ChemburDust

The following is the window for Live telecast. Standby for the next announcement. ..

2011-12-25T02:29:00.000-08:00

Mall-Valley-Civilisation and Ceiling on Desires

2011-09-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

Om Sairam

Thanks for the overwhelming response to the "Ceiling on desire" call in our mail pasted below this. (scroll down to see that first mail on Ceiling on desire)

Some still might be having doubts whether any considerable impact would be made
with small amounts so saved by practicing Ceiling on Desires.
That is the trick of the metro-mind.
It always seeks noisy big bash in a spirit of celebration.
Even in Seva it wants mega projects and mammoth crowd cheering.
But Sadhana is to efface that mind out in a silent revolution.Don't fall for it. Just take out Sri Sai Sat Charita of Shirdi Baba
and read Chapter 15 quietly in a corner. And wonderhow He rewarded Mr.Cholkar for saving money by not mixing sugar in tea for months
and with saved money came to Shirdi for fulfilling his Vow.
And realise after all we are not in bad company
when we vow to save small money and spend on seva
by practicing "Ceiling on Desires".
God is essentially 'Retail' as He proved many times over
by reaching out to small consumers (read Bhaktas) one to one over the counter.
Again ours is not a Campaign for Cancer patients on footpath.
or a recommendation to skip auto and walk or take a bus
instead of car ride. These are only illustrations.

Let us see What Swami mentioned about Ceiling on Desires
"There are four components in the term "Ceiling on Desires.
They are, respectively; Curb on excessive talk,
Curb on excessive desires and expenditure, Control of consumption of food,
Check on waste of energy. Man needs some essential commodities
for his sustenance and he should not aspire for
more...." - Baba- http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume16/sss16-03.pdf

There are n number of ways one can apply
and implement "Ceiling on Desires" based on the above..
A few illustrations-

1. Swami - "Curb on Excessive Talk"

   Applied as : Reduce longish talk with a tag at the end of every sentence
   saying "Aur..Aur"" that prolongs the talk eternally.
   Each one feels let the other person end the call and it goes on.
   'Talking to the point' as a Sadhana can
   see drop in the tel. bill and that is saving.

"Ok.Understood.Majha aagaya.Aur ..."

2. Swami - "Curb on Excessive desire and expenditure"

   Applied as : It could be related to the impulse purchases of cloth and stuff
   in expensive Malls. Each time we overcome a powerful
   impulse to buy an avoidable item we can record the details
   of the instance and the price of the item avoided which is the amount saved.
"Eversince you read the ChemburDust mail on Ceiling on Desires,you don't allow me
to buy anything in the Mall. We keep going up and down just to show off.."

3. Swami - "Control on consumption of food"

   Applied as : It needs no major expln. All drooling tongues over Junk food
   need tobe sensitised over the harm Junk food does to body and of course
   avoiding them results in money saving that can go to poor & needy on the footpath.
   Also just by reducing the instances of Eating Out and eating at home.....consider

"It is easy to say 'Stop Junk food'
What do ChemburDusties know.See our condition.
Our bodies can't digest home made good food.
All along we lived only on Junk food"

4. Swami - "Check on waste of Energy"

   Applied as : Look at the electrical gadgets incl A/C /Computers
   remaining switched on at home and office even when not required.
   By managing it effectively one can reduce the Power bill.
   For e.g Spending a day or two in a week without AC can
   directly see a drop in bill that could help many needy.
   Using Public transport instead of car whenever possible
   also saves Petrol which is a form of energy that is in short supply.

"Thank you friend for switching me off when not required.
I used to get bugged when kept open without anyone before me."

The list can go on. Not necessarily every ceiling on Desire should result in saving of money.
But we suggested this model to see how the ceiling on desire has resulted in
a poor getting the benefit in measurable terms so that you get immense joy
on seeing a deserving poor directly benefited by your little sacrifice.

True. It would be a task to issue laminated cards
to all those who join and submit details.
But that(issuing cards) is the Seva some chose to do.
For some, serving the Bhaktas is preferred over serving the Lord Himself.
Such souls join in doing this Seva of issuing laminated cards
with photos of beneficiaries and details of the
'Ceiling on Desire'(COD) model practiced
that resulted in the savings that is applied.
This card is just to give a 'Roop-Rekha' to the sadhana (COD) and
bring it to the realm of measurable metrics to 'solidify' the perception.
Years later one can go down the memory lane via these cards.

In our country while some cry for extra Jam
many crave for bread itself.
By ceiling on desires, we forgo some extra Jam
that can facilitate many to get their basic quota of bread .

"I want more Jam. More Jam please"
"Abhey.Outside,people don't have bread itself"
Thanks for reading upto this 'Bread-Jam'(!) theory patiently !
Jai Sairam
r.chandrashekarChemburDust


Om Sairam

Being dust, ChemburDust that is, we are footloose.
Freak out all over and stick to anything worth exploring.

Like we took a jaywalk across the cross roads and
looked at our confused Society and its constant Struggles.

And step by step traced its woes to the emerging lifestyle that has
no role for our cherished culture and tradition.
Influenced by the huge hoardings around, we imagined.
If the Society's maladies are converted into a campaign, the copylines will go like-
"Feed your Greed..Blow up money as though there is no tomorrow"-
"My space. My career. My wealth.A world for myself and me alone"-
"I am street smart.I can Manipulate and make the world serve me all the time."
"I am a citizen of facebook world. Don't care two hoots for the outside world you guys live in"
"Welcome to this new township.Spot a Mall and see a new civilization springing up nearby.
Like the good ol' River-Valley-Civilisation".
May be five such hoardings can capture the essence.

The culture that survived the Moghuls and the mighty British
now meekly surrendered to the new "Mall-Valley-Civilisation..
And is e-living only in PPTs
meant to show to the Firangi investors
how once upon a time
our great grand fathers were culturally rich
and spiritually elevated.
.
It is the story of how an entire nation
is turning culturally inert.And spiritually sterile.

Go to any Indian metro and see the synthetic symmetry..
The same Mall-Valley-Civln showing up....

Youngistan is the first victim of this fiasco. Look at their world.
Structured work in office.Milestones-Targets.
But polar opposite at home. chaotic pursuits.
As lost individuals,searching for Peace under the same roof,
many stopped living as families long back,
though staying together!
Ask any Senior citizen for more details.

Now the lowest denominator of our society
is not 'family' anymore. It is emptied individulals
with huge value deficit.
No surprise then,if for many of us -"Love all.Serve all"
or "Help Ever Hurt Never" is nothing beyond a sticker
tobe put up somewhere conspicuous. Other than our hearts.

Bahut Ho Gaya. We walked back to barracks.Lost in thoughts.
We need living examples of Sai messages.
To demo effectively and bring our lost ones back home.
Where values are nourished and Culture thrives
in a holy ambience with a new Centre of Gravity.
God in the middle. Gravitating.
Our homes should be so re-done .

Sai Devotees should lead. And demonstrate.
But sad that many are after the Trustees and office bearers.
Organisations and Admin issues are inseperable.
Admin is the millstone round the neck if you institutionalise anything.
Whether Underworld or Spiritual world, no one can wish away Admin.

All organisations have at the top 'Torch bearers' and
at the bottom 'Palanquin bearers'.And the rest,'Office bearers'!
Let these bearers bear their destiny and work it out. Why bother.

We took a long 'Ramdev' breath and went deep inside us.
With closed eyes we saw God's goal posts being different.
Once Swami narrated to Parthi students, the last moments of Radha
and suddenly broke into tears. And the Students also wept.
Such is the elevated level of Radha.
After several centuries even God recounted with tears.

We checked the 5000 year old record.
Radha was not an office bearer, not even in any samithi or a P singer of her times.
If any, she was only a cross bearer paying for her Bhakti with pain.
And here we are. Fighting over organizing God's left over affairs in India.
Missing the wood for the tree.
Let us do a Radha. Atleast attempt.
-------------------

On a quick survey we discovered that many
well meaning do-gooders of the society need inputs
from Sai devotees about the Seva and Sadhana opportunities.
Without affecting their faith in whichever God they believe in,
they are prepared to do Seva with our folks, as they feel
that Sai Seva models are time-tested and can deliver.
But they know little about the ground details.

So we decided to address this in our own small way.
Yes. A round trip to seva sites - kind of 'Seva Tourism'- is our response.
To take the interested ones to the Ground Zero of each Seva
and let them gauge which one suits them best and join.
The last mile is the best place
where one can 'touch and feel' the beneficiaries.
And that is the proof of pudding.

Last week we took one Sai Message on hand-'Ceiling On Desires'.
To convert into a 'do-able' model with Metrics.
One at a time, in baby steps, given all constraints.

We appealed to all interested to join the Seva tour
and see for themselves the suffereing bretheren.
In the streets opp Tata memorial, In old age homes,
slums,Children home and the like.
Where we have working Seva models.

The call is simple. Save money by fixing a Ceiling on any Desire.
And spend part of the saved money
on any of these suffering souls directly. We facilitate.
By picking and dropping you back.
After getting details of the deserving ones.

But we don't collect cash.
The Ceiling On Desire volunteers spend on the poor directly,
Assisted by us with data and logistics.
Those who can't reach onsite are connected to the beneficiaries by us on phone
for a direct talk and cheque issued in favour of Tata memorial or medical store etc.
and sent by them directly to the beneficiaries/Tata.
But we ensure that only money saved by practicing "Ceiling on desire" is used
and the model is "one to one between the giver and the beneficiary".
We issue a memento by printing in a small laminated card
the details of the Patient/beneficiary with photo
and mentioning the items bought out of money saved
by Ceiling on Desire(with specific details of how saved) practiced by the volunteer.
Card issued everytime they save and spend, coordinated by us.
Years later when they get old, they can revisit their acts of charity
by going through the laminated cards which will boost their morale.

We were excited to see the good response and the first one
who joined this Ceiling on Desire is a Woman Executive
commuting by taxi daily to work place at cuffe Parade.
Agreed to let off the taxi midway at Parel daily and take a bus instead.
And give the saved money ( a good 1.5k pm) to buy medicines
for the footpath cancer patients.

We inaugurated by enabling her to buy medicines for
a poor cancer patient Sh.Amit Srichand Verma (Case no.25232)from Nainital
stranded in Mumbai whille the treatment in Tata mem is on.
Both connected and our first laminated card of
Ceiling on Desires was issued on 23 Dec 2011 with details..

Now she knows that everytime she shifts from taxi to Bus at Parel,
the discomfort is more than compensated by the
smile on the face of a poor soul,becoming beneficiary of the money saved.
Another one who signed up has decided to go by bus instead of car once in a week
and offer the savings to the poor cancer patients on footpath.

With our vast range, we can find a suitor to even very small amount
saved by you by practicing Ceiling on Desires.
For e.g for all tube-fixed cancer patients and kid cancer patients on footpath
we arrange half litre milk every morning as they can't cansume solid food.
So if you save even Rs.16 by walking instead of taking a rick,
it can buy a days morning milk for a kid.
And we shall certainly issue the Ceiling-on-Desire card with the
photo and details of the kid benefited and the day on which you
decided to walk and not take a rick and saved the money.

Beneficiary of Ceiling-on-Desire getting medicine

Amount saved may not be high.But Small need not be insignificant.
What counts is that it enables you to practice Ceiling on Desires...
With more and more signing up for this seva,the message is sinking in.
By next time we come back, we may have more stories to tell.

'Ceiling on Desires' in the present age is an important value.
Even if a few individuals demonstrate that it is doable, the impact will be great.

For detailed speech on Ceiling on Desires by Baba pl write to us.

The world is looking at Sai Devotees...
Its time to demonstrate. At least practice one value.
Why not Ceiling on Desires...

Jai Sairam

r.chandrashekar
ChemburDust

An Amazing video on all about Meditation done with Professional Finesse

2011-07-17T08:41:00.000-07:00

Meditation....Part I .... Dont miss this video- This is a hyperlink to Vimeo .posted as

Spirituális Valóság 1. részby Sairamark

Spirituális Valóság 1. rész from Sairamark on Vimeo.

Meditation Part II

Spirituális Valóság 2. rész from Sairamark on Vimeo.

Welcome to the World of ChemburDust...

2011-04-14T23:17:00.000-07:00

Sairam . Welcome to the World of ChemburDust. In this site you can read about our Seva experience in the links below this introductory note.

-We serve poor cancer patients, who, after spending all they had on treatment, ultimately land in footpath opp Tata Memorial Hospital Parel,Mumbai, Dharamshala in Ghatkopar etc.,

-We help reunite with Parents, the kids running away from home or lost in Mumbai .

-Serve the abandoned old in Old age home by attending to their needs. Every 2nd Sunday of the month

-Get the slum youth and unleash their power constructively - Be with them during SSC overnight study in a Garden calling them as "Midnight Scholars" and teach them Personality dev, English speaking("Bol Bindaas") and Computer Basics every Sunday 5-7 pm.

-Serve tribals in a remote village adopted by us and so on....

Anyone can participate in these Seva activities onsite or offsite models well structured and tested. No Cash collected. The objective is to make effective 'Seva' delivery in the last mile till it reaches the beneficiaries, which is the major gap in many models of Seva we found around.

Our first lesson learnt - A few committed individuals with very little means can do effective Seva to the poor and sick in and around their own place. If a dash of Spirituality is added, then it becomes blissful for both the ones who do Seva and the beneficiaries at once.

Discover the Joy of Loving and Serving.....Get inspired by our Divine Master

Come..A whole new world of bliss is waiting tobe discovered....

R.Chandrashekar

'Somebody' trying to become 'Nobody' through Spiritual Sadhana..

Amazing interview with a student who attended to Baba 24 hours

2011-04-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

Wait for a few minutes after clicking at the white arrow head below . It takes a few min for the Video clip to start. Till that time, the screen would look black. Wait till it starts...

SOULJOURNS - A SAI COUPLE - SUNDER & MAYA IYER, SUNDER'S LESSONS FROM BEING BABA'S PERSONAL ATTENDANT FOR 2 YEARS from Ted Henry & Jody Cleary on Vimeo.

Novel Cricket tournament on 6th Mar 2011 with Spiritual commentary amidst running cricket commentary

2011-03-10T12:26:00.000-08:00

"Sri Sathya Sai Manav Mulya Ekta Cup"

A novel Cricket tournament was held in Palasdhari on 6th Mar 2011 - "Sri Sathya Sai Manav Mulya Ekta Cup" wherein there was a running commentary on cricket alongwith running commentary with moral and spiritual messages of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

View the interesting combo commentary on Cricket and Spirituality

Sairam. Watch the inauguration of the first Village -Shrigiri Washim in Maharashtr being digitally connected with Dharmakshetra

2010-10-19T19:49:00.000-07:00

By Divine Grace the first Village in India by Sri Sathya Sai Organisation tobe Digitally connected with Video conferencing facility for Tele medicine, Tele education and host of other interactive services is being inaugurated today at 10.30 am. 26 Jan 2011 .You can watch it live in the window below:

Roll down to see 'Live Darshan' of Shirdi, Siddhi Vinayak and Kashi.Reduce Volume in each window to avoid mix up

2010-08-03T04:23:00.000-07:00

Please roll down/click 'older posts' at the bottom of the page to see in seperate windows one below the other -'Live Darshan' of Shirdi, Siddhi Vinayak and Kashi. REDUCE VOLUME IN EACH WINDOW TO AVOID MIX UP. Open only in Internet Explorer - NOT in Mozilla Firefox.

Open in Internet Explorer - Shirdi 'live darshan' below for Senior Citizens who cannot browse and click. Others may see in the authorised site only pl

2009-10-03T05:48:00.000-07:00

All Credits go to Tata Communications Ltd. and Shirdi Sansthan

Please click the link below of Shirdi Sansthan

Click on this - "Shirdi Live Darshan"

Open in Internet Explorer -Siddhi vinayak Mumbai 'live' darshan- for senior citizens who can't browse & click.Others may see only in Tata commn authorised site.

2009-10-03T03:08:00.000-07:00

All credit for this to Tata Comn.Ltd and Siddhi Vinayak temple

The window below(opens only in Internet Explorer browser) is Kashi temple 'live' darshan for senior citizens who can't browse & click.Others are requested to view in Tata site.

2009-10-03T03:05:00.000-07:00

Listen to Radio Sai,Bhajans&discourses 24 hrs by double clicking on this link below and after that click on "Listen" on the page opening after that..

2009-08-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

Cilck on this ........Listen to Radio Sai 24 hrs

Click on this .... Listen to Sai Bhajans 24 hrs

Click on this ....Listen to Sri Sathya Sai Baba discourses 24 hrs

Click on this ..... to see - Sai TV -24 hour TV channel

ChemburDust thankfully acknowledges and provides Credits to the authors of the above hyperlinks Radio Sai and WorldTV as would be appearing on opening the links.

2009-08-15T19:26:00.001-07:00

Click on the following titles to read the full Seva story...

Last Posting : Indian Peninsula has three sides ocean but all sides violence...

1. Know about the Sai Seva activities in Chembur done with one Philosophy - One to One in Last Mile .

2. A history in making.. Story of Smart Midnight Scholars at Chembur

3. Seva without fanfare... Serve Silently and Deserve Divine Grace

4. Hadshi Visit of Baba - Little Champs Performance - Video Clip

5. Hadshi - Stunning description of Hadshi by Sh.Anil Kumar

6.What Swine flu? Do you know the virus C1M1 affecting all of us.. It is shocking..Read on

7. Life after death? For some there is no life before death!! Read the sad story of the bed ridden..

8. 'Dial-a-DaadiMa' - An out of the box idea experimented with our Midnight scholars !!

9. An outstanding video by a Sai devotee one should not miss!

10. Ganga Maiya ....Never Ganga Baiya! Worship Womanhood for nations Prosperity

11. Reboot India - An insightful presentation to Re-boot India.

12. Amazing real life stories during Seva by ChemburDust Volunteers - Part II

13. Amazing real life stories during Seva by ChemburDust Volunteers -Part I

14. A real life story of how the last wish of a young Cancer Patient was fulfilled by ChemburDust

15. 'Midnight Scholars' - A big group of SSC students studying overnight in a lonely Public Garden Served exactly at midnight by ChemburDust - exciting story

16. "Sirf Bhagwan....Scientists vs Spiritualists Battle Royale..

Himalayan Trip by Overnight Meditators

2009-08-15T19:25:00.000-07:00

On the bank of Ganges in Himalayas

Team Meditating in River Yamuna near Yamunotri

A group of 22 Sai devotees do Overnight Meditation every Friday in Chembur Mumbai. They decided to go to Himalayas and do Meditation over there. They had thrilling experience of seeing a landslide 'live' and also meditated right on the banks of River Ganges and Yamuna. Brought stones from the rivers naming them as Ganga Lingeshwar and Yamuna Lingeshwar which they would bring every Friday for the overnight meditation and do Abhishek before starting the Overnight Meditation.

The entire spiritual expedition in Himalayas is brought out in the form of a book shortly. In the meantime, the pilgrim-Meditators are sharing their experience with the blog readers. The piece below is from one of the team that visited Himalayas- Dr.Vasantha Nair MD

--------------------------------------

THE TRIP TO THE HIMALAYAS-THE ESSENCE ! Dr. Vasantha Nair

Our trip to Rishikesh started with fervor, anticipation and excitement. I had covered a major portion of the Himalayan tour in 2003 and now, I had been invited to sit on her lap yet again-a thing I had not imagined in my wildest dreams. As is held about other pilgrimage sites, I believe that no one can go to the Himalayas unless specifically called.

During winter, the snow capped Himalayas reverberate in magnificence, splendor and in essence the range is grandly divine. However , during the summer months, as the snow melts it lends its’ glory and beauty to the tracks of the Ganges as it gurgles its’, way to meander into the plains. As the Ganges is held with great reverence and piety, and worshipped as Divine Mother, I had tuned my being to venerate Her and worship Her remembering the adage-‘yad bhavam-tad bhavati [as one thinks –so one becomes]

MEDITATION

The main focus of the trip as had been stated was the overnight meditation at Rishikesh.

Without transgressing its’ importance, I was keenly aware that every moment in the Himalayan range is meditation itself as we take in the divine vibrations pervading all around into our very being; through the pores of our skin, thru the air we breathe, thru our sight ,thru the kiss of the wind that envelops us and thru the silence and stillness that blankets the entire region. !!!

During the meditation at Rishikesh I sensed peace, peace and yet more peace. The only thoughts that interrupted me time again were those of the Ganges especially the stotras written by Adi Shankaracharya. However this was not all.

The sight of the Himalayan ranges with its’ bountiful waterfalls, luscious greenery, the Ganges with its’ undulating waves was meditation .

I got many a chance to do active meditation when I had to go down or climb up tiny stony slopes with a hundred percent concentration so that I do not become a casualty nor spoil the pilgrimage for the rest.

However, the highlight of the meditation experience for me was on the banks of the Yamuna. It was barely for 30 minutes. I experienced the pranava sound pervading everywhere. Since ‘cosmos ‘is a big word , I will describe that it enveloped the vast expanse of the sky above, the intervening space to include the waters of the Yamuna. Had we sat longer, may be I would have heard it within too. How did I experience this? I blocked the mind to the sound of the waves that were softly lashing by. All that was left was-AUM!!! I have heard accounts that this is experienced at Kailas. I was elated beyond measure for being gifted this profound experience on the banks of the river Yamuna itself!!!

YAMUNOTRI

In the tour of 2003 Yamunotri had been left out. Some mentioned that Yamunotri was tough to reach; others added that one should not even attempt it- so tough the route. This time , it was part of the trip. Most in the group used the palanquin due to the steep terrain. Not that it was all comfort as there was a continuous jerk transmitted by the four who carried the person. However it was the least risky and possible option for senior citizens. The rain gods poured their blessings on us continuously. Despite all the paraphernalia such as the raincoat, plastic sheet over the body with shoes tucked inside the sheet, we got wet from top to toe; chill filled our being; we remained wet till we reached the hotel-a good 7-8 hrs later; yet we were all fit and fine the next day-ready for the next day’s meditation and sport in the waters of the Yamuna!

Going back to Yamunotri- I heard from accounts that the Yamunotri temple is small! Given the veneration that is conferred on the Ganges and Gangotri,, Yamunotri seemed to have a second place. Quite contrarily, I must say that every bit of Yamunotri, filled me with a sense of its’ sacredness . Though I was wet to my bones, peace filled my being! Joy , and a dumb silence raced within despite the wet floors, the noises of people around, and the general commotion that is a part of such places.

I reached the Sanctum Sanctorum to set eyes on the Goddess and what did I see? Emanating from the idol –for a few seconds -I saw light!!! It can be compared to the experience of lightening. After this, I kept looking at the idol to experience more of it. Though I saw no more light, I could see and experience divine energy radiating from Her. This energy could be seen for 2-3 feet around her after which it merged with the rest of the atmosphere. I could not note the beauty of the idol .I experienced her POWER and DIVINITY.

So much for what thrilled me in this tour.

What touched me and made the tour worthwhile:

The care and support and attitude of service that pulsated within the whole group given to us by our VERY OWN SWAMI!!!

The discipline that was present all through-ingrained into us by our VERY OWN SWAMI.

The love that pervaded between everyone-infused into us by our VERY OWN SWAMI. Everyone was joyous and happy all the time.

WITH PRANAMS AT HIS LOTUS FEET.

-- Dr.Vasantha Nair

Serve Silently and Deserve Divine Grace

2009-08-15T19:20:00.000-07:00

Om Sri Sairam

Being Dust (ChemburDust that is)helps.

Dust is the lowest denominator of matter

to which everything is reduced to in the end.

Which,being Dust,we already are.

No baggage of Knowledge.

Enjoy Knowledge-holiday

and transact only through heart.

Aatha vaatha kuch nahi tho

what a relief!

A state carefully crafted

by wilful unlearning.

By the way, Love happens in Heart

only when we switch off the Head.

Even in low-end worldly Love,

two love-smitten don't discuss Algebra !

Divine Love is far more non-head stuff.

Being at the bottom,

we get a worm's-eye view, if not bird's.

And that too is some angle,

atleast from the bottom of the Pyramid.

To which everybody rushes these days

led by the celebrated C K Prahlad.

Armed by ignorance we set out to explore

with a clean slate.

So much grief and agony all around.

India can certainly write grammer for grief.

But again,there is disproportionately higher

NGOs in every domain.

From 'street dogs' to 'Green space' they are ubiquitous.

Then,why mitigation-rate is miserable?

We did a petty survey to figure out.And

exchanged notes with few NGOs.

Every NGO has a challenge.

Their Junta demand high drama,

in every Project conceived.

Local mileage, if not Media mileage.

Without big bandwagon,photo ops

and noisy celebration,

pretty poor participation.

Only a few dedicated handful

show up in Silent Zones.

Can't get critical mass to make a difference.

Modern minds suffer from 'Attn deficiency'.

Inadequate recognition in workplace.

Poor acknowledgement back home.

And no one cares a hang in Society

for others' welfare.

In this backdrop,

many minds jump at NGO-ops

to get a new badge of recognition.

With noise and celebration.

But if they are missing,many don't sign up.

At ChemburDust, we embarked upon a tiny project-

To go at midnight, on the eve of Baba's 84th birthday,

to the footpath opp Tata mem hospital,

and spread brand new bedsheets over the

poor cancer patients and their escorts sleeping there...

Around 80+ right on footpath.

It was executed with the script-'Quietly spread and Quickly vanish'.

The beneficiaries in sleep didn't know who the donors were.

We enjoyed our anonymity and identitylessness.

With only few volunteers turning up,

it was a mid-night non-event.

But tons of bliss in that plain vanilla 'giving'.

In any supply chain, the last mile is crucial.

To deliver without transmission loss.

In many NGO projects, we find the last mile dicey,

though their PPTs are spicy!

Flood at the top of the funnel.

But not even a trickle at the bottom.

But we can't blame them always.

Read Times story on 18 Dec

about an NGO, struggling to get

regular volunteers for handling street kids.

Familiarity breeds contempt,they say.

The mind needs new drama in every action-(read Seva.)

The organisers are forced to package it with

high decibel bandwagon and assured mileage.

Baraath of Bandhu lok in truck loads.

Forced to Dramatise and draw volunteers.

It is a task for the poor NGO heads.

But unfortunately this model won't sustain.

Nor get billed as Seva, in real sense.

There is choice-

Serve our sick minds or serve the poor n needy?

And many buckle and choose the former.

Limelight is irresistible.

It is part of Maya's script.

For some, NGO is backdoor access to Powerplay.

But the real Seva demands

self-effacing simplicity.

Just deliver and disappear.

Seva is a Sadhana to jettison

the unwanted load of 'misconceived self'-

Mai yeh hoon.. mai woh hoon...

Meri izzat..Mera reputation...

Iam not an ordinary volunteer,

Iam an office bearer..etc.etc.

Misconceived self is a

millstone around the neck..

But dropping self-centredness

is the pre requisite for any Seva.

When doing Seva, set aside Self.

Seek Obscurity,sink in oblivion and revel in it.

As the beneficiary wonders who gave it,

hide and enjoy their pleasant surprise.

Like the Lord does it with us.

He makes us win, through His Grace.

And let us clamour "Oh. I won on my own".

And hides and enjoys that!

Time is running out.

Evil forces are catching up.

Post Copenhagen, we realise

Govts can't concur even on climate issues.

Societies of the west implode and crumble as

everyone in family pursues own private agenda.

And kids need tobe saved from Parents.

Institutions fall like pack of cards every day.

In the confusion, terrorists have a field day.

The only hope for the world is

good NGOs and their few silent workers,

who travel the extra mile and deliver fully.

Next time when we choose to join any Seva,

we shouldn't look for a jamboree-

Excitement, fun and enjoyment-

as part of Seva Package.

That drives the organisers crazy

defocussing from Seva objectives.

Enough of our dope.

Lets hear what Baba has to say on these.

"Do not allow your service activities turn into shops which concentrate on window dressing, in order to attract

attention and patronage.....Service activities in all lands can thrive only through selfless dedication.

Fanfare is a sign of insincerity. Silent, unsullied work alone can appeal...

...Clever propaganda may achieve some temporary results but, in the long run, it will bring disappointment and

disillusion. Like the 'rockets' lit by children on Deepavali night, it will flare up and fizzle down..

Today, we are confronted everywhere by statistics parading quantities and reports in glowing

terms. Do not bother about adding to the number or achieving a target. I value quality, not

quantity. Genuine, intensive devoted service offered in a few villages is more fruitful than casual

contacts and superficial service offered to a large number.

__ Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Discourse at Poornachandra Auditorium on 21-11-1986. SSS Speaks Vol.19

http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume19/sss19-25.pdf

More of Baba's words in the above link..

Seva is the only saviour.

And Silent seva is the only model.

Come.Serve silently and Deserve divine grace.

Sairam

R.Chandrashekar

ChemurDust

ChemburDust does Seva for the VAARKARIs going from Alandi to Pandharpur-July 2010

2009-08-15T07:28:00.000-07:00

20 Sai devotees of Chembur and surrounding area decided to do Seva for the noble Vaarkaris.

The video of seva will be updated shortly. The following is another youtube video showing the Vaarkaris

Vaarkaris of Maharashtra - A video.

New Virus C1M1

2009-08-14T09:52:00.001-07:00

Om Sairam
So much media hype !
As though now in India there are only
two categories of People.
Already infected. And yet tobe infected.
By Swine Flu that is.

All the channels suffer from
Attention Deficiency Syndrome-
and die for our eyeballs !

Some day H1N1 will also go the SARS way.
But the more virulent one- C1M1 virus may not.
It will mutate and keep haunting.
The Consumerism- Materialism Virus(C1M1)
that is ruthlessly infecting our youth.

When infected, the symptoms are apparent.
Their jaundiced eyes see only 'money' in everything.
Eyes pop out when passing through a 'Mall'.
Any foreign brand is music to the ears.
Cellphone treated as one more Sense Organ!!
Heart beats in tandem with Sensex.
Pt.moves around nose up in the air
everytime the company gives a rise.
Drools over the 'dumb' Pizzas
leaving yummy homemade stuff.
Look down upon the 'junta' around
who go to temple and pray
and wait for good days to come.
If so, Boy, its sureshot C1M1 !
YOU ARE INFECTED.

Go for second opinion?
There they will discover more.
'Borrow-n-blow up' itching all over.
No focus. Jumping jobs like surfing channels.
Strong feeling that going to 'States' is the real 'Haj'.
'Get and forget'-"Thanklessness" in bloodstream.
Contempt for elders, a part of Psyche.
What Values? Only Snob Values.

Now confirmed C1M1 !
Rush. 'Gone case' as they say.

Millions are infected by C1M1.
And spreading it fast.
This is the real Pandemic.
H1N1 is in fact a typo done by some dumb typist.
What they actually mean is C1M1.
(Gazette notification for this correction on the way).

No mundane masks can help.
Nor can any worldly vaccines.

We have a duty to rescue these 'infected' ones
before they are washed off by the
harsh winds of Reality.

Is there no Antidote to this deadly C1M1 virus?

Yes. Thank God.There is a vaccine.
Our own version of TAMIFLU.
It also has tobe administered as soon as
the symptom starts without waiting for swab tests.
Read more about it.

'Selfless Seva' is the best antidote for C1M1.
Because it is God's own domain,
He takes special care for the ones
who go for this treatment.

Believe. It works. Works wonders.

If a youth discards a Pizza and 'diverts'
the money to a footpath cancer kid's milk in Parel,
he can see a set of tearful eyes thanking in silence.
That will invoke all the dormant goodness in him
that will fight C1M1 tooth and nail and chase away.

If a youth curtails a couple of 'spins'
in his gas guzzling car with 'friends' and 'diverts'
that money saved, to an abandoned patient
in an old age home for her medicines,
he can see a trembling hand struggling to
join to bless him, the joy, a million joy rides
cannot give in his lifetime.
What C1M1? No virus can ever attack.

At ChemburSeva we have a Self-Help 'Seva' Dispensary
with customised plug-n-play seva models having
On site and offsite deliverables.

So what is our role at ChemburSeva?
Just play the 'last mile'!
Connecting the good souls wanting to help
and the poor souls wanting tobe helped.
We connect and Vanish.

---------

Weekly Visits

Tuesdays,Thursdays and Saturdays(Mulund Samithi)
Home made food packets to footpath cancer patients opp.Tata Parel
Poor cancer patients from all over the country come here for treatment and flat broke
stay on footpath to continue the treatment.
(Shortly converting to all days - "Nithya Narayan Seva")

Onsite: Come and serve.

Offsite: Cook and deliver
(No cash collected. Only food packets)

All Sundays 5 pm - 7 pm ; Slum Youth - Bol Bindaas (English Speaking)/ Personality dev/computer basic

Onsite: Look at the guys wearing tie/gals catwalking with confident look, coming to deliver a talk. And we thought what these poor slum kids can do. (even after seeing slumdog milli...)Help in the class as a volunteer. Correct homework. Interact

Offsite: Discover new projects to engage them meaningfully and also paper work.

Monthly visits

First Sundays : Free Ration distribution to the poor cancer patients in Ghatkopar Sarvodaya Dharamshala.

Onsite: Come and join distribution
Offsite : Paper work relating to this - Patient profiles compilation, Ration accounting etc

Second Sundays- Old Age homes
Come and relate. To the Senior Citizens.
Be a 'Sai Relative' to the abandoned ones.(No money tobe spent. Just love)

Onsite: Join the trip (No charges) and interact with the Seniors and witness their happiness.
Offsite: Make Roti and garlic chutney for a poor 'Mausi'(or similar projects.Ask for details)and send through us.

Third Sundays : Adopted Adivasi Village - Palasdhari ,Near Karjat - Up the hillock

Onsite: Join many Seva activities up the hill(Bus arranged.No charges)
Offsite: Explore projects of economic value for the adivasi villagers. Tabulate the monthly survey details. Paper work. Liaison through Phone.

Fourth Sundays : Children Home near Chembur

Onsite: Join the team conduction classes. Play with them. Or hear their stories patiently and try to help re-unite with their parents through the home authorities following the rules under our scheme"mummy-ke-paas-janeka'

Offsite: There are so much of paper work involved in "mummy-ke-paas-jaaneka' reuniting project.More info on request.

Daily

Daily trips from Ghatkopar Dharamshala to Tata Parel for cancer outpatients for treatment

Daily morning 7 to 7.30 am three vehicles of devotees carry the poor cancer patients who are outpatients undergoing treatment at Tata Parel from Ghatkopar Dharamshala, One set of devotees keep chanting slokas in the vehicle for the quick recovery and peace of mind of the Patients in the vehicle and travel with them and come back at 9 am and goto office.
All days except Sat and Sun.

Onsite: Join the trip and chant any mantra of your choice. or just listen and come back at 9 am.
Offsite: Paper work for the patients guiding them to Trusts for help . As they are from outside Mumbai they dont know much.

Join Swami's mission and silently do 'Selfless Seva'.
How nice it would be if every Sai devotee's home becomes
an ideal home for others to follow.

What can a poor virus do in the energy field
charged by Pure Love that will decimate all evil !

Selfless Seva .The Mother of all Medicines !!

Sairam and Humble Pranaams

At the Lotus feet

R. Chandrashekar
ChemburDust
(erstwhile ChemburSeva)

Life after death? For some there is no life before death!!

2009-06-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

Om Sairam

Can we prepone the homage to a soul,'after-death' to 'before-death'..

The civilised society has by now

standardised the package of responses.

To the old and ailing.

We wrote about the old in the last mail-

Dial-a-DaadiMa.(Thanks for the overwhelming response)

And the next one now-the ailing.

How long to keep looking at the ceiling?

It seems,to merit respect and honour,

you have tobe Up and running-literally.

To move around and not confined to bed,that is.

But nature has designed this product

called 'human body' to depreciate

and switch off faculties one by one

if you are destined to live

longer than the life of the organs.

And that accounts for many of the

unfortunate bed-ridden, the society

has turned insensitive to.

In many households they are

just tolerated and communicated so,

through body language of the ones who serve them.

And many others are not lucky enough

even to receive such signals

and are outrightly abandoned.

Someday they catch up with luck

and are relieved from the defunct body.

And in comes the society- the friends, relatives et al

flashing their photos in obituaries

paying homage copiously. As part of the

standard package of the civilised society.

The departed soul becomes the sole hero

of the one minute drama -

"One-minute-silence-for-departed-soul"

The society has become numb.

Many are immune to the

pain and anguish of the bed-ridden.

Forgetting that we have no access

to the database of our own destiny.

What's in store for us the next moment.

Who knows?

Spending a few minutes of value time

with such unfortunate ones, once in a way

won't rob us of any bigtime resources.

Sitting by their side and talking to them

with Love and care, you can rejuvenate them.

The joy that was forgotten can

regerminate in them-courtesy YOU.

The overstressed youth can find it

as a great de-stresser.

A place where they don't have to

open their laptop and do 'peepeetee'ing (read PPTing)

to score a brownie point or two,

keeping an eye on the boss's eyebrows

or Phatao a gullible customer with

non existing virtues of their products, many times.

By the side of their bed ridden relatives,they can

let their hair down and plain-talk.

Revisit their childhood and how the old, now in bed,

pampered them and enjoyed every bit of their Masti.

And juxtapose that with the world they deal in now,

which punishes every bit of their deviation harshly.

And refuses to acknowlege that they are

just grown-up kids and bound to err at times.

Can we pay homage to a soul while living?

Can we turn the one-min-silence to

one-min-talk once in a way, when they are alive?

Can we just prepone the actions after-death to before-death?

Yes.We have to just prepone a little.

By paying homage to the sick before they die.

Write out all the points you would populate

the Times obituary piece,after their death

and read it out to them when alive.

Oh! how happy they would be hearing

how much you loved them!

Just etch that face in your memory.

(Press ctrl C+ ctrl V mentally)

Thats the real homage.

Dont seek media mileage after death

while leaving them love-starved when alive.

Pay the life-saving visits, loaded with Love.

Join the ChemburSeva team visiting the bedridden.

In the old age home and outside.

Our agenda for the week shows

Uncle Vaswani-90 yrs-an ardent

Sai devotee-regular in satsangs

in good ol days-Now bed ridden.

(Many years ago,he was personally assured by Baba

that He would be by his bedside during the last days.)

Come.

Resurrect the bed-ridden to rediscover life.

Pay homage when alive !

Sairam

ChemburSeva

Chemburseva team in action...

"......Hold the patient by the hand, look into his eyes with compassion......

inquire how you can help him and let tears of gratitude flow

from his freshened eyes. That is the reward......."

---Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Dial-a-DaadiMa

2009-06-15T22:30:00.000-07:00

Om Sairam ..

Dial-a-DaadiMa

Take a span of a decade, which just flies by.

Recall the faces of the senior citizens

interacted with you ten years ago.

Now do a reality check - how they are.

Many must have wilted like sunflowers after sunset.

Age catches up. People,even friends, move away finding

that they don't make economic sense anymore.

Many savvy youth in their household

who pole vaulted to prosperity in IT joy ride,

consider the old not fitting the aesthetics of the house.

For some, they are not Strategic fit

in their relationship matrix.

The Dadaji, the Mousi, the Naani , Daadima ...

They can't relate to the laptoppians..

Who, through a fingertouch on mousepad

control the 'millions' of others!

Their workplace teaches ferociously

to measure everything in monetised metrics.

Can you encash this relationship-

securitise and sell..

Dadaji...Mousi...Naani....

Then what is the big deal,they would say.

"We are abandoned. No one calls.

They dont realise that everyone gets old sometime"

Where are the good ol days when

their mere presence was adding so much strength

to the young in the family who constantly

looked up to them for guidance and strength.

When, as little ones, you jumped around in ecstasy

on seeing a Mousi who appeared from nowhere

with clear plans of overstaying your hospitality!

Love ruled.

Hearts basked in the warmth of relationship.

Now we need a major swing in Sensex

to get even a fraction of that happiness

and that too swings back during its return trip!

Seniors who cannot be economically productive

find it difficult to relate to this mad house

the world has become.

And that pathetic condition drove ChemburSeva to

initiate a small step "Dial-a-DaadiMa"

to sensitise the youth.

As many would be aware by now,

we conduct classes for the Slum Youth

for English Speaking(Bol Bindaas),Personality dev and computer basics.

The classes are conducted every Sunday 5 pm to 7 pm.

Around 25 youth participate regularly.

Rain or shine, the classes would never stop.

As a part of the curriculum, Values are taught

through many small projects.

Midnight scholars - Active engagement

Recently a new project was announced-

"Dial-a-DaadiMa".

There are many who are not in the habit

of talking regularly to the seniors

in the family who stay away

from them in distant towns and villages.

The youth have to identify one such senior

(Not only Daadi Ma, any senior citizen in the family)

whom they have not spoken to for many months/years

and should connect to them (may be -care of tel num .)

and speak to them with love and

enquire about their welfare in detail.

And share that experience in the next class briefly.

The entire cost of the call (as some are STD)

was offered tobe reimbursed by us

on producing call details.(Just a declaration)

And thus started "Dial-a-DaadiMa".

To the generation that is overfed with

adlines -Dial-a-Pizza and the like,

dialling a DaadiMa was amusing at first!

But the heart warming stories that were filed thereafter,

by the young ones who discovered the

new Joy of Love that overflew the hearts,

would move even the stone-hearted.

While explaining the way their loved ones

were pleasantly surprised on hearing their little ones' voice

after many months/years, the boys and girls

revisited their precious childhood

and momentarily re-lived.

Dial-a-Daadima experience being shared with the class.

Wearing tie is compulsory for these slum youth.

We shall be rewarding the ones who shared the

touching stories of divine Love -

A trophy with the emblem "Dial-a-Daadima"-

This is our brand equity - Oh! Corporate honchos!

It is beyond your Valuation Metrics.

DaadiMa's smile commands Premium in our world.

Instilling hope in the heart of an abandoned Mousi

is a KPI- (Key Performance Indicator)!

Ensuring that we don't err in taking care of senior citizens

is a Six Sigma initiative!!

We shall strive to undo every bit of

corporatisation of these young kids' lives

through your wicked ads and promos!!!

In a world battered by problems,

Money may 'solve' a few.

But divine Love can 'dissolve' all.

It is a universal solvent,

that we set out to promote silently.

Come.

Discover the joy of sharing Divine Love.

Dial-a-DaadiMa !

Sairam

ChemburSeva

" These days we are ignoring the elders, considering them tobe not useful to society. This is not correct.

..There is immense power in these elders that can be harnessed for the good of the society. ...We must

nourish and nurture these valuable assets and take good care of them."

--- Sri Sathya Sai Baba

History will record -Indian Peninsula was three-sides-Ocean but all-sides-violence..

2009-03-20T11:51:00.000-07:00

This is not poetry but plain prose formatted for easy readability.
The views expressed in this are personal.
To stop receiving the mails send back a blank mail with sub: 'Stop Mails'.

Om Sri Sairam

History will record -
Indian Peninsula was three-sides-Ocean
but all-sides-violence,,,,
Every Mao strike sends an SMS to society.And
every bomb blast sends a missed call.
With a subtle message -"You could be the next".
Gone are the days of our
sitting in the lap of luxury,
sipping the morning coffee,
poring over the hot stories
of violence and mayhem across the country.
As long as the
milkmen and maid servants arrive in time..
and taps don't dry... and school buses ply,
we feel our World is safe.
But not anymore.
Our apathy and indifference
silently slipped into logical end.
Now violence is ringing our door bell.

Look at the neighbouring countries.
In one,a whole generation is lost fighting.
In another,Bomb blasts replaced morning alarms.
Freedom is removed even from Dictionary- you know where..
At this rate future students will read-
'Indian Peninsula was three sides Ocean
but all sides violence.'
No Govt can police every square foot.
Nor any Politician uproot violence in toto.
It is a logistical impossibility.
Seek solution elsewhere
Believe.India has changed.
The New India demands Action at all levels.
That doesn't exclude us.
We need spiritual strength, as
other modes failed to stretch and save.
World over, Govts go under. Icons crumble. Leaders fold up
before ruthless violence.
Even atheists wonder-
'why not try'their God'for a change..'
Every Avatar is an Extension Counter of God
within radar range of our Sense Organs,
for Darshan,sparshan and Sambhashan.
But after that what??
After reading Spiritual texts - what?
After listening to/singing inspiring bhajans - what?
After this extensive 'lubrication'
in 'Soul Service Centres',what do we do with it?
Time to go back to society and serve.
And make a difference with 'Applied Spirituality'.
To counter vilolence in concrete terms,
spiritually inclined should stir out of the barracks.
And go beyond mere Pooja Paat and serve
the poor and needy. Big time.
Mere intent can never be the solution
unless coupled with concrete action.
In neighbourhood slums and villages,
the neglected lot is ganging up
against the organised society
Ain't there enough good samaritans
to address their grievances..
Not enough crusaders? NGOs?
Of course there are millions of feet on street.
Of NGO men in action, if we go by stats
According to Indiaonline ,there are
about 2 million NGOs in India
working on a broad spectrum-
Street Children,old,youth,villagers,
slum dwellers,landless labour,tribals etc.etc
Even if a fraction of this is effective,
we could have replicated Heaven here
and put Moksha under Exchange offer
with the 'Abused lives' !

Fed up with life? Lifetime offer !
Exchange your Abused Lives
with direct Moksha package...

Then what went wrong?
Why this disconnect from the mainstream,
of the misguided youth and rural mass
revolting against the local systems
resulting in brutal massacre.

View from top hides all.
Till the flame reaches the sky
the heat can't be felt up there.
But by that time, it's already
a heap of ash below.
Get down to brass tacks
and get 'dusty' with us.
Shake hands with Reality.
And discover the truth.

Being Dust, we are freeflowing
to every nook and corner
and see a thing or two and
post our stories like the one below
to poor "you" in our digital captivity !!
(You can 'dust us off' anyway)

Some NGOs do very good work.
Kudos to those Angels.
We would love to extend
same salutations to others as well..but...

ChemburDust tiptoed and peeped in..
to know where it really pinches..
It's revealing...

For many, the distress signals of the poor
are new heartbeats to work on
and resuscitate themselves.

It is as though Poverty in society is just
another opportunity to build a career with.

They have discarded the Seva template
of Gandhi,Vinobha and even Anna Hazares.

Their new template begins with
animated Powerpoints
of appropriated statistics.

Even if it is a simple hut, they
show in seven different angles.

Read the rest of the rules..

Jargonise at the drop of a hat.
Don't forget to add 'Asia Pacific'
even if it is about a tribal village,
as it gives an international 'feel'.
And audience hits a new 'high'
every time they hear that.

The 3-D image of plight of poor
in 'Asia Pacific' villages in comparison to West...

And Graph is a must.
Even to show Zero !

You may see nothing in this graph.
Actually it shows the income of the village
for last 10 years that is near zero.

Difficult to get resource persons?
Follow Corporates, who use
fancy designations to arrest attrition. Like-
calling even a Sweeper - AVP(Brooms) !

Eversince he was re-designated as AVP(Brooms),
he keeps even the outside premises clean..

Bring in all such tricks
learnt in corporate corridors.
Build a model with measurable metrics-
something like 'Compassion Index" !
That can glorify the role of the giver
in an ecosystem of perennial Poverty.

And use Angrezi abundantly.
Don't be too naive.
Realise that the official language
of a high end NGO is Angrezi.
Risk getting downgraded by
mouthing any Indian lingo.

Wear designer dress that silently conveys-
'My work is slightly 'hatke', for the poor'.
My NGO works on poor depressed 'Sharks'
and cheer them up mid-sea

Be seen among the beneficiaries
in Picasas,You tubes,
Face books and Orkuts.
Update tweeters and amplify in Net.
Manage good Press. Maximise mileage.
From where is the fund for next year going to come.
What growth rate will please the donors?

Wish that the Poverty and Pain linger for ever.
They are the drivers of this model.
They need to be protected from getting extinct.
Think of the two million NGOs and their staff.
They can't lose their livelihood in a suicidal pursuit
of some fancy idea like Eradication of Poverty etc.
Use same logic used for not imposing Prohibition. Extrapolate.

So much for the smarties who double up to redeem society.
(Again salutations to the good ones doing silent work.)

The poor villagers have seen through the game.
They no longer believe that such flashy NGOs can deliver.
They see them coming to dump goodies and vanish in a jiffy
after digitally capturing all angles.

Ok. Ok. NGO guys.
Take snaps showing us happy after what you gave..

For the present Gen of the poor, the time is running out.
They dont want to be unpaid Actors of our
Project 'Poverty' in Village Theatres.
And let others party over their Misery.

See how I drew your attention, which we couldn't for ages,
by this single act of violence. So much so
even sleepy ChemburDust is writing about us.

They see the ugly wealth of urbanites showing all over.
Inciting them to 'go and snatch' if not given.
Colas and cellphones reached villages,where
footprint of potable water and Power couldn't.

"Hello.Iam busy fetching water.
Will talk to you later.."

Instigated by the 'feed-the-greed' ads,
stoking the flame of consumerism,
every village youth dreams of
a mobile and two wheeler as starters.
Tobe followed by more..
Which their education and economy don't support.
And other support systems around, fail to address. Then
evil forces cakewalk and takeover.
Might becomes right.And
violence appears as the logical next step.

Before.... After....

Citywale..Your feed-the-greed ads in TV are too tempting..

In their impatience, we see
many missed opportunities to redeem,
by the misengaged socialites
moving around with nose up in the air
flashing NGO tags.

But everything is not lost.
After a full circle and
many trial-and-error handshakes,
the poor realise that their only hope is -
the real spiritual ones
who believe in their Master and silently serve.

The Religion neutral and Spiritual Positive.
Those who see God by serving humanity.
Though handful,they make a difference.
They don't airdrop and vanish
but foot it out to reach and serve.

But so much need tobe done
by all these foot soldiers.

Beyond Powerpoint graphs and jazzy Jamboree
begin the real 'seva-life'.

Seva is self-effacing.
It begins with Sacrifice, however small.
It is not to add one more identity.

But dissolving the false identity, we are
already burdened with.

It's time to stop all peripheral Bakwas
and go for serious engagement
with the poor and needy.

And reassure that we are around
to handhold and elevate.

Stop Powerpointing.Speak their lingo.
We need to reinvent ourselves
and Reinstate the lost virtues.
The pristine form, full of divine vibes,
that will fire the values from within.
Achievable only through constant Sadhana.

Its time our youngmen and women,
bear-hugged our country cousins
in villages and slums
exhibiting extraordinary "Bhaichara" and bonhomie.
With Love that transmutes and transforms.

Before they give up, let us wake up.
And Reach the venue of Real Action.

Sairam

R.Chandrashekar
ChemburDust

N.B The Midnight Seva for the SSC students studying overnight in a Chembur Chimney Garden
is over and the trip to Siddhi Vinayak by walk from Chembur is scheduled on Sun 21 Mar morning 5 am.
Wearing a T-Shirt - "Om Sri Sairam - Midnight Scholars", all the students will go by walk to have Siddhivinayak darshan.
Interested ones can join the venue directly.
As a continuing engagement with the slum youth, our free classes for English Speaking, Personality Dev and Basic computer will start from Sun 21 Mar evening 5 - 7 pm at Dhanalaxmi bank premises Opp Hotel Malhar Chembur and run continuously throughout the year.

An outstanding video by a Sai devotee

2009-03-11T00:11:00.000-07:00

An Amazing Video on Spirituality and Science and Swami in Part III .

Not to be missed. Visuals are too good. By a Sai devotee

Click Here on this

2009-03-10T00:11:00.000-07:00

Ganga Maiya .. Not Ganga Bhaiya...

Om Sairam

The country has taught us many ways of worshipping Womanhood.

It honoured them as Bharat Mata (not Bharat Pitha),

Ganga Maiya (Not Ganga Bhaiya) etc.

Now it seems such a noble idea is relegated

to academic circuits, enabling the students to earn a couple of marks

if they spell them right or a few more

if they write about it in detail,depending on teachers' mood.

Going by the stories of atrocities against women,

as carried by the Newspapers and channels almost as daily menu,

it seems as though the entire country has only two major groups.

Active Perpetrators and Passive readers

dying to know more on them through media.

The left over minuscule are helpless.

Can we do a reality check.

Have our mothers, over centuries,

diluted their Mamta ??

And whether that in anyway led to dilution of the Reverence?

No. As you may discover below in the new Chinna Katha'Live'.

Motherhood is intact. Pristine. Wholesome.

Against all odds it throbs ceaselessly even now.

The media should target the perpetrators

to push them to see these values.

And mentally pay reverential tribute

every time they encounter a woman.

Including the young ones who are future mothers.

And also the girl children who are li'l deities

springing alive from Saundarya Lahiri .

If this divine vision is blurred in a country,disaster is certain.

But unfortunately we see a big Industry at work

to bundle women with media objects and deliver.

To derive media mileage. TRP ratings.

Cut. And over to our own ..Seva Lab.. the Footpath

opp.Tata memorial Hospital, where life teaches new lessons

as we interact with them everyday while transporting cancer

patients from Sarvodaya Ghatkopar to Tata mem Parel daily.

The 'Chinna Katha Live' - No.10

Villagers in Khutauna,Dist Madhubani

would never have imagined that some day the village's

name would get into Tata Memorial Hospital's Registry

as the native place of the most pathetic child cancer patient-

Master Rajaram Vinod Sah. All of 7 years.

Bubbly and playful. Son of Vinod Sah, landless labourer.

All that the poor Sah family could aspire for

is two square meals for all three children

-two girls of 10 and 8 and Rajaram, 7yrs.

Destiny doesn't stand ghost of a chance

if it has to physically catch little Rajaram

as he can scoot away in a snap, as we tried and found.

But Destiny's dirty trick worked.

It caught him unawares.

Not once but twice over.

Just a year back, little Rajaram fell over burning oil,

got burnt and recovered with scar all over.(see photo above)

Before the wounds healed, destiny struck again,

as though with a vengeance.

This time with a more deadly blow of Cancer in Pelvic region.

The child was traumatised.

Forced to carry a catheter and a plastic bag

attached to the body, the child would

still run around and play as though

asking Destiny "So what" and

singing "Catch me if you can"...

As it happens in most of the poor Indian homes,

the poor father Vinod Sah was shattered.

While the illiterate mother Lalita devi

had to bear the full brunt.

But she was determined.

The child was moved to Tata mem. Parel on 22.1.09.

And landed on the infamous Footpath,

the last Port of Call of

Destiny's conducted tour of agony.

The war was declared. The mother was not to give in.

Typical Poor Indian Mother.

Whose only weapon is Sahen Sheelta.

(But God has assured victory to the ones who possess that)

She set up a make-shift kitchen in the new found

civilisation around her in the footpath which looked

like some variant of Mohejo Daro and Harappa.

The little fellow made lot of friends in the meantime

and was always playing around holding his

plastic bag connected to the body in one hand.

That was precisely when our ChemburSeva team spotted him.

Mother Lalita devi was determined to do her best to save the child

and sought our help in keeping the show going.

We agreed to provide the basic essentials including medicines

prescribed by the doctors and guide her to tap the doors of Trusts.

A fortnight ago, destiny wanted to have some fun

at the cost of already battered Rajaram.

A rat-bite on the footpath saw him again in the hospital,

now for a different reason.

To add to that,during that time only, a coconut fell over his mother

from a footpath tree and she got injured though not fatally.

It is as though everything in nature is running errands for Destiny

ganging up against little Rajaram.

But Lalita devi is more determined, with each stroke of misfortune.

She says that she feels nice and confident

on seeing our members of ChemburSeva.

We make it a point to visit her every morning (except weekends)

during our daily trip to Tatas.

It is a Sangarsh of an unfortunate Indian mother.

Amazingly she never complains about others indifference,

Govts apathy or how it is pointless to live in such a wretched world etc

as the Metro Males mouth in English at the first encounter with a small tragedy.

She only knows to put her best foot forward to save Rajaram.

And fight it out with her only weapon - Immense Patience-SahenSheelta.

Like Lalita devi, there are many women

who silently suffer but dont give up.

Mothers who have to raise sick children like Rajaram,

Mothers who have drunkard husbands refusing to redeem,

Mothers who have no steady family income

but very very steady expenditure month after month,

Mothers who get no in-laws support nor husbands support

but a mega family to support,

Mothers who are clueless about their college going kids

who almost run a mutiny against mothers but cant share it with anyone

Lalita devi and litttle Rajaram on footpath (husbands blissfully unaware),

Mothers whose EMIs don't allow them to leave the jobs

while the health doesnt allow them to continue,

The woes of Indian women are endless...

It is their Stree Shakti that keeps the show going.

And such noble and divine Shakti is portrayed in the media

to the avaricious consumers as one more consumable item.

And the society has no issues.

Not even a whimper.

As Lalita devi is getting ready to cook her next meal in the footpath

advising Rajaram to stay away from Rats,

we move on with a heavy heart

saluting the indomitable spirit in her

that is the essence of real India.

And from our inside raised a silent "Jai Ho",

only we could hear.

What has happened to the wisdom enshrined in our scriptures?

What has happened to the noble examples of the 'great men and women of the epics

and puraanas? Since they are ignored, life has become dry, barren and miserable. Restore them

and follow their teachings; life will again become useful and purposeful. - Sri Sahtya Sai Baba

Sairam

ChemburSeva

N.B.

Anyone interested in directly reaching help to Master Rajaram can

find him playing near the side gate of Tata memorial hospital Parel

right under the bridge connecting two buildings.

He likes toys, chupa-chupi game and complains of heat on his

clean shaven head all the time after the third chemo.

Reboot India - A presentation on Indian traditional values

2009-03-10T00:10:00.000-07:00

यात्री footfall

2009-03-09T16:10:00.000-07:00

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