trails & tribulations, suspicion and gloom. Humanity today faces the highest test in its long and eventful history. The advent of Sri Sathya Sai in the World today is a rare hope shooting through the gloom - a hope like the 'Bethleham Star of two thousand years ago and the enlightenment of the Buddha in the 6th century B.C.'

In the Treta Yuga, Sri Rama came as the very embodiment of Sathya (Truth) and Dharma (Righteousness). In the Dwapara Yuga, the Lord Incarnated as Sri Krishna, the embodiment of Shanti (Peace) and Prema (Love). Today, in the Kaliyuga, Sri Sathya Sai Baba has come to show the path of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti and Prema and also Ahimsa and has set the examples as a human being.

Herein I humbly mention that I had the good fortune to read a book 'Bhakti-Ratnakar' of Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardeva (1949-1569 AD) the great saint, the great reformer, the great preceptor and Vaishnavite Guru of Assam. Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan said, "Sri Sankardeva of Assam was an apostle of Vaishnavism who taught the worship of Sri Krishna, who simplified the faith, discouraged caste distinctions and promoted brotherhood." Going through the predictions in the book (Bhakti Ratnakar) my belief and imagination that Sri Sathya Sai Baba is an Avatar have further been strengthened. The said book was composed from the original 'Bhagavatam' in Sanskrit and the connected verses in Assamese run as follows :
"Sathya-Tretaa-Dwaaparar Yataprajaachaya,
Janma dharibaaka laagi Kalita baanchaya.
Dhyana-Yajna puja eko kalita nakari,
Huya Ek-sarana kirtan mukhe kari.
Eteke taribo sukhe sansaara-saagar,
Nichaya kalita howe Narayana-para.
Kisu kisu haibo bhakta anyatra thaanata,
Bistar Vaisnaba haibo Draavida Deshata."
(All the people born in Sathya - Tretaa and Dwaapara Yuga desired to be born in Kali Yuga again. There was no need to do Dhyana, Yajna and puja in the age of Kali Yuga as people would get Mokhya (liberation) only through Kirtana or Nama-Smarana and thus happily cross over the sea of birth and death i.e. Bhaba-Saagara. Some devotees would be there scattered in other places, but mostly such devotees would be found in Dravida area.)
The above noted lines are from the chapter, "Sacred Dharma of Kali Yuga" of the said book. Below are some other lines written in a poetic style as above by Sri Sankardeva translating them from original Bhagabatam. The geographical description found therein suggests that Sri Sathya Sai Baba taking birth in Andhra Pradesh in South India would spread message of Divine Love throughout the world. The Dravida area means and connotes the area of South India. These lines are as follows :
'Taamraparni, kaaveri, Pratichi, Payaswini,
Kritamaalaa Mahaanadi bahe vinni vinni.
Ehichaykhan nadi thaake ji thaanat,
Kare jal paan taar prajagana jata.
Samasta bhkata haibo nirmala-hirdaya,
Kariba kritan sadaa Krishna-gunachaya."
(The six rivers viz. Taamraparni, Kaveri Pratichi, Payaswini, Kritamaalaa, mahaanadi flow through such areas, the people living in these areas drink the sacred waters of the these rivers and become sacred by themselves. They would always do Kirtana and Bhajana glorifying the life and activities of Lord Krishna). The river Taamraparni originating from Agastamal hill flows through Tirunelvelly; the river Kaaveri flows through Karnataka and Tamilnadu to merge in the Bay of Bengal. The river Payaswini of Thiruvananthapuram (earlier known as Trivancore) of Kerala which was known as the destroyer of sins, the river Kritamaalaa flows near Madurai where the Matsya Avatar is reported to have attained Avatarhood. The river Mahaanadi flowing through Orissa to merge with the Bay of Bengal and the river Pratichi flowing through Maharastra has sanctified the lands of South India, and the advent of our Lord Sathya Sai is in South India. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba was born in the Madras Presidency now a part of Andhra Pradesh. As such we firmly believe that the spiritual rejuvenation as mentioned in the above verses has become possible only with the Advent of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

It is now a historical fact. People from all over the world are coming to Prasanthi Nilayam to see the Lord in action and to seek Divine Grace to achieve the goal of human birth.
Achyut Prasad Sarma
Email : nikeetaa_aveek@hotmail.com


MEGA SADHANA SIBIR (CAMP) AT GUWAHATI
"Be steady in Sadhana and never hesitate once you have decided on it. When the bus is moving on, the dust will be floating behind as a cloud; it is only when it stops with a jerk that the dust will envelop the faces of the passengers. So keep moving, keep steadily engaged in Sadhana. Then the cloudy dust of the objective world will not cover your face."
- BABA


To create greater awareness of the Divine Mission of Bhagavan Baba a mega Sadhana camp attended by the local people besides Sai devotees was held on the 11th May'08 at Pandunath Devalaya, Pandu under the aegis of Sri Sathya Sai Samithi of Guwahati.

The camp started with the lighting of lamp by Sri Dwarik Sharma, Convener, Sri Sathya Sai Trust, Assam & NER and his introductory speech.

The first speaker was Dr. Mukta Biswas, Reader Department of Sanskrit of Gauhati University on the subject : "God protects those who protect Sathya and Dharma"

The second speaker was Sri Hemendra Malla Buzar Baruah, an educationist on the subject : "Adoration and Love of God" The third speaker Sri Kalyan Kumar Talukdar, Editor of Sanathana Sarathi Assamese, delivered his talk on "Expansion is life and contraction is death".

The fourth speaker Prof. Santwana Baruah, Retd. Vice Principal of South Kamrup College, Mirza and State Co-ordinator of SSSO, (Education), Assam highlighted on the subject : "The role of Youth in Bhagavan's Mission"


Delivering the valedictory speech the State President of Sri Sathya Sai Organisation of Assam explained various aspects of Kali Yuga Avatar Sri Sathya Sai Baba's Mission and His sankalpa for dharmasthapana.

Since it was held in a Devalaya on the Nilachal hill (Kamakhya hill) all those present were served with Prasadam.


EASWARAMMA DAY CELEBRATION AT GUWAHATI & SILCHAR
GUWAHATI :
Amidst much cheer and enthusiasm Easwarmma day was celebrated at Guwahati with a colourful programme at the Kumar Bhaskar Natya Mandir to attract attention of children and parents who have not yet joined the Bal Vikas classes and who are not familiar with the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and His Mission. Started with Veda Chanting by a student of Sri Sathya Sai Primary School, Prasanthi Nilayam the cultural function included offering of ovation to audience, chorus by a group of students, speech making, recitation and dance items based on cultural ethos and devotional background of Assam. All the items were presented by Bal Vikas students drawn from different units of Sri Sathya Sai Samithi of Guwahati City. The function came to a close with Arati offered to Bhagavan.

SILCHAR :
Easwaramma Day was also celebrated at Silchar Sai Centre premises (locally known as Sai Mandir) in the heart of the district Head Quarter town in Barak Valley with a monthlong programme and finally on 31st May'08 the Bal Vikas Children presented an attractive cultural programme and Bhajans led by the children. The hourlong lively dances set to delightful music kept the audience spellbound. The programme ended with a Sarva Dharma Sai Bhajan.

Health Camp at Rani:
Sai Baba always inspired and directed to take Narayana Seva to the people. He says "Do not wait for an opportunity to serve : go out and grab the opportunity which is already available".
Based on the above dictum, the Guwahati Sai Samithi in collaboration with Uparhali-Sarpara Samithi successfully completed the Annual Free Medical Camp on 27th May 2008 at Mairapur Middle English School at Rani, a predominantly tribal inhabited area. In this camp 704 nos. of economically challenged patients were treated by the doctors mainly drawn from Guwahati Medical College and medicines also distributed to them free. Altogether 50 nos. of doctors of different departments like Medicine, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Surgery, Dental, Gynecology, Dermatology, ENT and Ophthalmology rendered free treatment to the patients where the pharmacists and sevadal workers extended their full co-operation in order to make the program a grand success. Prior to the holding of the camp publicity about the event was conducted through News Papers, word of mouth, posters and pamphlets so that local people can take the maximum benefit.

A UNIQUE SELF-HELP PROJECT
In pursuance of the Village Integrated Program of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation (Assam), the Guwahati Samithi in collaboration with the Uparhali-Sarpara Samithi of Kamrup District launched a noble service project to provide Low Cost Latrines to villagers living below poverty line. Accordingly three villages were identified for undertaking the V.I.P. To start with 41 families were selected and work commenced on the 15th January, 2008 the Holy Makarsankrianti Day. To be undertaken in a phased manner with the objective of improving the over-all sanitary conditions of the village - the first phase covering the initial beneficiaries is expected to be completed in three months.

The hall-mark of the laudable enterprise is that local Sai Workers actively assisted by the villagers themselves are installing the latrines/ equipments which were supplied by a Government Service agency directly to the villagers. People of the area appreciated the spirit of self-help of all those involved in the project.

Amongst other schemes of assistance, each family will be provided with a Water-Filter to ensure regular supply of safe and pure drinking water so that poor villagers will be saved from the scourge of water-borne diseases. This scheme is to implemented in the near future.

LAKHIMPUR :
The devotees and also the local people of Lakhimpur Town gathered in a public meeting at the premises of Sri Sathya Sai Adarsa Primary School to inaugurate the newly constructed arch at the entrance of the school. In the meeting presided over by Dr. Loknath Sarma, District Education Officer besides others MLA Sri Bhupen Bora from Bihpuria constituency also attended. The president of the meeting Dr. Sarma formally inaugurated the arch. Sri B. N. Sarma Barua the founder president of the school gave an account on the establishment of the school and mentioned about Late Khagen Gohain Baruah of Tinsukia who donated the land for the school.

The gate has been offered by the Teacher of the school Smt. Anju Bharali in memory of her late husband Nilamani Konwar. The President and the whole audience appreciated the offering of Smt. Bharali.

Diphu:
The peace-loving and open-hearted Karbi people inhabiting the strife torn Karbi Anglong Hill District of Assam received a boost in their spiritual quest when Sathyam Sivam Sundaram translated into Karbi language by Sahitya Academy Awardee Sri Bidar Sing Kro was released recently at a well attended function at Diphu. Shri Pradyut Bordoloi,Industries and Power Minister, Assam formally released the book. The Minister, himself an ex-Bal Vikas student, in his speech, deliberated on how Bhagawan's life has inspired him to serve the people with dedication.. He urged the Karbi tribals to follow the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

The meeting was presided over by Shri A.P. Sarma, State President Assam and was attended by a host of dignitaries from the Karbi Community including Sri Bidyasing Engleng, Parliamentary Secretary, Assam. Sri Mongolsing Engti Chief Executive Member, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council urged that the book should be part of curriculum in all the 26 Karbi Medium L.P. Schools of the District. A.P. Sarma, State President, thanked Smti. Kuntila Ranghangpi, Executive Member, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council for her noble endeavour in publishing the book and thus opening a new window for the Karbis.

Tinsukia::
To ease the problems of travelling public particularly from heat and sun shine and from continuous rain during rainy season the Tinsukia Samithi of Sri Sathya Sai Organaisation as a part of service activity has constructed two waiting sheds at 'Gobindapur' and 'Lunpuria' by the side of National Highway-37
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