Birth Centenary of Sri Sathya Sai Baba

A Global Messenger of Love, Service, and Human Values

Sri Sathya Sai Baba was born on 23 November 1926 in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. At the age of 14, he began his spiritual mission to foster the universal human values of truth (satya), righteous conduct (dharma), peace (shanti), love (prema), and non-violence (ahimsa). Emphasizing the unity of all religions, he dedicated his life to uplifting humanity through compassion, service, and selfless love.

A Legacy of Institutions Built on Service

Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s message of love in action inspired the establishment of numerous institutions dedicated to education, healthcare, and rural development, benefitting millions across India and around the world.

The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSSCT) carries forward his vision by offering free services without any discrimination of caste, creed, nationality, or religion. Recognised by the United Nations ECOSOC with Special Consultative Status, the Trust runs:

• Two super-speciality hospitals
• Two general hospitals
• Two mobile hospitals

Together, these healthcare institutions treat nearly 3,000 outpatients every day, entirely free of cost. The hospitals are cited by NITI Aayog as exemplary not-for-profit, faith-based healthcare models, reflecting the principle of “Service to society is service to God.”

Transformative Contributions to Education

In the field of education, the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) offers free undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes, blending academic excellence with character development. More than 5,000 students benefit from these institutions each year.

Additionally, about 102 Sri Sathya Sai Schools, educating nearly 60,000 children, receive financial assistance through the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation (SSSSO) to improve infrastructure such as buildings, furniture, and digital facilities—ensuring quality education reaches the grassroots.

Rural Upliftment and Social Welfare

Sri Sathya Sai Baba envisioned rural transformation as essential to national progress. Under his guidance, major drinking water projects now supply safe water to over 1,600 villages and three million people across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.

Other key initiatives include:

• Sai Mitra Solar Energy Project, producing 6.1 MW of clean power
• Disaster relief and rehabilitation
• Construction of homes for affected families
• Free meals for nearly 100,000 people every day

To instil values in the younger generation, the Bal Vikas programme educates more than 4,00,000 children, guided by 20,000 voluntary teachers.

Philatelic Honour

To commemorate the Birth Centenary of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Department of Posts proudly releases a Commemorative Postage Stamp, honouring a spiritual leader whose message of universal love and selfless service continues to illuminate lives across the world.