News Update from Dharmakshetra

January 2012

Chembur Samithi

Chembur Samithi have been doing night Seva at Dharmakshetra without even one day of lapse. They have celebrated the “ Pongal “ festival on 15th January with colourful presentation of a cultural Programme and Bhajans followed by “ Sweet Pongal” prasadam.

On 28th January Chembur Samthi will be having a night stay at Dharmakshetra and the progamme for 28th and 29th is as under :-

On the night of 28th Jan they would be having a Sadhana Camp. There will be a bonfire, videos on Swami, experiences sharing by the ex-students and Senior Samithi members, group songs which will be sung by students in front of Swami. In the end, they will all write down the qualities they would like to give up in a piece of paper and burn the same in the bonfire. About 35 members are expected to participate.

On 29th. the group which will be staying overnight will participate in Omkar, Suprabhatam and Nagarsankirthan. In this and thereafter , they expect to be joined by other members of Chembur Samithi in the morning for Shramdhan.

They have also organised a Balvikas picnic on 29th January 2012. This will be attended by BV children's parents. They have planned to have spiritual games for both children and Parents. There will also be a presentation to the Parents by their BV gurus. On the 29th, number of members expected to participate should be anywhere between 150 to 200.

“ February ” is allocated to Bandra Samithi

"Donate Blood, Save a Life"

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization, Maharashtra - Mumbai, Zone 3 - Sion Wadala Samithi held a special Blood Donation Drive at S.I.E.S High School - Matunga on 26th January, 2012.

The Blood Donation Drive was collectively organised on a macro level throughout Maharahstra state of which Sion-Wadala was also on active mode.

What's better way to celebrate India's Republic Day...but to follow the kind teachings of Bhagawan Baba and contribute towards saving lives...

LTMG Sion Hospital thanked all the volunteers for their generous efforts towards getting 105 donor foot falls and 70 blood bags.

The drive started at 9am with the vibrant echo of Omkaram and concluded at 3pm with Mangala Arti where Volunteers served refreshments throughout the event.

Hundreds of citizens attended this drive and were honored for their donations, in the form of service and also blood donors.

It was a great opportunity for Sion-Wadala Samithi to interact with the local citizens and share the teachings of Bhagawan Baba... "Love All... Serve All, Help Ever... Hurt Never"

Lets pray Bhagawan Baba bless all members with strength to serve community always...


*** Please find attached the pics

Greetings

Sabish Parameswaran - Posted on 27.01.2012

See more pictures of Blood Donation Drive by Zone 1 of Sri Sathya Sai Deva Organisation, Mumbai

Blood Donation Drive in Mumbai & other places in Maharashtra & Goa

Article shared by Pramod Divgi from Goa

Please also click on this link: Myths and Facts about Donating Blood

Health benefits of donating blood

Blood Donation Is Good

Reduce the chance of heart diseases

It has been observed that increase in blood iron level increases the chance of heart disease. Iron is involved in the oxidation of cholesterol and this process is believed to be detrimental for the arteries. Increases blood iron level favors this process of cholesterol oxidation and thus leads to heart disease.1 Regular blood donation helps especially males in loosing iron on regular basis. It helps in reducing the chance of heart attack to one third.

Enhance the production of new Red Blood Cells

As the blood is withdrawn from the donors body there is decrease inblood cells. To replenish it, immediately new cells are produced by marrow andthis way blood gets refreshed. Therefore donating blood helps in stimulating generationof new blood cells.

Helps in fighting hemochromitosis

Hemochromitosis is a genetic disorder; also know as iron overload disorder wherein iron accumulates in the body tissue because or improper iron metabolism. This condition may lead to organ damage. Though this problem is uncommon in Indians4, people with little iron overload also can easily donation blood and reduce their iron content. Taking example from other countries, one in every 300-400 people in England suffers from this disorder and American Red Cross blood services accept such donors as safe donor as it’s a genetic disorder, it won’t be harmful to the person receiving blood from such donors.

Burns calories

One can diet or remain fit by donating blood regularly. One pint of blood (450 ml) when donated burns 650 calories in donor’s body.

Invigorated feeling in elderly people

It has been mentioned in various sites though not proved that elderly people in good health have reported feeling invigorated or reenergized by giving blood on a regular basis.

Basic blood test is done

Apart from all these benefits a donor gets a mini blood test done before donating blood. This includes Hematocrit i.e. HB level test, Blood pressure is measured, body weight is checked. After the blood is collected it tested for 5 major diseases. Those are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, Syphilis and malaria. Donor is immediately informed if any of these test found to be positive.

Invitations

rother Satyajit's Meetings at Mumbai

1. Wednesday, 18th Jan 2012, 10am to 12.30pm followed by Lunch: Meeting at Thakur College, Borivali. Teachers, Staff, Students and some devotees.

2. Wednesday, 18th Jan 2012, 7pm to 8.30pm: Borivali: Brother Satyajit's meeting with devotees followed by Dinner.

3. Thursday, 19th Jan 2012, 10am to 12.30pm: Swami Vivekanand School, Chembur. 10 am to 12.30 pm. Teachers, Staff, some devotees.

4. Thursday, 19th Jan 2pm to 4 pm: Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini Corporate Presentation at Morgan Stanley, Goregaon.

5. Thursday, 19th Jan 7.30pm to 9 pm: SaiPrem, Vashi, Navi Mumbai: Brother Satyajit's meeting with devotees followed by Dinner.

6. Friday, 20th Jan 2012, 10am to 6pm: Meeting with TCS, SEEPZ, Mumbai.

7. Friday, 20th Jan 2012, 7.30pm: Dharmakshetra: Brother Satyajit's meeting with devotees & SSS Alumni.

Updated on 16.01.2012

Patient Medical Equipment Centre

Sairam to One and All,

It is said and believed that for every occasion there is a right time. And that is how the pending dream of Bandra Samithi of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Mumbai became fruitful with the start of its first ever activity at the state level on the holy and auspicious day of Makar Sankranti & Pongal.

Today, With the Divine Blessings of our Beloved Lord Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, THE PATIENT MEDICAL EQUIPMENT CENTRE was graciously inaugurated by the Bandra Samithi of Mumbai at A - 11 Nirmala Niketan, SV Road, Opposite Standard Chartered Bank, Santacruz (West) Mumbai : 400 054. Mobile: 9819190739

Respected Indulal Shah & Sarlaben Shah graced the occasion to bless this activity to a wonderful start.

Shri Ramesh Sawant, Shri Nimesh Pandya, Shri Anoop Saxena and Shri Dhimant Mehta also participated in the inauguration to wish for a great success.

This Patient Medical Equipment Centre will now provide medical items like Wheel chair, I.V stand, Toilet chair, Crutches, Kidney Try, Bed Pan, Urine Pot, Walking Stick, Walker, Water Bed etc... to the poor needy patients for FREE USAGE on refundable deposit. Patients who require any of the above listed items will have to carry a letter from the hospital or a family doctor alongwith a copy of Ration Card or Voters I D Card for address proof.

This Centre is now open on a daily basis from Monday to Friday from 2.30 pm to 5pm.

View Photos:

With the Divine grace, brother Satyajit , who was blessed by Bhagwan to be in his extreme close proximity for several years , will be visiting Mumbai from 18^th Jan onwards.

Brother Satyajit will give a talk on his experiences with Baba and will also briefly speak on the “ Vidhya Vahini Project “ blessed by Bhagwan and presently under implementation.

All the Devotee Sai Brothers and Sisters, including Balvikas Gurus; Youth and all office bears of all the Samithis of Mumbai are requested to attend the programme organised as under :-

Day and Date - Thursday 19^thJanuary 2012.

Talk by Brother Satyajit –1930 to 2100 hrs.

Venue - Sai Prem, Vashi, Navi Mumbai

A Bhajan Sadhana Camp has been organised on Sunday 22^nd January 2012 at Dharmkshetra from 9am to 7.30 pm. The Agenda of the programme is enclosed herewith . Please ask all Bhajan  singers to attend the camp to derive long lasting benefits from it.

This will be conducted by one Mr Hari Subramanian (from Bangalore) , Mr Ameya Deshpande & Shri Ashwath Narayan , Swami's students from Parthi .An effort is being made to make this a very special event to address as many issues as possible relating to Sri Sathya Sai Namsankeertan. Please persuade all bhajan singers of all the samithis to participate in this Sadhna camp.

Most of you must have heard Shri. Ashwath Narayan (Parthi student) sing at Brabourne stadium on 1st Nov 2009 when Bhagawan visited Mumbai. His singing had left the audience spell bound and had drawn lot of praise from Bhagawan.

Shri Ashwath Narayan will be sharing his experiences with Bhagawan and also singing some of Bhagawan's favourite songs at Dharmakshetra on this coming Sunday.

To listen to the melodious voice of Shri. Ashwath Narayan please visit Dharmakshetra on 22nd January, 2012 at 9 am.

Hope you will attend in large numbers and not miss this golden opportunity.

As we march ahead in 2012, the first festival of the year is ready to greet us with the sweetness of Til gul & Pongal on January 15th :)

We have 2 very important events on this day. First the inauguration of the patients equipment cell at Santacruz at 10:00 am in the morning to be hosted by the Bandra - Khar Samithi.

INVITATION 

By the Divine Grace of Swami, the Bandra- Khar- Santacruz Samithi has great pleasure in announcing the start of Patients Equipment Centre at A -11 Nirmala Niketan, Ground Floor, (Entrance from Meghna Bldg.gate) S V Road, Opposite Standard Charted Bank, Santacruz (West), Mumbai.

We would be very happy if you could join for the inauguration of the centre at the above address on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti on Sunday January 15, 2012 at 10.00 AM so that we can together invoke Swami’s blessings for its successful working.

In His Service

Convener, Coordinators & Managing Committee

Bandra- Khar- Santacruz Samithi

Invitation attached

Chembur Samithi, will then host a a colourful cultural festival in the evening from 4:25 pm to 7:00 pm at Dharmakshetra driving home the meaning and need to celebrate Sankranti / Pongal.

Attached please find the invitation card

A list has been compiled by the Data Management Coordinator Ms Lata Gurnani and her team comprising of all office bearers & samithi activities for the Mumbai district. This will shortly be available in the form of a booklet for giving to all those who may be interested, particularly Balvikas Parents, new devotees etc. A soft copy of the list is enclosed herewith for your record, reference and active use.