University Campus

There is a Sathya Sai college in Muddenahalli, near Bangalore. Several boys coming from poor families in the villages around it are studying in this college. A number of philanthropists extended help to the college in different ways. Some built classrooms, others a bhajan hall, etc. However, this institution is not affiliated with any University. Once the boys finish their education here, they have to go to places like Bangalore to pursue a degree course.

When I thought of their plight, I got a good idea. Here in Puttaparthi, our college and University are housed in spacious and beautiful buildings. Suppose we establish a campus in Muddenahalli, the boys there will also be happy. Is it not? Hence, I have decided to establish a college campus of Sri Sathya Sai University in Muddenahalli too.

My Divine Will is irrevocable and immutable. Now that I have decided, I will initiate the process from tomorrow. Since the boys studying in Muddenahalli College come from rural background and are very poor, they are unable to go for higher education in cities and towns. They therefore discontinue their studies and take to farming activity. Of course, that is also necessary. Secular education helps to make a comfortable living. Hence, education is of top priority. Once they finish their education, they can get into any occupation including agriculture.

I have therefore decided to provide University education to the boys in Muddenahalli. I am of the view that, side by side with the academic subjects, there must be provision for teaching epics and sacred texts like the Ramayana, the Bhagavata, and the Bhagavad-Gita. The boys must be given good training and allowed to spread the message of these epics in the villages around. All secular education is useless without a spiritual base.

Now, I propose to establish a University campus in Muddenahalli for the benefit of students studying in Sri Sathya Sai College there. I had watched with My own eyes the difficulties the students were undergoing there due to lack of facilities for higher education, and I was moved. I therefore assured them that I would provide the necessary facilities.

Is there anyone here from Muddenahalli? (Swami invited Sri Narayana Rao to the stage and introduced him to the audience.) This man is the Principal of the Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Muddenahalli. He is highly educated and is running the school well. Whenever I visit Muddenahalli, he prays, "Swami when will YOU shower Your grace on us?"