First World Youth Conference July 16 – 18, 1997

Sri Sathya Sai World Youth Conference was held at Prasanthi Nilayam from 16^th to 18^th July, 1997. Over 2,000 delegates from 66 countries and 10,000 delegates from India participated in the Conference. Baba lit the lamps in the Sai Kulwant Hall and inaugurated the Conference on 16^th morning after the March Past by the representatives from all the participating countries. Baba then delivered His Inaugural Address. On the 17^th evening, He addressed the delegates in Poornachandra Auditorium. A musical programme was presented by the Indian devotees in the Divine presence. Baba delivered His Valedictory Message in Sai Kulwant Hall on 18^th morning. In the evening a musical programme based on human values was presented by the 15 world regions. Each of them presented one song.

On 19^th July, Baba blessed the youth delegates with a special Discourse in Poornachandra Auditorium, covering a wide ground indicating the spiritual basis on which a new harmonious and cooperative world should be organised. The devotees from Bengal presented a drama based on the life of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda that evening. Baba blessed all the artists. The conference concluded with Mangala Aarati.