Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Delhi-NCR: Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Programme

 

Making ‘Real India’ self-reliant

 

“The villages are the most valuable assets of a nation. If you serve the villagers properly, nothing could be a greater service than that. Grama Seva is Rama Seva.”

-         Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 36 (2003)

 

The Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Programme (SSSVIP) has unfolded as a holistic Grama Seva model, which aims at ensuring a village’s macroeconomic and microeconomic development, with a focus on Family as a Unit of Village. On the sacred occasion of Sarvajit Ugadi in the year 2007, it was termed as ‘Jewel in the Crown’ by Bhagawan.

 

The Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Programme, Delhi-NCR has spread its wings across 30 villages in the region. With utmost devotion and gratitude to Swami, this seva is carried out in these villages, with an eye on the integration of the village with the rest of the country.

 

Mahatma Gandhi had once said that the future of India lay in its villages.

This “real” India constitutes 65% of the country’s population. With such a large proportion of our people living in villages, these local communities represent the heart of our nation. However, a socio-economic chasm exists between rural villages and urban areas, as many in cities remain unaware of the realities and challenges of village life.

 

Maintaining socio-economic harmony, the Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Programme aims to bridge this gap, fostering integration to support collective growth and development—working towards a truly integrated society that is built on strengthening the social and economic fabric of the nation at large.

 

Stakeholders of Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Programme, Delhi-NCR

The stakeholders involved in this program are -

Residents of the Village | Volunteers | Organisation | Community | Government

 

Structure of Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Programme, Delhi-NCR

The model encompasses different areas of development of a village which brings about holistic transformation of individual lives and community living.

1.    Individual Care @ Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Programme, Delhi-NCR

At an individual level, the Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Program creates a positive environment by providing essentials such as food, clothing, and other necessities. In addition, Seva dals serve as a social support system for village residents, offering a listening ear and taking action to address their concerns.

“Cultivate the spirit of service and learn how to serve the sick and the needy and seize every chance to help others”

-         Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 1 (1958)

A sad reality is that children in villages are highly vulnerable to early school drop outs, which pave the way for them to turn towards usage of harmful substances.

The Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Delhi-NCR’s Seva Dals work closely with the children, lovingly mentoring them to break free from these vices, supporting them to lead happier and more meaningful lives. The Bal Vikas play a vital role in this effort, fostering a holistic transformation in children and nurturing the blossoming of their hearts.

Many of these young ones, in turn, become motivated to help their peers make positive changes in their lives.

 

The program also assists the resident living in villages with enrollment in government schemes and programs. Through these efforts, a strong bond of trust forms between the village’s younger generation and the Seva Dals, who become their loving mentors, and it creates a trust-based, loving relationship that uplifts both groups and nurtures a sanctuary of higher living and noble purpose.

 

2.    Education Care @ Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Programme, Delhi-NCR

“Educare involves the deep understanding of the knowledge that springs from within and imparting it to students.”

-         Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 34 (2001)

Our Bal Vikas and Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Jyothi help children internalise the five human values: Sathya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), Shanti (Peace), Prema (Love), and Ahimsa (Non-violence). These values are put into practice as students participate in Sai activities within their village. From Narayana Seva and Bhajans (devotional singing) to Nagarsankirtan (community singing) and cleanliness drives, Bal Vikas students and village youth join with sevadals to engage in these community activities.


In many villages across Delhi-NCR, computer classes are also provided to boost the confidence of children, improve digital literacy and help to bridge the digital divide for residents. Regular interactions with parents foster a better understanding of the children. Parents are guided lovingly to take a more active role in their children’s education and well-being.

With a strong foundation in human values and academic support, an environment of learning is created for the children and youth of the village. This holistic education not only nurtures their personal growth but also builds their confidence and belief in themselves.

 

3.    Medical Care @ Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Programme, Delhi-NCR

“When you give medicines (treatment) to patients, render it with love. Pray for the well being of patients… Love is more important than medicines. Love is God. Live in Love.”

-         Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 42 (2009)

At the heart of the Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Programme, there is the focus on Medical Care, aimed at ensuring the health and happiness of village residents, as a foundation for their growth.

Regular medical camps are held to address health needs and provide essential care, bringing a sense of security and well-being to the community. Screening camps for conditions such as anaemia and cancer support early diagnosis and offer healthcare assistance to tackle these challenges.

 

Health and hygiene camps are also conducted to raise awareness, especially among the women, empowering them with knowledge for better self-care. Additionally, Sai Protein is distributed to promote overall wellness, nurturing a healthier, happier community.

4. Socio Care Initiatives @ Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Programme, Delhi-NCR

Socio Care initiatives work to strengthen the social fabric of villages through inclusive health, hygiene, and sanitation activities. Awareness is spread in engaging ways, such as discussions, nukkad nataks (street plays), and posters, helping residents understand the importance of their surroundings and how it affects their health and well-being.

Social infrastructure projects are undertaken wherever there is a need, bringing positive change and fostering a sense of community care and pride.

 

5. Spiritual Care @ Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Programme, Delhi-NCR

“Divine music can confer solace even to children and animals. By hearing namasankirtan, even the heart of a stone-hearted person will melt.”

-         Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 37 (2004) 

As we all know, spiritual Care seeks to nurture the cultural and spiritual fabric of the village by promoting community practices such as bhajans, parayanams, and gramothsavs.

As the entire village gathers to celebrate festivals and participate in parayanams, and chant the name of the Lord, a strong sense of unity and brotherhood begins to flourish.

Over time, the residents become well-versed in bhajans and Vedam and start leading these sessions on their own.

Satsangs and dramas, depicting Swami’s life and teachings bring residents closer to Bhagawan, thereby offering them a source of solace and inspiration in His stories.

6. Employment Care @ Sri Sathya Sai Village Integrated Program, Delhi-NCR

Skill development workshops and classes empower village residents, boosting their employability and building their self-confidence. Training in computer skills, candle-making, cooking, tailoring, and baking allows individuals to explore their talents while also creating opportunities to supplement their incomes.

The candles and artefacts crafted by the women are showcased and sold at stalls during functions at the Sai Centre, filling them with pride and a renewed sense of purpose.

Career counselling sessions are also organised for the village youth, guiding them toward brighter futures and fulfilling aspirations.

7. Agri Care @ Sri Sathya Sai Village Integration Program, Delhi-NCR

This area of development aims to integrate all land-based activities such as agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and other land use activities. Farmers are trained in organic farming and preparation of compost manures.

 

 

“Not recognising the sacredness and purifying power of service, people hesitate to embark on social service… Service should proceed from an awareness of what one owes to society.”

-         Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol 21 (1988)