Celebration of Universal Human Values – A Report
Organised by the Centre for Sri Sathya Sai Studies (CSSSS), SSSIHL, in association with the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations (SSSSO) under the aegis of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSSCT).
Held as part of the Birth Centenary Year Celebrations of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, this five-day programme brought together over 2500 participants—students, youth, educators, administrators, and professionals. With a series of talks, panel discussions, cultural performances, and spiritual sessions, the celebration reinforced the relevance and practice of the five cardinal human values—Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love, and Non-violence—as the guiding force for individual, societal, and global transformation.
Days 1–3: Summer Course in Indian Culture and Human Values
Day 1: 6 July 2025
The inaugural session at the Poornachandra Auditorium commenced with auspicious Vedic chanting by students from the Anantapur Campus. Prof. B Raghavendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor, SSSIHL, delivered the welcome address, followed by Dr. U Suma, Chairperson, Centre for Sri Sathya Sai Studies (CSSSS), who provided the contextual framework for the event. The inaugural address on Human Values in Leadership was delivered by Sri R J Rathnakar, Managing Trustee, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSSCT), setting the tone for the week ahead. The session concluded with a benedictory message featuring Divine excerpts from Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
The afternoon featured an interactive quiz on Bhagawan’s Life and Message, drawing enthusiastic participation from student teams. The evening session at Sai Kulwant Hall included Vedam chanting and devotional music as part of the Ashadi Ekadashi celebrations, infusing a deeply spiritual atmosphere. The day concluded with a reflective satsang/parayanam session, where students and youth shared life-transforming experiences with Bhagawan, anchoring the event in personal spiritual introspection.
Day 2: 7 July 2025
The second day began with Vedam chanting by students of the Nandigiri Campus, followed by a powerful address on Human Values in Governance by Sri Vijay Menon, renowned corporate trainer and leadership expert. His talk urged participants to embrace integrity, responsibility, and service in their professional and personal lives.
A panel discussion on Human Values for Sustainable Development was moderated by Dr. Subramanian S Iyer, Chairperson, Sri Sathya Sai Centre for Sustainable Development. The expert panel included Prof. Saurabh Amin (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA), Prof. Sairam Bhat (National Law School of India University), Dr. Malathy Srinivasan (Innovation Lead, Pfizer), Sri Gunaranjan Turaga (Green Sense Sustainability), and Ms. Lakshmi Pranuti (Senior Community Outreach Associate, WELL Labs). The discussion explored the application of human values in environmental stewardship, law, industry, and grassroots action.
In the evening session at Sai Kulwant Hall, students from the Brindavan Campus presented a recap of the morning’s key points, followed by a profound talk on Human Values in Epics by Padmashree Nivedita Bhide, All India Vice President of Vivekananda Kendra. Her narrative drew from India’s spiritual epics to convey timeless lessons of dharma, devotion, and selflessness. The day ended with a vibrant cultural performance titled ‘Rama Katha’ by the Prasanthi Bhajan Group, followed by bhajans and a post-dinner satsang on the impact of Bhagawan’s life and teachings.
Day 3: 8 July 2025
Day 3 was marked by themes of introspection and innovation. The morning began with Vedic chanting, followed by an inspiring session by Sri Sai Shravanam, acclaimed music producer and founder of Resound India. His talk on Human Values in Music illustrated how sound and rhythm, when guided by spiritual values, can uplift hearts and transform minds.
The next segment featured reflective student presentations on the theme “Why do Bharatiyas do what they do?”, which offered a cultural deep-dive into the rationale and values embedded in Indian traditions and rituals.
In the evening at Sai Kulwant Hall, Dr. (Prof.) U S Vishal Rao, a reputed surgical oncologist, delivered a deeply moving talk on Human Values in Health. His address highlighted the role of compassion, empathy, and ethics in medical practice and public health systems.
A key highlight was the unveiling of the Sri Sathya Sai Research & Innovation Foundation (SSSRIF) logo in the Divine Presence by Sri R J Rathnakar (Managing Trustee, SSSCT), Sri K Chakravarthi (Chancellor, SSSIHL), Prof. B Raghavendra Prasad (Vice-Chancellor, SSSIHL), Sri Pavan Kumar (CEO, SSSRIF), Sri Nimish Pandya (All India President, SSSSO), and other senior members of the Institute.
The day concluded with a cultural presentation titled “Edifice of Eternal Education” by the students of the Anantapur Campus, illustrating Bhagawan’s vision of holistic, values-based education, followed by devotional bhajans and Arati.
Sri Sathya Sai Human Values Conference – The Clarion Call for Universal Transformation
Day 4: 9 July 2025
The fourth day featured the Sri Sathya Sai Human Values Conference, jointly organised by CSSSS, SSSIHL, and SSSSO, drawing together spiritual leaders, academicians, public administrators, and students.
The morning inaugural session at Sai Kulwant Hall began with Vedic chanting and ceremonial lamp lighting by dignitaries including Hon’ble Sri Haribhau Kishanrao Bagde, Governor of Rajasthan, and Dr. Bhagwat Karad, Member of Rajya Sabha. Dr. U Suma introduced the conference’s intent and relevance, followed by Sri Nimish Pandya, All India President, SSSSO, who called upon the youth to embody values in everyday life. Swami Sarvottamananda, Vice-Chancellor of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI), delivering the inaugural address, offered a deep Vedantic perspective, presenting love as the central unifying value. In his keynote address, Hon’ble Sri Haribhau Kishanrao Bagde, Governor of Rajasthan, spoke of Bhagawan’s legacy in reviving ancient educational ideals and demonstrating value-based governance through initiatives such as free healthcare and water supply.
The highlight of the session was the Unveiling of the Prasanthi Declaration on Universal Human Values, marking a collective commitment to universal transformation through values. The Declaration was unveiled by Hon’ble Sri Haribhau Kishanrao Bagde, Governor of Rajasthan, in the presence of Dr. Bhagwat Karad, Member, Rajya Sabha, Sri R J Rathnakar, Managing Trustee, SSSCT, Sri K Chakravarthi, Chancellor, SSSIHL, Prof. B Raghavendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor, SSSIHL, Swami Sarvottamananda, Vice-Chancellor, RKMVERI, Sri Nimish Pandya, President, SSSSO – India, Sri I S N Prasad, Trustee, SSSCT, Sri S S Naganand, Trustee, SSSCT and Dr. U Suma, Chairperson, CSSSS, SSSIHL.
The post-lunch academic sessions at the Poornachandra Auditorium featured a series of scholarly and practical discourses:
- Dr. Gururaj Karajagi, Chairman, Academy for Creative Teaching, spoke on modelling values through action.
- Prof. Sudhakar Venukapalli, Dean, Chanakya University, highlighted the necessity of value integration in building a cohesive society.
- Prof. Madhusudan J V, University of Hyderabad, elaborated on values in personal ethics and professional environments.
- Sri Ritesh Kumar Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary of Finance, Government of Karnataka, offered insights into ethical governance.
The valedictory session featured a ceremonial procession of the Summer Course participants and a student-led summary of the day’s insights. In his closing address, Sri Nimish Pandya emphasised that values must not remain academic ideals but must become life’s guiding principles. The conference concluded with devotional singing and Arati, encapsulating a shared aspiration for a value-driven society.
View Recording (Morning, 9 July)
View Recording (Evening, 9 July)
Guru Poornima Celebrations
Day 5: 10 July 2025
On the sacred occasion of Guru Poornima, Prasanthi Nilayam was immersed in devotion and reverence for the Eternal Jagat Guru—Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
The morning session began with Vedam chanting and a moving Guru Vandana by the Prasanthi Bhajan Group, followed by a heartfelt welcome address by Sri S S Naganand, Trustee, SSSCT. Sri Nimish Pandya, All-India President, SSSSO, reflected on the essence of surrender and gratitude through the lives of Sant Tukaram and Lord Vitthala. A special highlight was the distribution of farm equipment to 100 farmers from Sri Sathya Sai District, by Sri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Rural Development, Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India, symbolising Bhagawan’s commitment to rural upliftment. The Hon’ble Minister then shared his heartfelt reflections on his first visit to Prasanthi Nilayam. Sri Satya Kumar Yadav, Hon’ble Minister of Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education, Government of Andhra Pradesh, spoke on collaborative efforts in rural development. The session concluded with a Divine Discourse from Bhagawan and uplifting bhajans and Arati.
The evening featured a soulful devotional concert by renowned playback singer Sri Hariharan, whose heartfelt renditions elevated the spiritual atmosphere. The day concluded with bhajans and Mangala Arati, leaving the hearts of devotees filled with profound love, gratitude, and renewed spiritual inspiration.
View Recording (Morning, 10 July)
View Recording (Evening, 10 July)
Conclusion
The Celebration of Universal Human Values was not merely an academic event or cultural showcase, but a sacred collective sadhana to internalise and manifest Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s message of love and service. It reaffirmed that values are not to be studied in isolation but to be lived, practiced, and radiated. Whether through governance, education, music, healthcare, or rural development, the celebration demonstrated how universal human values remain the enduring foundation for individual excellence and societal harmony.