The Alumni Album

Featured Alumnus: Karthik Ramesh, MBA batch of 2005-2007

Impact of Sathya Sai Education System

A mango tree yields fruits in a year or two, a coconut tree takes atleast a decade while the fruits of an educational institution manifest themselves only after an entire generation. This Institute has journeyed twenty-five years on the path of shaping young minds to build a future generation of men and women of strong character. The impact that this system of education has on its students is multi-dimensional and can be best appreciated by listening to what the alumni themselves have to say about it. The thoughts and views of the alumni have been broadly categorized into five sections:

1. The unique relationship of Bhagavan with every student.
2. Sri Sathya Sai Educational System -- A crucible for personal transformation.
3. Three major components of Sri Sathya Sai Educational System:

• The Mandir -- Lessons learnt at His Lotus Feet.

• The Institute -- Integrating Values with secular knowledge.

• The Hostel -- Translating theoretical knowledge into practical skills.

4. Our Alumni as perceived by their colleagues and peers.
5. Future role of Sai Students as perceived by the Alumni.


1. The unique relationship of Bhagavan with every student

One can say beyond doubt that the main focus of every activity that goes on in this education system is Bhagavan. The relationship of Bhagavan with every student is a very special one and transcends the dimensions of space and time. This sacred and unique relationship makes without exception the greatest impact on each and every student.

Vivekanand Sahoo, now working as a business analyst with Compassites Software Solutions in Bangalore, exclaims: "And blessed are we for He holds our hand firmly and does not allow us to get eroded in any tempest. It makes us feel that no matter what we are or where we are, He is safe in our heart and we are safe in His Heart always…forever." It is this Divine Presence that makes the students extremely confident of facing any challenges in life. Says Amar Singh, a product of Swami's education system, right from primary school to MBA, and currently an associate at Booz Allen & Hamilton, USA: "Increasingly I feel I am capable of handling any situation life puts me in, not because I trust any capability I may possess, but because I know I am sustained entirely by a power in me that is not my own. And remaining connected with that power, in essence, is the core competency of any alumnus of this Institute."

In fact Ashok Sundaresan considers this association with Bhagavan as his greatest advantage. A chartered accountant by profession, he claims, "As a Sai Student, I have one great advantage that surpasses everything else. I have lived with the Avatar, seen Him, touched Him, heard Him and learnt from Him. I can access Him from wherever I am and this makes all the difference in my life and work."

Normally when we have a problem, we look up to God and say -- God we have a problem, but Swami's students feel the other way. Whenever they have a problem, they look up to the problem and say -- O Problem, do you know we have God with us!


2. Sri Sathya Sai Educational System -- A crucible for personal transformation

Eastern psychology does not project man as a slave to his/her tendencies. It believes that with necessary hard effort and given the right ambience, one can modify and shape one's attitude and behaviour even after the formative period at any stage in life.

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning is a living proof of this truth. This perhaps is the only place where the inculcation of Values and moulding of character is being attempted at the University level. With Bhagavan's constant guidance, the continuous nurturing of Values, and the right ambience in the system, the University students undergo a miraculous transformation in their attitude and behaviour patterns.

Their journey through this system leaves an indelible mark in their lives. Tumuluru Kumar, Head of Finance and Administration at the International Food Policy Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has this to say, "When I reflect on my one and a half decades of work experience and my interactions with colleagues in various organizations, I can confidently say, that this Institute is the best place for all learning and there is no greater Teacher than Bhagavan." Arjun Banarjee working in Maryland, USA, feels that hard work, determination, dedication, perseverance, knowledge, humility, politeness, patience and respect for others, are the qualities that Swami's educational system imparts to the students.


Self -- confidence is confidence in the Higher Self

There could be no better way to describe Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning and its Mission than by recalling the words of Bhagavan Baba, the Divine Chancellor of the University. Inaugurating the University on the 22nd of November 1981, He said "This College has not been established just to prepare you for earning degrees. The main purpose is to help you to cultivate self-knowledge and self-confidence, so that each one of you can learn self-sacrifice and earn self-realization".

The term 'Self-confidence' has a different connotation in the Sathya Sai Institute. What this Institute nurtures in students apart from confidence in their acquired knowledge, skills, physical and intellectual capabilities; is confidence in the Higher Self -- in the Lord who resides within their heart, by whose Grace alone any human endeavor can bear fruit.

C.V. Subash, Product Head, ICICI Bank, gratefully attributes his new assignment to Bhagavan's Grace. "Bhagavan instilled in me the confidence to stand up and speak in front of any audience and no audience could scare me! I always considered myself a misfit for the teaching profession, due to my poor communication skills. But today, as my organization has hand-picked me to conduct a three-day induction programme every month for new recruits, I know it is nothing but Bhagavan's Grace."


Service to Society

Bhagavan continues in His inaugural message, "The teaching of the University Curricula and the preparation for presenting you for the University examinations and the award of University degrees -- these are only the means employed for the end, namely, spiritual uplift, self-discovery and social service through Love and Detachment. Our hope is that by your lives you will be shining examples of spiritual awareness and its beneficial consequences to the individual and society."

Bisweswar Prusty, another Management Graduate, who has stayed back at His Lotus Feet offering his services at the Prasanthi Digital Studios, shares his feelings. "Truly, from what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life. Living with Swami, who has touched me with His love, so selfless and genuine; I have learned that there is no joy comparable to the joy of being useful to somebody in someway. If you have helped somebody today who can never repay you, your day is made. It is very rightly said - You never know what happiness a simple act of kindness can bring."


Journey from smaller truths to bigger truths

Swami Himself lists out the great lessons that the students ought to learn during their stay here. He says, "You will learn here the valuable lessons of detachment, loving service, fraternity, humility, sincerity, fortitude and fearlessness. Treasure them, for they will serve as reliable props when you enter the world of action. In this college, you will be marching from smaller truths to bigger truths, until you are taught the know-how to reach the higher truth."

In this journey from smaller truths to bigger truths, the students undergo a paradigm shift in their attitude and approach towards life. Broader understanding, deeper insights and a more mature outlook mark their thinking process. K. Ravichand, an alumnus of the 1996 batch, currently works as the Head of Quality in DSL Soft, Bangalore. He says, "One subtle trait that all the Institute's alumni imbibe is a predominant positive mental attitude. Ability to accept things as they unfold, positive will power and an ability to influence the environment that we operate in and continuously correct our path to align it with that shown by Bhagavan, ensures success for each one of us."

Damu Nair an Executive Manager at Deloitte Consulting, USA, feels that we plant a sapling with the intention that it will provide shade. If it grows and yields fruits, that is only a collateral benefit. If our drive is superior, we accomplish results that far exceed our capacity. Talking about Man Management, a subject very close to the Chancellor's heart, Praveen G. Vishwas, Senior Business Analyst, Wipro Technologies, says, "Man Management, I realized was about managing oneself, discovering one's own inner self, realizing the fact that there is a greater purpose to life than what meets the eye. The various roles we live -- of a son, a father, an employee, a boss, are vocations that we assume to discharge certain responsibilities but at the same time each of us has responsibilities towards oneself -- to know oneself and to know what one's true goals are."

Similarly, reflecting on Swami's teaching about crushing one's ego, Easwar Prasad, Marketing Manager, Aircel Limited, used to wonder what practical impact 'crushing one's ego' would have on life. The answer, he discovered, was peace and happiness. "The concept of being egoless is very difficult to comprehend. Nevertheless, once I started treading on this path, I found that my dealings with fellow workers became very smooth. I used to constantly remind myself that whatever was happening was due to Swami's Grace. If there were challenges, it meant that He wanted more effort from my side. This way of thinking calmed my mind a lot."


3. Three major components of Sri Sathya Sai Educational System:

At the operational level, there are three major components of this education system that play a critical role in shaping the personality of every student and in moulding his/her character: The Mandir, the Institute and the Hostel.


3a. The Mandir -- Lessons learned at His Lotus Feet

The unique opportunity of interacting with their Revered Chancellor in the Mandir and on various other occasions, is the most important feature in the lives of the students. The greatest lessons of life and living are learned at His Lotus Feet.

To quote a few examples, we have B. T. Kumar, who studied in the Brindavan Campus, Bangalore, from 1975 to 1980. One lesson that he had learnt at the Lotus Feet always stands out in his memory.  There were 250 odd students in 1976 and the Warden used to divide them into groups and give them odd jobs like vegetable cutting, premises cleaning, gokulam (cow shed) cleaning, Mandir decoration etc.  He along with 15 other students got the job of cleaning the College Auditorium.  Kumar was cribbing all the while about his bad luck as he was sure to miss Swami's Darshan and discourse that day. Most unexpectedly and much to their good fortune, Swami made a surprise visit to the auditorium.  They were elated. Swami walked up to Kumar and said "The secret of happiness lies not in doing what one likes but in liking what one has to do" and explained to him for over 5 minutes how they ought to love the work they do, be it cleaning or studying! That was Gita straight from the Lord Himself! Kumar says, "This lesson changed my perspective of life completely. When I joined my first job, I was so dedicated and worked with so much of involvement that over a period of 5 years I had risen to become the general manager of a Rs.400 crore Pharma company. In the next 5 years I went on to become the first director outside the promoter's family on the board, in its 30 year history."

T.N. Giridhar from UK, recalls an incident of his student days in the Mandir, that delivers a very potent message. "The live flute music, which used to be played before the Bhajans, began. Swami happened to be standing directly underneath the speaker and looked up as soon as the music started. With a twinkle in His eyes, He asked, "Where is the sound coming from?" Without hesitation, the boys there answered, "From the speaker, Swami!" Pleased with that, He said, "Ah, see, the sound comes from the speaker but the source is inside" and pointed towards the Bhajan Hall. To this day, I am amazed at the simplicity with which He delivered such a powerful lesson. Years later as I was waiting anxiously outside the Board room in UK for an important presentation, I recalled those words of Swami and instantly felt comforted. I then went in, made my presentation, answered their questions and walked out after almost three hours of gruelling. I had no clue as to how it was perceived by them, but got the answer in about two days -- we were awarded the contract of several million pounds!"


3b. The Institute -- Integration of Values with Secular knowledge

The deep insights gained under the Chancellor's benign guidance are clarified through introspection and discussions in the classrooms. The uniqueness of the teaching at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning is that spirituality and Values are integrated along with the normal teaching process. It is here that the faculty members make a mark on the thinking process of the students, encouraging them to widen their horizons and analyze issues keeping in mind the larger picture. They sensitize the students to the needs and concerns of the society and inspire them to use their physical and intellectual capabilities for serving the society.

In the process of teaching, the students are made to appreciate the fact that spirituality and Values are not stand-alone aspects that can be scotch taped onto life but are to be integrated with day-to-day life. They indeed must become the undercurrent and the very essence of life.

K. Suresh, a business executive in Lagos, Nigeria explains how he integrates spirituality at his workplace. "When I deal with my customers I feel that it is the same Swami who is also in them and that I need to approach them with the right attitude and love in my heart. This has always given me an upper hand to solve the most difficult issues which could not be handled by others. While other preparations are definitely required for a good negotiation, positive attitude and good vibes can change the whole negotiating atmosphere. In the corporate world, my company calls negotiation and wheeling as dealing skills. I am ranked highest on these skills in my company. But for me the real skill is Love in the heart."

U. Vidyadhar, a student of the Institute from 1985 to 1992 and currently Director of Lotus Energy Systems, shares a memorable experience about the power of values at work.

"It was the final negotiation for a bid that our company had put in for providing sound proofing equipment for one of India's most prominent homegrown IT giants. Our company was short listed as being technically best suited for the job. The price was the only criterion that was against us.
 
The Purchase Officer went through the list in great detail and said "Your explanations and working sheets appear impeccable. Yet, how is it that your competitor has given a written assurance stating that the performance will be the same as yours at a 30% lower price?" I stated that I could only comment on what we submitted and reserve my comments on someone else's proposal. He pointedly asked, "Will you stick by your proposal or can your look into it once again and drop the price?" I replied that we needed the job to survive; but we couldn't trim the scope to give him a lower project cost. He then curiously asked, "What is your philosophy in negotiation?" I didn't quite know what to make of it nor what to say. So I said the first thing that came to my mind. "Do your best and leave the rest, if it has to happen, it will. That is our philosophy." "And if it means that you lose the order?", he queried. I said by reflex, "Dharmo Rakshathi Rakshitha". He stood up signaling that the meeting had concluded. Pumping my hand he said, "This is exactly what our Chief Mentor said many years ago. Don't worry about this job, stick to your philosophy and it will pay off ultimately."
 
Two days later we discovered that we had lost the job. It was a sick feeling in the gut and a major blow to our company. We were shattered. A lot of brainstorming and soul searching was done. Was it wise to be so rigid in a fiercely competitive world? Were we being hard headed instead of being smart and hard nosed?
 
A year or so later, out of the blue we got a call from the same Purchase Officer. He showed us a plan for a TV broadcast studio and asked, "Can you do the acoustics for this project?" We put in our bid two days later after a lot of homework and two hours after we sent it in, we were faxed the Purchase Order. No negotiation called for, just a terse message "Start work immediately!"
 
A few weeks later, the Purchase Officer clarified, "Last time I learned a difficult lesson the hard way. That has changed my philosophy of negotiation from Live and let die to Live and let live". From that day on we have done so much work for the facilities infrastructure of this one company across the country, without having to sit seriously across the negotiation table ever again."


3c. The Hostel -- Translating Theoretical Knowledge into Practical Skills

Sri Sathya Sai Institute is a totally residential system. The Hostel serves as a laboratory wherein the theoretical knowledge imbibed in the classrooms is translated into practical skills. In the words of the Revered Chancellor, "Knowledge that is not translated into skills is killed".

There are innumerable lessons that students learn through the community living at the Hostel. Understanding and adjustment, caring and sharing are some of the key Values imbibed. N. Vivek, a Management Alumnus and now Course coordinator for the International Business Programme at the PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, fondly recalls his Hostel days. "Our life in the Hostel was in no way easy. We had to share a room with thirteen other students. We had to sleep on the floor. We had to eat sitting on the floor. We were called on to serve the food also. All these were in addition to the strenuous assignments, tests and case presentations that we had to do. Added to this were the extensive cultural celebrations during every festival. Even today, years later, I still remember those days when I faced such pressure in my daily life. It was so perfect a training for a manager."

Damu Nair of Deloitte Consulting India Pvt. Ltd., claims that the biggest lesson that he has learnt at Parthi is work ethics. Recently he was assessed to be having a "Pacesetting" leadership style. He remarks, "It was not a surprise after my seven years stay in His inspiring presence. All through my stay in the Hostel, I was involved in various activities and notable among them was being the student coordinator of the maintenance team. Even to this day, I draw upon the practical lessons that I learned during those days when I was leading a group of 20-30 students."


4. Our Alumni as perceived by their colleagues and peers

"Have the students of this unique Institution been able to leave their mark on their peers, on their colleagues, in their work place and in their families?" For ultimately, what counts is not claims but results. Let us see how the Sai Students have been perceived and accepted by their colleagues, peers and associates.

Sudhakar Reddy from TCS Bangalore, shares his experience. "Many students of Swami working in organizations are faced with a typical question, 'How do you keep smiling all the time and have such a pleasant demeanor amidst all the stress and strain in our profession?' The answer is simple. This immense treasure of equipoise is so much a part of our nature. The highs and lows which our Lord treats us with, prepare us for any kind of uncertainty that life may throw up."

This is not just an isolated experience. V.S. Narasimhan a Polaris employee at Chennai shares an interesting episode. "It was almost 9 p.m. when I was leaving office. A manager from my department offered to drop me home. While traveling in his car, he suddenly asked me, "Did you also study in Sai Baba's Institute at Puttaparthi?" When I replied in the affirmative, he said, "I know a few of your college mates who work in our department". He then added, "You boys work smart. More than that, you all work silently". It was a revelation to me that in the crowded corporate world, where a lot of people are busy blowing their own trumpets, people who work silently are also recognized. Working silently is what we all learn from our Lord."

It would be appropriate to mention two incidents at this juncture. One occurred with Venkatesh Prasad, currently General Manager of Super Sales India Ltd., Coimbatore. In his earlier work assignment, he was given independent charge of a loss-making unit in the business group and was assigned the task of reviving the unit. He was also given a free hand to change any of the staff so as to achieve the stated objective of attaining profitability. One of the key personnel he was involved with was an accountant who was aged above 60. He had retired from service but Venkatesh asked him to continue in order to help him tide over the crisis. Also, while trying to retain him he followed the principle of giving dignity and value for his experience. Recalls Venkatesh, "Months later, when the company turned around and was doing very well, this gentleman was seated in my desk one evening and made a statement that was most stunning." "Sir, Thank you very much. You have behaved in this way because you are a Baba Student". "In all those years I had never mentioned to any of the staff in the unit about my academic background or about Swami. I was dumbstruck and did not know how to respond."

The second incident involves the Director of HR operations at Xansa India Ltd. Noida. She had the following to say about our students working in their organization. "I do not know why, but the students from Sri Sathya Sai Institute are so unique and totally different. In my entire corporate life I have come across many professionals, but never witnessed the display of a sterling character like these boys have. Parents like me have a vision for our children and it's a comfortable life, success and money. But after seeing the students of this Institute it has made me realize that I would be a proud mother if my son possesses a character like them."


5. Future role of Sai Students as perceived by the Alumni

The Revered Chancellor places great trust and faith in His students and expressing His expectations from them, He says, "Our hope is that by your lives, you will be shining examples of spiritual awareness and its beneficial consequences to the individual and society. I am depending on you students, for a great transformation in out-look, a great revolution. Students of the Sathya Sai College must lead this movement!"

Let us see what the students envisage as their role in the present and in the future as part of the grand Mission of their Master.

V. Vijayakrishnan, a private businessman in Chennai, believes that when Swami expects students' life to be His Message, it is not merely an aspiration of Bhagavan, but the desire and expectation of the world too. Apart from being a privilege, the title 'Sai Student' attaches additional responsibilities. Vaidyanathan Prabhu of Motorola India, Bangalore, feels that the only way in which students can offer their gratitude at His Lotus Feet is by setting an example by carrying out their tasks in a moral and ethical way, imbibing all His Teachings. He states that the corporate world has of late realized that the need of the hour is not 'Great' leaders but 'Good' leaders and Sai Students must fulfill this intense need in the Corporate World."

Satya Vaswani of L&T Finance holds a loftier ideal for the students of Bhagavan. He asks, "What role do we have as Bhagavan's students?" He feels that they need not shout from rooftops about their principles and beliefs. They should manifest the same in their daily action. He continues, "Levels of sophistication today have distanced us from our true Selves. That, in my view, is the key to all which Bhagavan wants us to learn. To get closer to our true Selves, tap the inner strength and lead lives in His image."

And finally, Sahoo raises a very pertinent question. "If Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning is a Value Based Educational Institution, are we potential Ramana Maharishis and Swami Vivekanandas who are supposed to be trained here to become future Bill Gateses, Warren Buffets or Azim Premjis? Or are we a potential Azim Premji trained to become a Ramana or Vivekananda? It is neither of the two. Swami wants us to be both -- a perfect blend of both. Having this vision, our Chancellor has moulded all of us through His Infinite Patience and Selfless Love."

This is the story of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning and what we have read is just a glimpse into the experiences of a few select alumni of the Institute. Like all activities of Bhagavan, the Institute too is very silently turning out batches of young men and women who are dedicated to the cause of His Mission of service to society and humanity at large. There is no ado or publicity, but it is a silent revolution that will speak out through the achievements of the students in times to come.

Accolades for hard work

I just returned to India after successfully executing 2 assignments in Nigeria and Abu Dhabi and as shared earlier, the experiences of Swami in foreign lands have been mind boggling. By Swami's Grace and Love, on my return today, I received from our respected CEO Mr. Arun Kumar, an award for excellence in D&B titled "Sparks" based on my performance in the last 7 months including assignments in Nigeria and Abu Dhabi. I humbly dedicate the same to Swami.



I wanted to express my gratitude to Swami and the University on this occassion. It goes without saying and straight from the Heart that this was purely due to all the good habits and learning imbibed at His Lotus Feet in the Hostel and our University which have helped me nurture the qualities of success.

I am sending this is just out of reverence - we really value every bit of human values, education and learning we have got in our University through dedicated teachers and not a day goes without feeling nostalgic of the life at Swami's Lotus Feet in Parthi.

Karthik Ramesh (MBA Batch of 2005-2007)

Please do send us your achievements by writing to us at mail@saistudents.org so that we can add to the material on this page.