The Fifth All India Conference of Office Bearers of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation was held in Abbotsbury, Madras, on the 22nd and 23rd of December, 1971. Baba hoisted the Prasanthi Flag at 9.00 am on the 22nd to inaugurate the Conference and delivered His Inaugural Address. In His Discourse to the delegates on 23rd morning, Baba spelt out the guidelines for utilising the Sai Organisation as an instrument for individual liberation and social upliftment. He then spent some time with the delegates from each State. Prof. V. K. Gokak, Sri P. K. Sawant and Sri Indulal Shah spoke during the evening session. In His Concluding Address, Baba stressed the need for forbearance and tolerance. The Bal Vikas children of Tamil Nadu presented a few cultural programmes in the Divine Presence. He blessed the delegates at 8.00 am on the 24th morning with a photograph with Himself.

At this Conference, services in the fields of Health and Education were introduced. The name of Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vihar changed to Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas, and the term for “Bal Vikas Teacher” was changed to “Bal Vikas Guru”. Baba emphasised that various units/wings of the Organisation e.g. Bhajan Mandali, Study Circle, Seva Dal, Mahila Vibhag and Bal Vikas have to work under the auspices of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi and not independently.