Satsang Seva Journal

The village of Zendewadi in Purandar Taluka, Pune welcomed the 75th birthday celebration of Sri M on 10 November 2024 with a vow to protect the environment through a MyTree plantation drive in the spirit of maitri - amity and harmonious coexistence with Nature. Both young and senior MyTree environmental stewards, joined hands to plant 75  saplings of native species like Peepal, Neem, Kanchan, and Arjun, helping to maintain the ecological balance and protecting biodiversity. Drip irrigation was also installed to ensure ample water supply to the tender saplings. To participate in MyTree plantation drives, please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org .

Commemorating Sri M's 75th birthday, MyTree volunteers at Bengaluru held a successful tree plantation drive on 9 November 2024. Together, they transformed the DCP CAR campus at Cottonpet, into a budding sanctuary of 750 saplings. In the early light of a Saturday morning, they moved quietly, guided by a purpose that was bigger than themselves—an honoring, a tribute to Sri M and his dream of a world both cleaner and greener, where life would spring forth from the soil itself.  Each volunteer, from the eldest with hands worn and wise, to the youngest—a bright-eyed girl of just ten—took to the earth with saplings cradled in their hands, planting them as one plants hope. They pressed each root down with gentle conviction, breathing life into the ground. Beneath a looming flyover, in what was once a rank, forgotten landfill, they began their transformation—a sanctuary of green waiting to rise and reach for the sun. And in every sapling, there was a whisper of tomorrow—a promise, green an...

Preet Paatshala, located amidst a less-privileged housing colony in Bakhtawar Chowk, Gurgaon is a non-formal learning centre for children of migrant workers. Since its inception in October 2021, it has served as a humane sanctuary for migrant workers and their children post COVID-19. The learning programme is now seamlessly managed by a dedicated teacher who devotes two hours every day, imparting basic education to the children, preparing them for future 'professional development' at other nonprofit/ government schools.  Satsang Seva Mission (SSM) volunteers at Delhi, in association with the 'The Gratitude Project' of the Kundan Trust for Education celebrated Sri M's 75th birthday with these children on 9 November 2024. The ambience was charged with melodious chants of the Guru Stuti and other bhajans sung by volunteers and children alike. The little ones were also educated on basic yoga asanas . The heartwarming festivities included distribution of nutritious foo...

The Sacred Grove at Chowdepalle, Andhra Pradesh is an inspiring centre focused on exploring the all-pervading consciousness. It also encompasses within its ambit a wellness centre, yoga, study and understanding of India's ancient spiritual scriptures, as well as plantation of indigenous trees. The 75th birthday celebrations of Sri M on 6 November included a MyTree plantation drive. The MyTree initiative of The Satsang Foundation (TSF) is founded on the premise of creating and maintaining a green environment in the spirit of maitri - amity and harmonious coexistence - with Nature. Saplings of tree species such as Pongamia, Tubebia, and Gulmohar were planted along the village roads while Tamarind, Mango, and flowering bushes were planted inside the campus. To know more about The Sacred Grove, please write to connect@satsang-foundation.org .

Sri M's 75th birthday was celebrated with a MyTree plantation drive of 75 saplings at Swami Gopalananda Theertha Saraswathy Vidyanikethan, Aluva near Ernakulam. The tree species included Jackfruit, Mango, Guava, Neem, and Teak.   More than 100 school children participated in the plantation drive, planting each sapling with a sense of reverence and purpose. As the final sapling was gently placed in the soil, a profound silence filled the air, marking a powerful tribute to Sri M's vision of maitri - amity and harmonious coexistence with Nature.  Sweet laddoos brought much joy to the students as they offered their best wishes to Sri M with warmth and love. The saplings, like his values, will grow alongside the students, standing as daily reminders of the enduring legacy he has created.  To support the Mytree initiative, please write to us at connect@satsang-foundation.org .

Satsang Seva Mission volunteers at Pune partnered with Sumati Balwan, a local non-profit that empowers underprivileged children through holistic education, combining traditional academics with valuable vocational skills. Here's our recent collaboration at a glance: Improved sanitation : Recognizing the importance of proper hygiene, especially during the monsoon season, the SSM team played a key role in constructing a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Sumati Balwan. Nourishing meals : Understanding the importance of good nutrition for learning and development, the team assisted Sumati Balwan in acquiring a month's supply of essential groceries like oil, sugar, and lentils, providing nutritious meals for the 25 young girls residing in the hostel and the dedicated staff. Supporting animal care : The donation of cows at the home ensured a regular supply of fresh milk to the residents. Nourished with fodder and gentle care, these bovines have found a loving home in Sumati Balwan.   Nu...

In a bid to infuse wellness into the work culture, OFDR invited Sri M to deliver a talk on "Yoga for Professional Excellence." Amidst the backdrop of manufacturing essential pyrotechnic products, Sri M's session aimed to alleviate stress and foster well-being among the employees. Sri M's delved into the profound teachings of yoga, tailored to address the challenges faced by employees in their demanding roles. He emphasised the importance of maintaining mental and physical health, especially in high-pressure environments. The audience, comprising both employees and students from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pune, were captivated by Sri M insights on incorporating yoga and meditation into daily routines. He asked everyone to adopt a holistic approach to wellness, urging everyone to find inner peace and joy amidst life's demands.  Sri M also planted a Suvarna Pimpal on the premises, symbolising the nurturing of health and vitality within the OFDR community. The event not only...

As the sun streamed through on a cool, winter morning at the Government Secondary School in Ramgarh, Chandigarh on 24th November 2022, Team SSM Chandigarh celebrated Founder's Day (6th November) with a tree plantation drive on the premises of the school. The initiatives of MyTree and Satsang Jal Seva Sangatan (SJSS) were woven together to sensitize the students about the spirit of maitri or loving friendship with trees and the importance of water conservation.  The students, teachers, principal, and SSM team members joined hands to plant 50 saplings of herbs such as tulsi, choti elaichi, ajwain, aloe vera, and lemon grass; and 10 saplings of fruit-bearing trees such as mango, guava, sapota, and jamun . The students then took a pledge to preserve water; use every single drop with mindfulness; and become Jal Sevaks , in service of Mother Earth's most precious resource. This inspiring session not only helped the students become more aware of their own responsibilities but also to...

Team MyTree Mumbai organized a plantation drive on 12th November 2022 in commemoration of Sri M's birthday and the ongoing Seva Utsav Week.     The team members offered 108 Moringa (Drum stick) saplings at the Mukund Permaculture Farm located in Wada, Palghar, 100 kms from Mumbai.   Sri Ravi Kulkarni, the farm proprietor, uses the permaculture method on his farm to grow plants with organic fertilizers in different zones: spice plants, medicinal plants, fruit trees, and the butterfly garden. His intention is to grow chemical-free food and teach such techniques to school children from the surrounding villages.     The team members planted 9 saplings and since most of the other saplings are still tender, they will be grown in nursery bags and transplanted into the soil by the farm personnel.      This farm turned out to be a delightful location as it has secure land with sufficient watering facilities. The team members were thrilled that the saplings...

Team MyTree Hyderabad celebrated Sri M's birthday with a special plantation drive at the BJR Government College, Narayanguda on 11th November 2022.     The plantation drive began with inspirational speeches by the Principal and Vice-Principal on the importance of a sustainable environment and protecting it for future generations.     Student volunteers of the National Service Scheme (NSS) then worked hand-in-hand with their teachers and the MyTree team members to plant twenty saplings of medicinal plants such as Ranaphal, Tulsi, Ajwain, Neem, and Bilva ; ornamental ones like Rose, Hibiscus, and varieties of Nandi Vardhan ; and fruit-bearing trees like Mango, Lemon, and Sapota .    To the great joy of the team members, the young NSS volunteers promised to take on the responsibility of nurturing the saplings and monitoring their growth, thereby fostering the sacred spirit of maitri , loving friendship with these tender saplings.   To participate in the i...

Team SSM Pune celebrated Sri M's birthday at the Narayan Dham Naturopathy Centre, established by Shri Sadguru Narayan (Anna) Maharaj and located on a serene, picturesque, pristine campus about 35 kms from Pune.      The centre offers traditional therapeutic practices of Ayurveda and Naturopathy to heal individuals suffering from various ailments such as diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, hypo and hyper-thyroidism, and infertility.     The team members started the celebration with the donation of 108 saplings of mostly fruit-bearing trees such as mango, coconut, jackfruit, and bel. They planted 10 saplings including one of the divine Suvarna Pimpal tree at a spot where the legendary Sri Guru Dattatreya himself had once meditated.      The celebration ended with the offering of a nutritious snack of wheat bread and a curry of mixed vegetables with a warm cup of herbal tea to 200 patients, staff, and hygiene personnel.

On 6th November 2022, Team SSM Kerala commemorated Sir's birthday with annadaanam seva and celebrations at  Mathruchaya Balabhavan located in Chowara, Kochi. Mathruchaya Balabhavan is an orphanage for boys and senior citizens. The 20 young boys between the ages of 10 and 20 years sheltered here hail from less privileged families. They are provided with food, clothing, shelter, and education while the 18 elders at the home receive care and medical aid. The children sat together, meditated, and chanted the Gayatri Mantra. This was followed by a traditional Kerala Sadhya for everyone, and the cutting and sharing of a birthday cake, and an aarati in reverence to Sri M.  The team members also distributed 50 kgs of rice, 20 liters of oil, and some cakes and biscuits for the children. The team also got an opportunity to plant saplings at this sacred place.   The celebration ended with an offering of stationery for all children.   It was an inspiring experience for the tea...

On this auspicious day of Sri M's birthday, Team SSM Kolkata reached out to the specially-abled children at Behala, Sakher Bazar, Kolkata. They visited Voice of the World , an NGO, to distribute dry rations and plant saplings on the premises. Dry rations included 20 kgs minikit rice, 20 kgs wheat flour, and 20 litres of edible soybean oil. The plantation activity which included planting of various flower saplings was greeted with euphoric enthusiasm by the differently abled children who could not hold back their joyous emotions when the team members held their hands to plant the saplings. The children's gleeful faces and ecstatic gestures coupled with gentle, encouraging pats on their back truly made it all worthwhile!

Team MyTree Bengaluru celebrated Sri M's birthday with a plantation drive at the Bio-Park, Bangalore University on 6th November 2022.     The team members planted 108 saplings of the Tabebuia avellanedae species, chosen by the coordinator of Bio-Park with a vision to enhance the beauty of the garden of 'Panchavati' which has five concentric layers of trees that are conducive for meditation.      The tree varieties in the 'Panchavati' are Bilwa, Amla, Peepal, Seeta Ashoka , and Banyan. In 2021, during the first phase of MyTree Bengaluru plantation drive at Bio-Park, many of these saplings were planted to complete the 'Panchavati' project.     The spirit of maitri or loving friendship with trees and their nurture was exemplified through the 3-hour long plantation drive as the team members lovingly planted each sapling.

As the sun began reddening the Eastern skies on November 6 th , Madanapalle and The Sacred Grove Campus residents woke up with a nip in the air, a spring in their step and warmth in their hearts to celebrate Sri M's 73 rd birth anniversary.   The first sphere of activity was in the Satsang Swaasthya Kendra (SSK), where a parcel of non-prescription drugs for cold, cough, aches and pains, flu and fortification was sent for a day long health camp to be held in the Wellness Centre of Sacred Grove in neighbouring Chowdepalle village.   SSK itself, which caters to the health care needs of the lesser privileged from surrounding rural communities, was planning a shift of locale from its old premises to a temporary home adjoining the campus on this auspicious day till its permanent residence was completed in the fast upcoming Swaasthya Hospital.  A small ceremony and distribution of sweets marked the intimate occasion. Later, construction workers at the Swasthya hospital were fed...

Team SSM Coimbatore decided to celebrate the twin occasions of Deepavali and the birthday of Sri M on the 31st of October at three villages: Dhoddani, Horasholai, and Kannerimukku in Kotagiri, a hill station situated in the Nilgiris District, in collaboration with the Thurigai Trust. The team members made an early start at 6:30 a.m. and reached around 9 a.m, at the three schools which were the venues for two special activities: tree plantation as part of the MyTree Initiative of The Satsang Foundation; and the distribution of festive clothes to 160 children who study in these schools. These activities coincided beautifully with the 'Welcome Back to School' initiative that the Government of Tamil Nadu has launched to encourage children to resume formal learning. The children were so enthused that they gave the team members a rousing welcome filled with joy and unalloyed innocence. They rushed to unload the saplings and gardening tools from the vehicle. A brief explanation of th...