Baba inaugurated the First International Seva Dal Conference in Poornachandra Auditorium at Prasanthi Nilayam on 18^th November, 1984. He also inaugurated at the Hill View Amphitheatre on the 18^th, an exhibition entitled “Sathya Sai Darshan,” organised as part of the Conference.

Baba accompanied by Sri. S. B. Chavan, Union Minister for Defence, came in a procession to the Auditorium. Sri Indulal Shah welcomed Sri. S. B. Chavan and the delegates. Sri V. Srinivasan, Vice Chairman of the World Council; Sri V. K. Narasimhan and Sri S. B. Chavan addressed the delegates at the inaugural session. In His Inaugural Address, Baba exhorted the Seva Dal to carry on their service activities in a spirit of sacred dedication, without regard for race, religion, class or caste.

During the joint session at Poornachandra Auditorium on the 20^th, Baba went around the hall and blessed the delegates, occasionally speaking to some of them. He gave His Valedictory Message at Poornachandra Auditorium on the 21^st. He explained the meaning of village adoption and said that the Sai Organisation should meet all the needs of the villages in the areas of education, water supply, health, roads etc., and the spiritual and moral needs of the villagers. He concluded His Discourse with a Bhajan.

Baba witnessed an unforgettable display of gymnastic feats by students, right from the primary classes all the way up to postgraduates at the vast Hill View Stadium on the 21^st evening. He not only sat through the entire programme, but also took part in the last item of the evening, as the helmsman in a boat who helps the devotees cross the stormy sea of worldly life. As Baba alighted from the boat when the lights came on, His appearance was a very delightful surprise to the vast gathering.

During this conference, various wings of the Organisation such as Bhajan Mandali, Seva Dal, Study Circle, Mahila Vibhag, Mahila Seva Dal, Bal- Vikas etc., were classified into three wings : (1) Spiritual Wing (2) Service Wing, and (3) Educational Wing.

A five-day World Conference of Bal Vikas teachers and students was inaugurated in Poornachandra Auditorium by Baba at 9.30 am on 27^th December 1983. The Conference was held between the 27^th and the 31^st of December. Major General Mahadevan, State President of Tamil Nadu Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, welcomed Baba and the delegates. He stated in his speech that it was a red-letter day in the history of the Bal Vikas Movement. In His Inaugural Address Baba pointed out how Bharatiya culture had survived the vicissitudes of centuries, while many ancient civilisations had disappeared. It was the duty of the Bharatiyas to preserve this heritage and live up to the values represented by this culture. He gave the details of the cyclone that had hit Puttaparthi the previous night. A sudden gale brought down the Shamianas (tents) where the Bal Vikas students were housed. Children were trapped underneath the collapsed tents. However, the only words that escaped their mouths were “Sai Ram”. They started singing Bhajans immediately. He pointed out that the Bal Vikas training had trained them to face such ordeals with courage and faith.

Baba addressed the Bal Vikas and Pre-Seva Dal students in a special session on 30^th morning at Poornachandra Auditorium. He told the students that success in any endeavour could be secured only if effort was coupled with Divine Grace. Baba announced that all the expenses of their stay at Prasanthi Nilayam would be borne by the Central Trust. He blessed the Bal Vikas and Pre-Seva Dal students with Padanamaskar on 31^st morning in the open ground around the Prasanthi Mandir, and distributed clothes to all the children and teachers. During the Valedictory function in Poornachandra Auditorium on 31^st evening, He blessed the assembly with His New Year Message.

On 28^th, Baba inaugurated an international exhibition of paintings and handicrafts done by Bal Vikas students in the foyer of Sathya Sai College. He witnessed the cultural programmes and an international rally by 7,000 children at Hill View Stadium on 29^th and 30^th December.

The 5^th All India Conference of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Dal was held at Prasanthi Nilayam from 19^th to 21^st November, 1981. Nearly 3,000 delegates from all over India attended the Conference. In His Inaugural Discourse, Baba exhorted the Seva Dal members to take Seva as Sadhana and an offering to the Lord. He blessed the delegates with His Valedictory Address on 21^st November. During the three days of the conference, the students of Sri Sathya Sai Schools from Ooty, Delhi and Puttaparthi presented cultural programmes at Poornachandra Auditorium in the evenings.