A Model Worth Replication! "I am running short of words after seeing the 23 children who have been given rebirth on the occasion of Sri Sathya Sai Baba's 96th Birthday Celebrations. I could see in the eyes of the parents, a kind of happiness and bliss, which stirs my heart. These families, who are below the poverty line, could not have afforded this kind of access to good health care, since it could cost lakhs of rupees in corporate hospitals. As a Health Minister, I know that Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai has accomplished what the Government has not been able to accomplish. The art of giving, empathy and sympathy are great virtues, and these are the values one can learn after visiting this Institution.

The Government spends more than 10,000 crores on healthcare budget every year - medical education and healthcare put together-but are we really satisfying the patient/ beneficiary? We still hear a lot of complaints, inspite of treating them free of cost-still there are some lapses and shortcomings. How can the Government systems, how can the healthcare departments ensure to be completely fool proof, in the way the Sai Mission does, the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani does? Why aren't the Government health institutions able to render holistic care like that of the Sri Sathya Sai Healthcare Institutions? In my opinion, the Government needs to replicate Sai's Model and I really do not have any hesitation in saying this!"

The Miracle of Divinity on Humanity "I consider it a privilege and in fact a fortunate destiny to be present here today on the day of Holy Christmas to witness this act of mercy, where 32 children have been bestowed the 'Gift of Life.' To all these children who received the Gift of Life certificates, I wish good health and longevity. I also would like to congratulate the team consisting of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, perfusionists, etc., from the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Child Heart Centres, who have worked against all odds, all limitations and brought out such beautiful positive results. Some of these cyanotic children are very challenging medically and it is not easy to perform successful surgeries on them.

All credit goes to Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai for being the motivation behind such a hard working team. This is my very first visit to Sathya Sai Grama, and before coming here, I did read a lot about Sadguru's service initiatives that is spanning across the sectors of education, health and nutrition in India and globally. Some of Sadguru's programmes are similar to one of the projects, 'Poshak Abhiyan' that I am working with, to improve the health of expecting mothers, lactating mothers and children, by supporting their nutritional needs and preventing anaemia in them. The Research and Development (R&D) nutritional product of SaiSure that is being manufactured here is something I would be interested to know more about. The One-Meal-A-Day Programme that feeds 500,000 children nutritious breakfast every single morning with the help of 600 volunteers, really caught my attention-what a thoughtful way to improve the health of children on a consistent basis!

I had the opportunity to visit Sri Sathya Sai Sarla Memorial Hospital. The state-of-the-art equipment and arrangements of the Hospital is so well-planned, well-thought of-the entire infrastructure which this Hospital is providing is just out of the world and this really amazes me! There are many children in the Telugu States suffering from cardiac ailments and I request these kinds of free cardiac treatments for poor children to be extended to these States too, and in this regard we shall extend whatever support is needed.

On the side of education, I would say that this Institution does a tremendous job. The children studying in these institutions are the luckiest ones, for they are being brought up in such a pious environment by beautiful and noble minds that are teaching them love, service, sharing and togetherness. To me, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai is indeed a rare combination of Divinity and Humanity!"

"I am able to foresee the future of India in this very Institution. 'Love All Serve All' is the torch light of this Institution and this is guiding every step of this Institution. The Sri Sathya Sai Award for Human Excellence encourages men, women and youth from all fortes of society by appreciating their selfless service to society. The theme of the Awards 2021 - 'Celebrating the COVID Warriors of India' recognised people from different fields of society, who have worked amidst the cruelties of the COVID pandemic to help others in need. Our Honourable Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi has also recognised and felicitated such COVID warriors. This University, under the guidance of Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai and his teachings of sarve bhavantu sukhina? sarve santu niramaya?, is doing commendable work in the field of education, by offering the gift of education completely free of cost. To sacrifice everything and work for the welfare of others and also encourage others to tread this path, is our prime duty, and we should derive inspiration from this Institution."

(Excerpt from the speech during the event of Sri Sathya Sai
Award for Human Excellence 2021)

"I express my gratitude to Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai for his exemplary work in the field of education, health, and nutrition. I thank the Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka, Sri Thawar Chand Gehlot to acknowledge and support the noble work done in every field of social relevance to improve the lives of the less fortunate. I feel very honoured to accept the 'Change Champion Award' that has been conferred upon me. This further enthuses my team and me to remain committed in our path. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only created a global healthcare crisis but also a humanitarian crisis, so it is very inspiring to see the impact of the incredible work done by the COVID Warriors who were honoured today. It is my absolute privilege to be part of this prestigious event that celebrates human excellence and spirit of service and thank Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence for organising these awards and carrying forward the mission of service to all of mankind."

(Excerpt from the speech during the event of Sri Sathya Sai
Award for Human Excellence 2021)

"I am very glad that the Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence has introduced a very important aspect of education in their curriculum, which is in concurrence with the New Education Policy 2020 that includes knowledge, science, Indian culture, and values in its content. This University will train many students who can show the right path to the world and will raise our Country back to its pristine glory of being the 'Vishva Guru.' It will elevate to the heights of functioning like the ancient Indian Universities of Nalanda and Takshashila, which carried global acclamation. It is already doing a great job and will only prosper and flourish in the years to come."

"Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust is providing free nutritious breakfast every morning to children at Government Schools in Karnataka. The Trust has extended this yeoman service to other Indian States as well. This programme complements the Midday Meal Scheme of the Government of Karnataka and I am looking forward to seeing this benevolent act of service expanded to all the children of the State of Karnataka."

"I am pleased to know that an attempt has been made by Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust to improve undernourishment in children, through SaiSure Multi-Nutrient Supplement, which is provided along with milk – Ksheera Bhagya Programme at Government Schools. The composition of SaiSure for children has the right amount of nutrients as per the standard Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). This has been developed scientifically and has the medically prescribed amounts of daily calories, protein, vitamins, iron, calcium and trace elements of iodine, zinc, copper and selenium. This will definitely improve the daily nutrient value of children, especially the vulnerable group, who are prone to nutritional deficiencies."

"The way the Annapoorna Programme started and the way it has progressed in the last few years is something amazing to note. Clearly, this programme is benefitting school-going children in a big way and hence participation from the larger community across all levels of society, will be of extreme importance to take this initiative to greater heights for spreading more generosity and well-being."

"When I visited the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals in Naya Raipur and Palwal, I saw hope in the eyes of the parents. Now with this Centre coming to Navi Mumbai, it should be our collective decision to open more such Institutions across the country"