We must follow the path shown by Sri Sathya Sai Baba and not let material comforts of modern life dictate our lives; Everyone must work towards building India that is free from discrimination, poverty, hunger. People including politicians must work towards achieving such objectives; Younger generations must be enlightened about the rich spiritual heritage of India; Government’s initiatives, policies and programs require the active participation of the civil society, the private sector, and the academic and charitable organizations. Presents the Sri Sathya Sai Awards for Human Excellence in Bengaluru today. The Vice President of India Shri M Venkaiah Naidu has said that youth must aim high and strive hard, be rooted in the Indian ethos but be willing to learn from the best in the world. He said that a combination of courage and competence is required to set benchmarks in life.He presented the Sri Sathya Sai Award for Human Excellence that recognizes individuals, who are doing tremendous work to uplift the society in various parts of the world, at a gathering at World Youth Meet in Bangalore, today.Shri Naidu said they left a legacy of love, compassion, devotion and service to humanity. India is truly blessed to have Shri. Sathya Sai Baba’s divine presence in the countless individuals and institutions who continue to selflessly serve fellow human beings. He expressed his appreciation for Sri Sathya Sai LokaSeva Group for being one among such institutions.
The Vice President said that India has a great spiritual heritage that has shown humanity the path of devotion and service. He said that people like Sri Sathya Sai Baba and Guru Nanak inspire millions through their lives and their teachings that are relevant for all times to come.‘Love and Service was the message of Baba. His message is universal and timeless and his life is an inspiration to people across the globe’, he added.‘We must dispel this darkness and illuminate our pathways through knowledge, wisdom, understanding and love. This is the path that has been shown by Indian sages from Vedic times. This is the path that holy saints like Guru Nanak and Sathya Sai Baba also have shown us’, he said.The Vice President said that we must follow the path shown by Shri Sathya Sai Baba andnot let material comforts of modern life dictate our lives. He added that we must imbibe the qualities of service, caring and sharing. Shri. Naidu reasoned that the younger generations must be enlightened about the rich spiritual heritage of India. ‘Everyone must work towards building India that is free from discrimination, poverty, hunger. People including politicians must work towards achieving such objectives’, he said.
The Vice President said that education system must lay a strong foundation based on Indian values and ethos and added that organizations like Sathya Sai Trust must contribute in realizing the demographic advantage by equipping the youth with the required skills, right attitude, knowledge and wisdom.India with nearly 65% of our population being less than 35 years of age, has a great opportunity to excel. ‘Youth represent the energy that will drive India of the future. Their knowledge and imagination, competence and confidence, their risk-taking ability and multi-tasking ability, their agility and adaptability will change the course of India’s development’, he said.Shri Naidu said that India is moving forward rapidly on the path of progress and is emerging as a strong economic force. ‘We are a truly aspirational India that is at the cusp of a major transformation in the way we govern ourselves and the way we respond to the challenges of an uncertain but constantly changing world’ he said.Vice President said that the Government’s initiatives, effective policies and programs require the active participation of the civil society, the private sector, and the academic and charitable organizations like PrashantiBalamandira Trust to transform India.The Governor of Karnataka Shri. VajubhaiVala and other dignitaries bore witness to the ceremony.