Updated at 2100 hrs. on June, 11, 2010 60 years ago, in 1950, in a conversation with Prof. Kasturi, Bhagawan’s biographer and Prof. Vitthal Rao, an ardent devotee, Swami casually mentioned of the ‘Puttaparthi University’; a remark so casual that it was considered a joke by those present then. But every word of the Lord is charged with deep inner significance. Bhagawan says, ‘Mine is the Vajra Sankalpa – the Diamond Resolution. Whatever I will, must manifest into fruition!’ Exactly 30 years later, in the presence of the same Prof. Kasturi, Swami addressed an august gathering on the occasion of the Inauguration of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (Deemed University) on November 22, 1981 and highlighted the uniqueness of this 109th University of India and the unique role it would play in the higher education system in the country. This unique model of Bhagawan which is the Sri Sathya Sai System of Integral Education caters to the physical, mental, intellectual, psychic and spiritual domains of the human personality and endeavours to mould students with ability and nobility. Bhagawan says, “Students must have the head of Sri Adi Shankaracharya (symbolising wisdom), the heart of Gautam Buddha (symbolising love and compassion) and the hands of Janaka Maharaja (symbolising detached action).” 30 years have passed since that momentous day and we see how Bhagawan’s Sankalpa has unfolded and the tiny sapling has grown into a gigantic tree providing shade and succour to thousands of students. A number of noble instruments were blessed by Bhagawan to assist Him in this sacred task. These individuals have become a part of history – His Story. To be a Vice Chancellor when the Lord of the Universe dons the role of a Chancellor is indeed an opportunity without a parallel. And the Sri Sathya Sai University has been blessed with many such illustrious individuals, academic giants and men of great eminence and character. It was Prof. Vinayak Krishna Gokak (1981-1985), Prof. Somnath Saraf (1985-1991) and Prof. Sampath (1991-1993) who nurtured the University in its infancy. It was Dr. K. Hanumanthappa (1993-1996) and Prof. G. Venkataraman (1996-1998) who moulded the University in its adolescence and it was Sri SV Giri (1998-2005) and Sri Anil Gokak (2005-2008) who guided the University into its adulthood.... On the 8th of August 2008, Bhagawan blessed yet another noble individual to be His instrument as the 8th Vice Chancellor of His hallowed institution – Prof. Vishwanath Pandit. Hailing from the crest jewel of India – Kashmir, Prof. Pandit did his Post Graduation from Delhi School of Economics and his PhD in Economics from University of Pennsylvania under Nobel Laureate – Prof. Kleine. He was associated with some of the most prestigious institutions in the world including University of Manchester, UK and University of North Carolina, USA. He was Consultant to the World Bank and the Planning Commission, Govt. of India and Advisor to the Govt. of Sri Lanka. He was the President of the Indian Econometric Society and the Chairman of an Expert Group of the United Nations. He has been a colleague of some of the most eminent economists of India including Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission – Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia and the Nobel Laureate – Prof. Amartya Sen. For his extraordinary contribution to the field of Economics, he was conferred the Swami Pranavananda Saraswati Award by the University Grants Commission in 2004. Above all he has been a devotee of Bhagawan for the past 35 years. Fondly referred by Him as ‘Delhi Professor’, Prof. Pandit’s journey from being a Seva Dal at the Darshan Grounds at Prasanthi Nilayam in the 1980s to becoming the 8th Vice Chancellor of the University is noteworthy. His association with the University dates back to 1984. He was a member of the Academic Council of the University right from 1987 and was blessed by Bhagawan to join as the Head, Dept. of Economics and Dean of Humanities in 2001. He was instrumental in spearheading the Master’s and Doctoral Programmes in Economics at the University. He was the Coordinator when the NAAC team visited the University in 2002 and gave it the highest accreditation of ‘A++’. In his brief tenure, the University scaled many heights. Noteworthy among these include: Events a.. In November 2008, the XIth Plan Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. Mool Chand Sharma, Vice Chairperson, University Grants Commission, visited the University. In his observations about the University, Prof. Sharma stated, “The SSSU does not need the UGC, but it is the UGC that needs institutions like the SSSU”. So impressed was Prof. Sharma with the University and Bhagawan’s unique vision of higher education that he again visited Prasanthi Nilayam for the Convocation in Novmber 2008. It was on this occasion that Bhagawan announced the establishment of the 4th Campus of the University at Muddennahalli. b.. Bhagawan laid the foundation stone for the new campus at Muddennahalli on February 14, 2009 and Prof. Pandit was given the onerous task of taking the initiative of interaction with the Govt. of Karnataka and the MHRD, New Delhi. He was also blessed by Bhagawan to lay the foundation stone of the new infrastructural facilities at Anantapur in June 2009. c.. It was in his tenure in June 2009 that the former administrators of the University – Prof. A. Lakshminarasimham (1995-2009) and Prof. Nanjundaiah (1982-2009) were felicitated by Bhagawan for their outstanding services; and Bhagawan’s own students – Dr. Naren Ramji and Sri Srinivas Srirangarajan were blessed to take up important administrative positions as the Registrar and the Controller of Examinations. d.. One of the landmark events in Prof. Pandit’s tenure was the high profile conference on ‘Ethics and World of Finance’. A one of its kind Conference hitherto not conducted elsewhere under the direct guidance of Bhagawan. Dr. Duvurri Subba Rao, the Governor of RBI and Dr. YV Reddy, Former Governor of RBI and a colleague of Prof. Pandit were Guests of Honour at the Inaugural Function which was presided over by Bhagawan. Prof. Pandit put in a lot of efforts to invite leading luminaries in the field including Padma Bhushan Shri KV Kamath, Chairman ICICI Bank and almost 30 other Chairmen and Managing Directors of leading banks and financial institutions. For 2 days, there were detailed discussions on how ethics and values can be incorporated in the field of business and finance. A compilation of the proceedings and discussions has been just completed by Prof. Pandit so that it can be released with the Divine Blessings for the benefit of the world at large. e.. In November 2009, a special committee visited the University under the Chairmanship of Prof. Kaushik, former Indian Ambassador and member of the UGC to adjudge the performance of SSSU as a Deemed University. By Bhagawan’s Divine Grace and under the able leadership of Prof. Pandit, the University was ranked in the topmost category of Deemed Universities in the country. After his illustrious term as the 8th Vice Chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai University, Prof. Pandit remitted office and passed on the stewardship of the Vice Chancellor’s post to Prof. J. Shashidhara Prasad, former Vice Chancellor of Mysore University (2003-2007) and Bhagawan’s devotee on Jun 10, 2010. Prof. Shashidhara Prasad completed his post graduation and doctoral research from the University of Mysore and joined as a faculty there. Thereafter, he went to University of Oxford for a brief period and returned to join the Dept. of Physics at Mysore University. An internationally renowned Physicist and Crystallography expert, Prof. Prasad has published over 300 papers in national and international journals and conferences. He has been a member of various International Scientific Bodies and even represented the University of Mysore at various apex national bodies. Coincidentally his father, Prof. D. Javare Gowda, an expert in Kannada Literature, and Director of the Institute of Kannada Studies at University of Mysore was also a Vice Chancellor of Mysore University during 1969-1975 and has been conferred the Padma Shri. Prof. Gowda was a student of none other than Prof. Kasturi, Bhagawan’s biographer and a Professor of History at Mysore University. Prof. Kasturi would visit their house in those days and share the grandeur and glory of Bhagawan with them. However, Prof. Prasad’s first opportunity of Darshan was only in 1998. Thereafter in 2003, he was blessed by Bhagawan with an interview when he took over as Vice Chancellor of Mysore University. He was blessed to be a member of the Governing Body of Sri Sathya Sai University from 2005-2007 and from 2008 onwards till date. With Bhagawan’s blessings, he took over as the 9th Vice Chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai University on Thursday, June 10, 2010. The Programme on June 10, 2010 at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus Auditorium Bhagawan arrived at the Auditorium of the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus at 1740 hrs. He was led by the Vedam Procession. He took His position on the dais while Bhajans and Vedic chants were at their acme. To His left were seated the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Vishwanath Pandit and Smt. Krishna Pandit and to His right were seated the incoming Vice Chancellor, Prof. J. Shashidhara Prasad and Smt. Prasad. The Programme began with inaugural remarks by Shri Jagadish Chandra, Doctoral Research Scholar, Dept. of Physics, Sri Sathya Sai University. Thereafter, Prof. U.S. Rao, Principal, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus gave the welcome address. The next speaker who was blessed by Bhagawan to address the gathering was Shri Shashank Shah, Doctoral Research Scholar, School of Business Management, Sri Sathya Sai University. Shri Shashank highlighted the outstanding contributions made by Prof. Pandit to the University in his brief tenure and the noteworthy achievements made by the University in his regime. He also highlighted the exalted virtues of humility and simplicity which are the hallmarks of Prof. Pandit’s personality and his extraordinary concern for all the students and faculty of the University. He concluded his talk by quoting Bhagawan who had made a grand declaration on a similar occasion in the very same auditorium on 24th February 2005, when Sri Anil Gokak took charge from Sri SV Giri as the 7th Vice Chancellor. Swami had said, “I am unable to express in words the fortune and good luck of the students of this University. I am very happy noticing the University and the wonderful things you have been through all along. In future you will find this University attaining and reaching even greater heights and in fact it will be the leader for the whole country. This University will proceed further as to reach the heights of Educare and enjoy and share with the people the profundity, the depth and the insight of the Self, the Atma, the Spirit.” Shri Shashank’s talk was followed by a talk by Prof. Pandit who shared his long association with Bhagawan and His University and how by Bhagawan’s grace, he was blessed with such a rare opportunity. He highlighted a few important occurrences during his tenure and how Bhagawan had continued to shower His grace on him all through the two years. He hoped that he had lived up to Swami’s expectations and prayed that he continue to be blessed with an opportunity to be a part of Bhagawan’s Mission. The next speaker was Prof. G.Venkataraman, former Vice Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai University. In his inimitable style full of wit and humour, Prof. GV introduced Prof. JS Prasad and his vast academic experience and achievements. He also highlighted the high standards of probity and integrity that Prof. Prasad had maintained while discharging his duty as the Vice Chancellor at the University of Mysore. He said, “Sir, you have protected Dharma by your exemplary conduct and hence Dharma has rewarded you with this rarest of blessings of becoming a Vic Chancellor at SSSU. Thereafter Prof. Shashidhara Prasad gave a brief talk wherein he shared how he had known of Swami many decades ago from Prof. Kasturi, but got the opportunity to come close to Him only in 2003. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Bhagawan on his behalf and behalf of his family for having considered him worthy of being blessed with this opportunity. He prayed for Bhagawan’s blessings and guidance to be able to discharge his duties to His satisfaction. Thereafter Bhagawan blessed both the couples with clothes and sarees and put the Golden Kankanam (symbolic of His grace and blessings) on the wrist of the new incumbent, Prof. Sashidhara Prasad. The last speaker of the day was Sri SV Giri, former Vice Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai University. Sri Giri highlighted the unique role of Bhagawan’s mega projects – education, health and drinking water for the benefit of mankind. He has also highlighted the uniqueness of Bhagawan’s University and His system of education and the unique relationship that the Revered Chancellor has with His students. The programme concluded with Bhajans and Arati and Swami left the premises at 1725 hrs. after blessing both the couples with Pada Namaskar. And while the function was concluding, Prasanthi Nilayam witnessed its first seasonal rains. It was as if the deities from the heavens were expressing their joy at yet another milestone in Bhagawan’s Divine Mission.... sourced: http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/vcchangingover2010.html Fri, June 11, 2010: Today, this evening, emerging at the waning twliglight, at 1850 hrs., Bhagawan glided through the devotees granting a full round of Darshan before moving bit further into the ladies' side to take a "u-turn" coming onto the portico in 15 minutes. Moving through the portico, conversing and blessing many, including a 'lengthy' stint with Sri Rituraj Ji Maharaj, the young scholar who conducted Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajna some months ago, Bhagawan came onstage at 1916 hrs. to accept Mangala Arathi. Blessing the Rose Beneficiary for the evening with materialised Vibhuti Prasadam, blessing two student beneficiaries, blessing a videographer from Prasanthi Digital Studio, Bhagawan moved off the dais at 1925 hrs. round of Ganesha, enroute blessings many, retiring for the day at 1935 hrs. Thu, June 10, 2010: This morning, Bhagawan, upon emerging at 0940 hrs. came for a full round of Darshan before coming onstage just after 1000 hrs. Enroute, Bhagawan interacted with many, including Vice Chancellor designate, Sri Sathya Sai University, Prof. J. Sashidhar Prasad who is set to take over the mantle in a function scheduled for the evening at the University Auditorium. Coming onstage, Bhagawan called for Arathi in three minutes and while returning, He interacted with Mr. Kornelis M. Keur, Hon'ble Consul General, US Consulate, Hyderabad who was seated seeking Divine Blessings. Being Thursday, tiny tots from Primary School were also present and for some of them, the first standard children, this was their maiden Darshan. Before retiring at 1010 hrs., Bhagawan blessed Prasadam for the Primary children. In the evening, Bhagawan, emerging from His Divine Abode at 1730 hrs. drove down straight to the University Auditorium where stage was set for the new incumbent of the Vice Chancellorship of Sri Sathya Sai University, Prof. J. Sashidhar Prasad to take over. In the auditorium, bhajans began at 1655 hrs. and the hall was filled to capacity with Faculty, Staff and Students of the Univerisity along with senior administrators from various other sister institutions made it to the occasion. Bhagawan arrived at 1740 hrs., ceremonially received with Poornakhumbham and Vedic chanting along with senior functionaries of the University. Arriving onstage flanked by the outgoing and incoming Vice Chancellors followed by their consorts, Bhagawan officially lit the lamp commencing the proceedings. As Bhagawan sat onstage, bhajans continued for some more time before Bhagawan nodded for the proceedings to begin. Both the outgoing and incoming VCs were garlanded by Dr, Naren Ramji, Registrar of the University, Sri GS Rangarajan, Controller of Examinations respectively followed by their consorts Mrs. Pandit and Mrs. Prasad by Prof. Ms. Dwaraka Rani Rao, Principal, Anantapur Campus and Dr. Ms. Indrani Chakraborthy, Principal, Sri Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music respectively. Compeering the function, introducing the occasion, research scholar from Dept. of Physics, Sri Jagdish Chandra spoke about the evolution of the University tagging and crediting the same to Mother Easwaramma's selfless ambition. Prof. US Rao, Principal, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus who spoke next while officially welcoming both the Vice Chancellors to the changing over ceremony, expressed grateful thanks to Bhagawan while invoking HIm with a prayer to continue His shower of Blessings to the University. Sri Sashank Shah, a research scholar from the Dept. of Business Administration spoke at the credentials of the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Vishwanath Pandit. Speaking on the veteran, Sri Shah highlighted the illustrious academic career of Prof. Pandit, who with a rare blend of humility, devotion and academic brilliance guided the University to greater heights. The speaker highlighted Prof. Pandit's tireless efforts that resulted in organising a high profile Business Meet in Prasanthi Nilayam last october, attended by luminaries from India Inc. led by the highest banking official from the country, Dr. Duvvuri Subba Rao, Governor, Reserve Bank of India who delivered the key-note address. Prof. Vishwanath Pandit, who spoke next, who was his usual simple self, spoke on his self evolution from a man simply knowing Sathya Sai Baba into a devotee who came over seeking His blessings. Lucidly narrating phase wise evolution of his becoming a devotee and later, a visiting faculty on sabbatical from Delhi University Prof. Pandit thanked Bhagawan profusely for making him a worthy instrument in HIs mission leaving Bhagawan to rate his performance at the helm of affairs of the University for the past almost two years. Prof. G Venkataraman speaking next, formally introducing the new Vice Chancellor, hailed Prof. Prasad to be a core research oriented person who has over 300 publicatiions to his credit in various journals of national and international repute. Specialising in 'liquid crystals' the Professor equally developed his research interest in other physics related areas, said the former Vice Chancellor. He also highlighted on Prof. Prasad's rare achievement of winning a grant worth Rs. 100 crores for his erstwhile University as its Vice Chancellor, which according to the veteran professor is a commendable achievement considering the prevailing bureaucratic hurdles. The Former Vice Chancellor, ending his speech on a positive note, commenting on Prof. Prasad's earlier stint as VC of Mysore University, said the new VC would enjoy the coordination and co-operation of the entire University; he further advised the new Vice Chancellor to put all problems before the Chancellor who would take care of everything so that he would be having lesser problems and higher challenges. Prof. Sashidhar Prasad, the new incumbent, the 9th Vice Chancellor of the University, in his brief speech highlighted on his personal growth as a Sai devotee who had a rare connection with late Prof. Kasturi. Being the son of a former Vice Chancellor of Mysore University, Prof. D. Javare Gowda , the new Vice Chancellor highlighted his ninety three year old father's words of appreciation at his selection by Bhagawan, quotion him, "You are chosen by the Living God, best thing that could happen". Former Vice Chancellor SV Giri who was the last one to address, who spoke on the uniqueness of the institution and the educational system imparted at the hallowed portals. This was followed by felicitation of the outgoing Vice Chancellor and his consort. Bhagawan presented a golden bracelet to the new incumbent, Prof. Sashidhar Prasad. Arathi was offered after two aalaap bhajans and Bhagawan left the dais for Mandir at 1925 hrs. Laddu Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage. Back in the mandir, bhajan was on and Bhagawan arrived at 1730 hrs. Ascending the portico Bhagawan called for Arathi and as Arathi was being offered Bhagawan alighted to come onstage for a brief darshan before moving off the dais to retire to Yajur Mandiram at 1940 hrs. Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage.
