December 27 – 31, 1983

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.