Roshan Peiris – Pioneer Female Indian Journalist And Sathya Sai Baba Devotee

Then Secretary of th Editors Guild of Sri Lanka and current chairman of Lake House Bandula Padma Kumara placing the gold medal on Roshan Peiris at the Guild’s Awards ceremony.

Challenge-loving scribe who quizzed world leaders and delivered top stories – Roshan Peiris

She was in the twilight of her professional life as a journalist when she joined The Sunday Times, in the early ’90s, but even at that stage of her career she was a formidable force, and soon earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues.

She had in earlier times reached the highest echelons of the Ceylon Observer during her long and distinguished career as a journalist. She was admired for the breadth of her knowledge of current affairs, Sri Lankan and international, her efficiency and crisp writing skills.

Never one to waste even a second, the minute she returned from an assignment, she would head for the typewriter and get on with the job. With Roshan, there was no time to be frittered away at lunches and coffee breaks when a copy was due. It was always work first. She would not rest till she had finished her story and handed it in.

She was game for any assignment, and even the hurly-burly of election campaigning did not daunt her. Tired she may have been after long evenings on the campaign trail, covering election rallies as political campaigns reached fever pitch, but she always filed her stories on time. She delighted in the challenge of a tough story and being the first to break the news.In the course of a long career she interviewed many famous figures – from world leaders to film stars, writers and other celebrities.

Her list of “contacts” was legendary. She had a particularly soft spot for the world’s first woman Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, and never missed her birthday gatherings at Tintagel.

She was an ardent disciple of Sathya Sai Baba, and looked forward to her visits to Puttapathi, in India.

Her colleagues knew her as a kind and generous person, always willing to help those in need. She was always forthright and sound with her advice.

Every so often she would bring us special treats. She would make Indian sweets and Parsee dishes and bring these to office, and then look on happily as her colleagues did justice to her culinary preparations, which invariably vanished in a trice.

Her love and devotion to her family, her daughter Savitri and son Suren, was an example to all. She is remembered with affection, three months after her passing away.

By A Colleague (Reference)

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Pioneer woman-journalist Roshan Peiris departs

Roshan Peiris, a pioneer woman-journalist, departed from us last week. She was amongst a handful of women-journalists of the so called “Golden Age” of Lake House in the early 1950s who braved the citadel to work with the impregnable bastion of male journalists such as Tarzie Vittachchi, Denzil Peiris and Mervyn De Silva. It was a difficult task but Roshan, just as the rest of the determined and committed women-journalists at the time such as Ranji Handy, Jean Pinto, Vijitha Fernando, Malini Balasingham, Sumana Saparamadu, Hema Gunawardene and Mallika Wanigasundera, took them on and set trends of the highest order.

Hailing from a distinguised Parsee family – the Dadabhoys which had famous physicians and businessmen, Roshan, with a degree from the University of Ceylon joined Lake House in 1953 and took to journalsim like duck to water. She was a feature-writer and Women’s Page Editress of the Observer when she married the legendary Observer Editor Denzil Peiris who was at the time editing the Janatha, the Silumina and Jana – an international Lake House magazine.

They had two children – Suren who is an Attorney-at-Law today and Savithri whose death Roshan refused to accept till the time of her death.

Roshan wrote on a range of topics – politics, arts, fashions, health, human interest stories as well as colour pieces on special events. She rose to be the Features Editor and later even acted for the Editor of the Sunday Observer in the mid 1970s, an opportunity which perhaps did not come in the way of other women-journalists at the time. Her career spanned for over four decades and Roshan was the pick when Sirimavo Bandaranaike wanted to ‘grant’ an interview to a journalist. Roshan interviewed at least two Prime Ministers of India including Indira Gandhi and many, many other international VVIPs.

Roshan was also awarded a medal for long service in journalism at the 2001 Editors’ Guild Awards Ceremony. She spent her last years of journalism at The Sunday Times. If not for her poor health and the mental trauma of losing her daughter Roshan would have certainly continued with her writing right to the end.

By Rajitha Weerakoon (Reference)

The First Devotee Of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Bala Sai Baba

The First Devotee Of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Sri Goddumarri S. Anjaneyulu

“He was the first to recognise My divinity” – Baba

He had taken more than a simple liking for young Raju. The liking was strange for Raju was neither his relative nor his neighbour. While Raju lived with his teacher brother, Seshama Raju on Brahmin Street in Uravakonda, this middle-aged Salt (Excise) Inspector, lived in a spacious bungalow outside the main town. But Raju was his son’s schoolmate.

Goddumarri S. Anjaneyulu (1904-1979), a simple, devoted and orthodox Brahmin who respected holy men and his wife Bhagyalakshmi (1918-1976) had the two children – Narasimha Dass, a son and Subburathnamma a daughter. Raju and the two children went to school together.

Anjaneyulu had possibly known Raju earlier as the latter’s brother was a teacher in the local high school. Raju had already picked up a good number of friends then, many of whom had been witness to miraculous experiences associated with him. Anjaneyulu had then been asked by Raju to procure a Shirdi Sai Baba statue for worship. To please the young boy, Anjaneyulu looked for it in the local market, but could not find any. Raju then told him, “Go to the Lakshminarasimhaswamy Temple festival at Pennohobilam and try”. Pennohobilam was situated thirteen kilometres away from Uravakonda. True to Raju’s word the statue was found there.

This Shirdi Sai Baba statue became a spiritual link between Anjaneyulu and Raju. Being a Shirdi Sai Baba devotee himself, Anjaneyulu created a personal shrine for Sai Baba in his garden. He spread a tiger skin on a boulder and placed the statue there for puja every Thursday. For many months Raju would have his Thursday bhajans in the houses of his teacher-devotees. A time came, when he decided to hold the bhajans in Anjaneyulu’s house as it was a quiet place being situated on the outskirts of the main town and did not disturb the neighbours. Raju had possibly allowed the Anjaneyulu family to actually spiritually prepare themselves to receive what was to follow.

Every Thursday, returning to the Anjaneyulu house, from school, Raju would bathe, then cast off his white shirt and khaki shorts school uniform and don silk dhoti and angavastram. He would then perform puja to the Shirdi Sai Baba statue and then lead the bhajans. One of the bhajans, he sang then was “Manasa Bhajare Guru Charanam, dusthara bhava sagara taranam”. He would also sing the song. “Baba Raava, Sai Baba Raava”. He would ask everyone else to follow the song in chorus.

The Thursday bhajan sessions were great spiritual experiences for the Anjaneyulu family. During these sessions, Raju would stand in deep concentration, glowing in splendour, his body swaying forward and backward as in a trance. He would remain in this state for three to four hours. He would advise, instruct, bless and materialise vibhuti, pieces of cloth reportedly from the kafni of Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi, pictures and fruits for visitors. He would raise his hand, pick up the things from nowhere and give them away. The devotees would open their mouth at his bidding and he would put fruits and candies into the open mouths. He instructed them to eat them immediately and take home post haste whatever other article he gave them. His instructions were specifie for specific people and not meant to be shared with others. Raju would even call people at specified time and place for special spiritual advice.

At the end of this long spell, Raju would indicate and say, “I want to go, perform arathi. Break the coconut after arathi.” After the arathi, he would fall down. The Anjaneyulu’s family would position themselves in different places in the puja room to break his fall. They were not sure where he would fall. Anjaneyulu himself would then pick him up, keep his head on his lap and wave a fan on him. Raju would gradually get up after about fifteen minutes, his eyes bloodshot with weariness.

There was yet a parent-sibling love between Anjaneyulu and Raju. When the small boy’s school uniform was torn, Anjaneyulu got a new one stitched. When Raju wanted his newly written play, Parijathapaharanam staged at the Anjaneyulu residence, Anjaneyulu had his attendants arrange the stage in no time. The play was meant only for the family. So Anjaneyulu himself dressed Raju in his wife’s sari. Anjaneyulu’s son, Narasimha Dass played the role of Sri Krishna, daughter Subburathnamma acted as Devendra and Raju himself was Sathyabhama.

The most memorable day was when Raju had returned from a visit to Hampi with his brother and school had reopened after Dassera holidays. On his way to school, Raju had been to the Anjaneyulu house. He took the latter’s new born daughter in his arms and exclaimed, “You, too, have fallen under Maya!” He then named the child Sai Prabha. Along with Narasimha Das and Subburathnamma (and another classmate Narasimha Murthy) he want to school. On the way he lost a gold collar pin that the Municipal Chairman at Bellary had gifted Raju. This greatly worried Raju. After the first period of class, the whimpering Raju went and complained to Seshama Raju of the loss. The latter rebuked him and asked him to tell his sister-in-law instead. Picking up his school bag and muttering to himself that ‘Maya is everything’ Raju left the school never to return again.

On the way home he met Anjaneyulu. Anjaneyulu, seeing a brilliant light around the boy’s face asked him what had happened. Raju did not answer but proceeded home.

The rest has become famous in history. Later in the morning when Anjaneyulu had come to know that Raju had declared his divinity, he rushed to Seshama Raju’s house. Seeing Raju, he immediately observed, “He is not Sathyam, he is Sai Baba Himself” and prostrated before him. He then reminded the boy, “You said you would come home for lunch. All the children are hungry and we are waiting for you.” Raju immediately got up, said, “Let us go” and left for Anjaneyulu’s house with brisk steps and the children struggling to keep pace. Raju asked Anjaneyulu’s wife, “Where is the boy?” Anjaneyulu asked Raju, “Sathyam, my dear child, what is the matter?” Raju replied, “I am not Sathyam, I am Baba. I have to live for the welfare of mankind. Do not stop me.”

Anjaneyulu was dumbfounded, understanding the purport of what the boy said. He was sure beyond doubt that Raju, their Sathyam, was Sai Baba, whom he so long worshipped. So on the very stone, the shrine of his Sai Baba of Shirdi, Anjaneyulu spread a tiger skin and made Raju sit on it. The Sai Baba Gundu (Sai Baba rock) became the first pedestal for the new avatar and Anjaneyulu his first herald.

After lunch, Raju retired to the rock again and was immersed in himself for two full days. While the others started bhajans and worship, Anjaneyulu put a velvet pillow under the boy’s head.

When he woke up, he desired to go to Seshama Raju’s house and thence to Puttaparthi. He promised to come to the Anjaneyulu house again for lunch before his final departure. On that day, the faithful Anjaneyulu worshipped the feet of the young Sai Baba and that of his parents. They were all garlanded. A photograph, now famous, was taken of the young Sai Baba and the strangely procured Shirdi Sai Baba statue. Very soon the young Baba left Uravakonda never to return again.

Ayyagaru, as Raju would fondly call Anjaneyulu, had helped to provide a link between the two divine incarnations at Sai Baba Gundu. This inanimate symbol of divine expression would even become spiritually potent in later years.

This little known Salt (Excise) Inspector was the first devotee of Sathya Sai Baba. Just as Mhalsapati was the first to recognise him in Shirdi as Sai, Anjaneyulu, too was the first to recognise him in Uravakonda as the young Sai Baba – “Behold the man.”

Years later (2000), Sri Sathya Sai Baba would Himself remark of this unassuming devotee, “He was the first to recognise My divinity.”

Anjaneyulu’s children have survived him and live in Anantapur as Sai devotees, in the memory of their father and mother and their divine association with Sai Baba at Uravakonda

Reference

Goddamurrai Anjaneyulu

Prof. Vishwanath Pandit Assumes The Mantle Of Vice Chancellorship At Sri Sathya Sai University, Prasanthi Nilayam

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Prof. Vishwanath Pandit Assumes The Mantle Of Vice Chancellorship At Sri Sathya Sai University, Prasanthi Nilayam
August 06, 2008

Poornachandra Auditorium that has a glorious tale of hosting events in Prasanthi Nilayam was yet again privileged to host a glittering ceremony, the changing over of the Vice Chancellorship of Sri Sathya Sai University. In a ceremony presided over by the Chancellor of the University, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and attended by a capacity crowd including students from all the three campuses, Prof. Vishwanath Pandit, a leading economist, has been handed over the mantle as the 8th Vice Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai University.

The stage that was decorated matching the grandeur of the occasion had the hallmark message from Bhagawan highlighted, for one and all to imbibe the true meaning of Education. “Saa Vidya Ya Vimuktaye”, meaning, ‘True Education grants you Liberation’ was the apt message adorned the stage that welcomed one and all when Bhagawan entered the auditorium at 9:50 a.m. On stage were the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Sri Anil Gokak, Mrs. Anil Gokak and the new incumbent Prof. Vishwanath Pandit. The programme began with Mr. Gokak and his wife being garlanded by the principals of the Prasanthi Nilayam and Anantapur campuses respectively. Recounting the instances wherein Mr. Gokak had shown a lot of care, concern and character at the expected lines set by Bhagawan, Sri Srirangarajan, faculty member from the School of Business Management, delivering his introductory speech, expressed profound gratitude to the outgoing Vice Chancellor for his yeomen, dedicated service to the institution.

Mr. Giri who addressed next, spoke of the glory of the story of the Institute. He highlighted on the sterling qualities of Mr. Gokak and Prof. Vishwanath Pandit. Overwhelmed by the grandeur and the magnitude of Bhagawan’s all conquering love, the outgoing Vice Chancellor, who spoke next, recounted how his father, Dr. Vinayak Krishna Gokak had experienced Bhagawan’s Divinity that resulted him to finally reaching at His Divine Lotus Feet. Speaking with overwhelming emotion, he expressed his firm conviction that Bhagawan would be with him always and he would be serving Him all through his life. As a conventional practice Bhagawan facilitated the couple with “Suvarna Kankanams” (golden bracelets).

Bhagawan commenced His Divine Discourse with a poem praising Bharat (India), saying that Bharat was such a sacred land where people were born, who were reputed across continents, who had driven away enemies attaining freedom, adding ‘concern’ that now people in the country have become like elephant that does not realise its strength.

The need of the hour is not merely education, but Educare. Educare means to manifest the innate noble qualities from within. Education is related to the outer world whereas educare is related to the inner world, said Bhagawan delivering His Divine Discourse blessing the occasion. Following are the excerpts from His Divine Discourse.

God is One…Goal is One…
Here are the main points from His Divine Discourse

• Man is the embodiment of God, endowed with all powers, but is unable to realise his innate powers as he is deluded with worldly feelings; He is living in grip of fear and is unable to face even small problem. Main reasn for this is the modern education.
• Modern Education helps you to eke out your living and earn money. Modern Education will give comforts to the body which is ephemeral. One may be having any amount of money, but it does not confer peace of mind. One can experience peace and happiness only by taking to spirituality. Bhagawan sang the first line of the Bhajan, “Bhajana Bina Sukha Shanti Nahi, telling that only through contemplating on God one can experience peace and happiness…
• In spite of all his learning a mean minded person cannot give up his evil qualities. What is the use of education, if it fails to confer peace of mind and coming to your rescue when your end approaches? Acquire that knowledge which will make you immortal. To acquire that knowledge one needs to have five human qualities, namely, Sathya, Dharma, Shanthi, Prema and Ahimsa, that is, Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love and Non-violence.
• The need of the hour is not merely education, but educare. Educare means to manifest the innate noble qualities from within. Education is related to the outer world whereas educare is related to the inner world.
• Man is essentially Divine. Because of his attachment with the body he considers himself a mere mortal, due to which he is unable to give up his evil tendencies.
• Whenever one gets evil thoughts one should remind himself that he is not an animal but a human being.
• One may be a scholar or an educated person but cannot be called a human being if he lacks evil qualities. Bhagawan cited the example of King Alexander.
• Gokak was the first Vice Chancellor who was an ardent devotee of Bhagawan and students and the institution is enjoying the benefit of his good work. He would obey My command in letter and spirit. Anil Gokak is the worthy son of the worthy father. He has completed there years of his tenure and today he is retiring. But, wherever they go, Bhagawan is always with them; Both husband and wife are ardent devotees.
• We do not give send off to anybody here; we always welcome everyone… welcome….welcome. They are not going anywhere away from Bhagawan.
• The entire world is created out of truth and merges in truth. Even tiny ants and insects, everything is embodiment of Divinity. There is no place where one cannot find God. Hence even if you are protected or punished, think that it happened because of God’s will. It is only God who does everything.
• People may put you to suffering, but still you should love them considering them as your own because the same Atma is present in all.
• Whether you go to America, India, Japan, Germany or Pakistan, Sun is one and the same. it is the same God who is present everywhere. When you think and contemplate on Rama and Krishna you can certainly see them.
• Do not think that God is different from his devotees. Always think that you are God.
• You say that this is my body, this is my mind…questioning yourself who are you? Once you give up the feeling of I and mine, you will know your reality.
• When there are thousand pots filled with water you will see the reflection of the sun in each pot. But once the pots are emptied, there would not be any reflection…similarly when you transcend your mind you will go beyond the feeling of I and mine.
• Today Vishwanath Pandit is taking over as the new Vice Chancellor. He is a good person, travelled all around the world. Many Vice Chancellors have come and gone. But, they have come and gone at the physical level. I am present in all of them as the Atma. Hence there is no question of anyone coming or going. However, one has to discharge his duties at the physical level. This duty is meant to establish relationship with God at physical level. Duty is God. Gokak has done his duty very well. He used to seek clarification from Me. I need such people in My Mission.
• One should always have the unity of thought, word and deed which is the hallmark of a true human being. Educare brings out the unity of these three. You do not need to search for a text book outside to understand Educare. Your heart is your text book. Follow your heart. Only then you become good boys and good people. Good people are God’s Own People.

Prof. Vishwanath Pandit, a noted economist, was earlier the adviser to the World Bank/advisor to Govt. of Srilanka, Dean at the prestigious Delhi School of Economics apart from holding various other distinguished positions and have more than hundred articles published in various international journals.

Prof. Vishwanath Pandit who was asked to address towards the end started with stating that being a man of few words, he had fewer words on such an overwhelming occasion. He thanked his predecessor for all the wonderful works done and prayed to Bhagawan to make him a worthy instrument. As he concluded, Bhagawan blessed him profusely before Arathi was offered to Bhagawan.

Reference (With Pictures)

RadioSai: Wednesday, August 6, 2008 – This morning, an auspicious shower preceded the change of Vice-Chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai University at the Poornachandra Auditorium. As announced yesterday, the ceremony got underway at 10 o’clock with the students singing bhajans as Bhagawan arrived onstage. Swami sat there, flanked by the incumbent and outgoing VCs, with Mrs. Gokak beside her husband. Ten minutes of bhajans were followed by an invocatory Vedic hymn by the students. Mr. and Mrs. Gokak were garlanded by the principals of the Prasanthi Nilayam and Anantapur campuses respectively. Sri. Srinivasan Srirangarajan then gave a speech, outlining Mr. Gokak’s term as VC, highlighting his transparency, helpful nature, and attention to detail. Sri. S. V. Giri, former Vice-Chancellor, spoke next, bringing out the contributions of both Sri. Anil Vinayak Gokak and his illustrious father, Dr. Vinayak Krishna Gokak, the first Vice-Chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai University. Sri. Gokak spoke next, praying for Swami’s blessings in his next endeavour, which is to organise the centenary celebrations of his late father.

Bhagawan stood up to deliver His Divine message after Sri. Gokak’s speech. Swami stressed that He is always with each and every one of us, and that with Him, there are no “goodbye”s, only “welcome”s. He urged all of us to remember that we are divine, though we use different names for our bodies for worldly convenience. After His 45 minute Discourse, Bhagawan asked the incumbent, Prof. Vishwanath Pundit, to speak. Prof. Pundit humbly stated in his short speech that he was only an instrument in the Divine Hands.

Swami blessed Mr. and Mrs. Gokak with bracelets. The function concluded with Arati ten minutes past noon while prasadam was distributed.

The Himachal youth had another musical presentation this evening. Bhagawan came onstage at 5.15 pm and the concert for the evening got underway. Ms. Sunanda Sharma sang in Hindustani classical style for an hour. Bhagawan then called her up and blessed her with a chain. The students sang a bhajan while the lady members of the Himachal group readied themselves for a musical presentation, with a couple of group songs. Bhagawan blessed the performers with clothes and chocolates while the students sang a couple of Bhajans till Arati at 6.50 pm.