Madhusudan Naidu and the compelling story of Annapoorna Breakfast Programme

Good health and good sense are two of life’s greatest blessings! A healthy body makes room for a healthy mind. Annapoorna Breakfast Programme (http://annapoorna.org.in) is another brand of benevolence that was constitutionalised by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in His current alacritous mission in the subtle form, spearheaded by Madhusudan Naidu (http://thestorydivine.com/about-madhusudan-naidu/) and Baba’s chosen devotees in the sphere of Health and Nutrition.

Annapoorna Breakfast Programme – ‘Let no child go to school hungry EVER!’ is a vision given by Baba Himself to his chosen communicator Madhusudan Naidu. And thus was born the Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust, a charitable Trust working for rural uplift and transformation in the disadvantaged sections of society through Nutrition, Health and Education, Water and Sanitation. This breakfast programme is a completely volunteer run programme consisting of volunteers from various walks of life including corporate professionals, doctors, entrepreneurs, students, house-holders.

The brains behind the execution of this programme, Madhusudan Naidu and a dear friend from old times, Anand Kadali in the year 2012, carefully studied the Global Nutrition Reports that read about the significant burden of malnutrition in India.

Sri Madhusudan Naidu

Baba, being the greatest philanthropist of our times, innerved Madhusudan Naidu, His exemplary instrument to identify the right resources to start breakfast service for needy school-going children in Government schools both in rural and urban India, completely free-of-cost. Anand Kadali, an abiding devotee of Baba for many years, a man of simple comportment with a large heart, knew that his life was incomplete without treading the path of selfless service laid out by his master, Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He was holding a run-of-the-mill job and the ups and downs of his life took him through a roller coaster ride. Nevertheless, the flame of his life’s purpose was burning bright. It was then that the Lord beckoned him through Madhusudan in the year 2011 for His mission and since then Anand’s life has assumed a new zing and zeal through this great service platform of Annapoorna.

Sri Anand Kadali 

This breakfast programme started in a very small scale at Doddabelle village near Bangalore as per Baba’s guidance given through Madhusudan Naidu. Anand had to travel 20 kms everyday along with a handful of dedicated volunteers to serve breakfast for the children there. It wasn’t a velvety ride for him. There were lot of challenges in terms of finances, human resources, time, energy which made the volunteers think, if this was just a flash in the pan project. But Baba constantly guided and encouraged Anand through Madhusudan Naidu, and the project gradually went more alive and kicking.

Since its inception in the year 2012 until now, 20 million breakfasts have been served to 110,000 children in 1500 Government schools across 16 States and 1 Union territory in India. 500 volunteers and 5000 support staff consider themselves propitious for this opportunity. Can you believe the way in which this project has take  wings in just a span of six years? Lo, this is no miracle for those who understand that this Divine mission is a sequel to Baba’s Avatharhood in His physical plane, and now the only difference is about Baba using His able instrument, Madhusudan Naidu to convey what He wants, and hundreds of instruments like Anand Kadali, Sai Prasad Ivaturi and Sathyanarayana execute them with in spite of all the challenges. For those who do not understand this phenomenon, this shall still be taken with a grain of salt trying to spot the Achilles’ heel.

Baba further inspired the Annapoorna team through Madhusudan Naidu to conduct Health screening camps at Government schools in line with the guidelines of the United Nations and the specifications of the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Divine Mother and Child Health Program (DMCHP), which is an initiative of Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals towards reducing maternal and child mortality by providing the required needs for pregnant mothers, is assisted by the Annapoorna team at various Primary Healthcare centres in Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka.

Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust awarded the “Best NGO in Eradicating Extreme Hunger” on the occasion of #NationalCSRSummit 

The Annapoorna mission has not left the zone of education untouched too. A first-of-its-kind initiative, Integrated Rural Development Programme with Nagarjuna College of Engineering and Technology to raise awareness among the youth population about the challenges in Rural India and make them contributors and not mere spectators, has been opened as a new chapter by the Annapoorna team. A one-year curriculum with three-hours theory and 20 hours practical has been formalized for 600 students in this college.

Around 40-50 needy children in the Government Schools have been provided with scholarship for education, and few of these children have been admitted into the Divine portals of some of the schools under Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Group of Institutions at completely no cost.

For a team that is always in the state of a get up and go attitude, further energised by Anand with the guidance of Baba through Madhusudan Naidu, additional service projects on Water and Sanitation only came as a hamper of excitement. Simple and cost-effective RO water plants, Bio-sand filters and smart cards were developed on a need-basis in the villages. 15 drinking water projects have been executed and 40,000 villagers have been blessed with access to clean and safe drinking water. In line with Swachh Bharath Abhiyan, 20 toilets have been constructed at some of the villages too.

The Annapoorna programme is already shored by more than 15 companies for the humanitarian work undertaken and they contribute in their own humane ways.

38% of children below five years in India are affected by ‘Stunting’ and 21% of children below five years in India are ‘Wasted’. 72% of infants have been identified as anaemic (Acc. to Global Nutrition Report 2017). And the above are just baby steps taken by the Annapoorna Team towards trekking the pinnacle and stretching the horizons to become the world’s largest Breakfast Programme and Ideal Village developers in the coming days.

During the Anniversary Celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Breakfast Programme in the Divine Presence 

This mission of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in His subtle presence is no house of cards that can be shaken easily. It is a robust substratum built on the grounds of faith and cemented with the immortal values of selflessness, inclusion and expansion. Its grandeur will only grow leaps and bounds, beyond one’s imagination, and spread light and love to the entire world. One may argue denying this fact till the cows come home. But the cows will come home, one day! And until then, the glory of this burgeoning mission of Sai in His subtle form shall remain an inviolable truth!

Madhusudan Naidu - a fearful or a fearless reality?

What is all this fuss about Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s continuing mission in the subtle form? Is Madhusudan Naidu ( http://thestorydivine.com )  playing to the gallery? Or is there truly something which not all are able to fathom? What is going on here? How can so many initiatives commence on a daily basis, quite literally? Is it humanly possible? All truth passes through three stages it is said, “First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident”, said Arthur Schopenhauer. After quietly watching the internet drama for some time now, I decided to do some digging and find out for myself about all this, and of course about Madhusudan Naidu, this led to my deep urge to write, and share my thoughts with all those who still have the faculty called ‘brain’...sort of intact! 

Swami said in His own words, “I am attached to a work that I love. To remove the sufferings of the poor and grant them what they lack.” When Swami was physically viable, He began the education mission for example, and the uniqueness of these Institutions is its emphasis on spiritual education along with worldly knowledge and skills, nurturing love for God and serving fellow human beings. Swami insisted that the knowledge gained by students in His Institutions, should be offered for the benefit of society, by cultivating the spirit of oneness. It is to teach this message that the Sai advent took place.

In one of the messages to passing out MBA students, Swami said, “Have the feeling that God is in You. Then God will manifest in front of you. As long as you think that God is in Puttaparthi, He remains there for you. But the moment you think that He is present wherever you are, He manifests Himself there!”

Well! These messages were rightly understood and assimilated by many. Many were inspired, transformed and invigorated. After reading the book ‘The Story Divine’, I realised that Madhusudhan Naidu was one among His students who took to these messages with utmost sobriety. The young man’s sincerity and purity probably rendered him ready to be in perfect tuning with Baba, thus allowing HIM to completely take over him. A state of oneness of HIM and him! For all the followers of Swami as God and for all those who trust in His wisdom, it is still difficult to believe that anyone can get Him to manifest in front of him/her. Didn’t Swami say during a discourse just 11 seconds is enough??

https://youtu.be/kZwl_4TT6rM

The subtle phenomenon actually began eons ago...even when Sai was in His physical form, He manifested in various places, was seen by many people, and of course everyone believed and happily reveled in a state of awe and joy! If anyone has read Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahamsa Yogananda there are references of Mahavatar Babaji communicating with him. Haven’t we heard about the visitation of the blessed Virgin Mary? Now for those who may not remember..let me narrate. Mary visited her relative, her cousin Elizabeth; they were both pregnant. Mary was pregnant with Jesus and Elizabeth was pregnant with John the Baptist. Mary left Nazareth immediately after the Annunciation and went “into the hill country…into a city of Judah” (Luke 1:39) to attend her cousin Elizabeth. The journey was about 100 miles, and Elizabeth was in the sixth month before Mary came (Luke 1:36). Mary stayed three months and departed just before John was born.

Catholics believe that the purpose of this visit was to bring divine grace to both Elizabeth and her unborn child. Even though he was still in his mother’s womb, John became aware of the presence of his Divine Saviour; he leapt for joy as he was cleansed from original sin and filled with divine grace. Elizabeth also responded and recognised the presence of Jesus. Thus Mary, now for the first time, exercised her function as mediatrix between God and man! Need I say more?

In August 2011 (Three months after Swami left His physical body), Swami in His subtle presence, instructed Madhusudhan Naidu and Sri B N Narasimha Murthy about an Educational Institution that needs to be established at Gulbarga (North Karnataka) and guided them to purchase a 50 acres land. I realised that when Madhusudan Naidu’s ‘friends’ were getting married and uploading their pictures all over facebook, when they were celebrating their child’s birth, their promotion, when they were getting upgraded to bigger cars, homes, position; here was Madhusudan Naidu toiling hard in arid Gulbarga to get the first campus up and running in time to keep up Swami’s promise! Since Swami left the physical frame, Madhusudan Naidu has assisted in starting 19 campuses since November 2012, and two tertiary care hospitals in India.

Sri Sathya Sai Vidyaniketanam, Gulbarga district (for boys): Grade 6 to Grade 10: https://vidyaniketanam.org
Sri Sathya Sai Sharadaniketanam, Mandya district (for boys): Grade 6 to Grade 10: https://sharadaniketanam.org
Sri Sathya Sai Divyaniketanam, Chikkamagalur district (for boys): Grade 6 to Grade 10: https://divyaniketanam.org
Sri Sathya Sai Sriniketanam, Chikkamagalur district (for girls): Grade 6 to Grade 10: https://sriniketanam.org
Sri Sathya Sai Centre for Human Excellence, Gulbarga district (for men and women): Graduation – www.sssche.org
Prashanti Bala Mandira Kannada Medium Higher Primary School, Chikkaballapur district (for girls): Kindergarten, Grade 1 to Grade 7: https://pbmprimaryschool.org
Prashanti Bala Mandira English Medium Girls High School, Chikkaballapur (for girls): Grade 6 to Grade 10: https://pbmhighschool.org
Sri Sathya Sai Premaniketanam, Bijapur district (for boys): Grade 6 to Grade 10: https://premaniketanam.org
Sri Sathya Sai Prashantiniketanam, Chikkaballapur district (for girls): Pre-University College: https://prashantiniketanam.org
Sri Sathya Sai Sathyaniketanam, Hassan district (for boys): Grade 6 to Grade 10: https://sathyaniketanam.org
Sri Sathya Sai Vaniniketanam, Gadag district (for girls): Grade 6 to Grade 10: https://vaniniketanam.org
Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Composite High School, Muddenahalli, Chikkaballapur district (for Boys): www.ssslst.org
Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Kendra, Muddenahalli, Chikkaballapur district (for boys): www.ssslst.org
Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Pre-University College, Muddenahalli, Chikkaballapur district (for boys): www.ssslst.org
*Sri Sathya Sai Prashantiniketanam, Hyderabad (for girls): Pre-University College
*Sri Sathya Sai Vishwaniketanam, Hampi district (for boys): Grade 6 to Grade 10
*Sri Sathya Sai Sevaniketanam, Koppal district (for boys): Grade 6 to Grade 10
*Sri Sathya Sai Karunyaniketanam, Tumkur district (for boys): Grade 6 to Grade 10
*Sri Sathya Sai Satthwaniketanam, Karwar district (for boys): Grade 6 to Grade 10

And as far at the Gulbarga Campus goes, resources surged in by the Divine will, and the Institution was christened by Swami as Sri Sathya Sai Vidyaniketanam. Thenceforth, the education mission of Baba in the current empyreal realm, continued to gain impetus and 19 Campuses started functioning since November 2012. These Institutions have been set up in the most naturalistic settings in the rural hinterlands of Karnataka bequeathing the gift of education completely free of cost. It is worth knowing that children from the back of beyond are brought to the front of classrooms in these Institutions. Children from impoverished backgrounds are given first priority in the admission process. Over 5000 such deserving students are recipients of this education today.

How are these Institutions any different from the ones established by Swami in His physical form?  A colligation of facts from the beginning that read about the uniqueness of Swami’s educational Institutions applies to these Institutions as well. One must see it to believe it!

In spite of such tangible humanitarian work taking wings in unimaginable propulsion, why Madhusudhan Naidu is the target of the devotees of Baba? Is he to be blamed for stepping up to the plate instead of feeling like pennies waiting for a change? Are the various questions raised by these devotees just smoke and mirrors to push the good work to the back-burner? 

For example, Madhusudan Naidu has also played his part in getting the 120,000 school going children served with fresh cooked breakfast every single morning...for all those who don’t know...it’s called the Annapoorna ( http://annapoorna.org.in )  Breakfast programme! These children who are beneficiaries will be able to stand on their feet, and even help others, for they are learning a beautiful value called ‘Gratitude’. Gratitude to society who is nourishing them.

And what have we done worthwhile in the past years other than bang our heads on the keyboard, talk and write whatever came to mind about something we have not experienced, and vehemently deny the fact that Swami can do anything? And of course accuse Madhusudan Naidu? Well, who are we mere mortals to question or even remotely fathom His actions?!

Truly, Madhusudan Naidu is a hero to many...because he chose God over everything else. How many of us have the courage to leave EVERYTHING behind and do this?! He is leading his life purposefully! So when I put my head towards all this, I questioned as to how all this can happen without some higher power guiding? And then I also realised that there is no end of rubbish thinking without actually seeing first hand! . “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win”, said Mahatma Gandhi. 

Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for some time, but it aint’ goin’ away!

Madhusudan Naidu and the story of the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals

Let’s understand the realism of the healing power of the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals . The story is beautiful, touching, and pretty unbelievable. Two people, Madhusudan Naidu and C Sreenivas were guided by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in the ‘subtle’, and they embarked on an unknown journey, not knowing what to expect. All that their Master told them was, “We will start a heart Hospital for little children in Naya Raipur.” And off they went to Chhattisgarh. Madhusudan Naidu, an alumnus from the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning who bagged two gold medals for all his hard work and brilliance, hailed from Chhattisgarh. At that time in mid 2011, Madhusudan Naidu was a young successful banker who had just given up a blooming career to follow his heart and his Master, and wasn’t sure at all on how to proceed. A tall order it was, ‘let’s build a hospital’, but Madhusudan Naidu had the courage and conviction that if the Master has spoken, then it was to manifest! And for Sri C Sreenivas? Well, it was like walking into a land he had absolutely no clue about! But, just look at the conviction, strength, grit and tenacity of this man...he moved lock, stock and barrel to Naya Raipur. Through rain and storm, heat and more heat, braving every challenge, he walked door to door, met scores of people, simply to ensure Swami’s word would not fail! Many people say, if Swami says something it must happen! But little do they realise that if He has spoken, to make His word manifest, the effort on the part of humans is definitely required! Divine Sankalpa combined with human effort is the divine recipe for every act. 

Let us unravel the inside story of this wonderful chain of hospitals.

Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital, Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh

While Madhusudan Naidu played the catalyst to bring the thought of the hospital at Naya Raipur, C Sreenivas (former member of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Puttaparthi until year 2008) championed the humane cause of curing little hearts to give the world massive gifts of new lives, taking care to abide by the four founding principles of all the Sathya Sai Healthcare Institutions which are: Healthcare for all without any discrimination, Healthcare offered free of cost, Healthcare with compassion and love and Healthcare for spiritual care. Of course, the question was why a pediatric cardiac hospital. Upon some research it was evident that the burden and pain of Congenital Heart Diseases (CHD) on children and their families is a cruel and unfortunate reality of our times. Sadly, it is the commonest disease at birth in India and its curative care is inadequate and often inaccessible. With close to three lakh children born every year with CHD and prevalence of 25 million of the population with CHD, the need was to establish pediatric cardiac care facilities to share the National and Global burden of CHD.

Under Baba’s direct guidance through Madhusudan Naidu, the job was executed to the letter and the Divine compassion manifested itself as the lands, the buildings, the doctors, the technicians, the support staff and not least of all, the little angelic cherubs who made the entire team feel lucky for the heaven-sent opportunities.

In the city of Naya Raipur, the capital of the central state of Chhattisgarh, the very first heart-shaped edifice, Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Centre for Child Heart Care, came about as a representation of India’s heart full of love and compassion. November 23, 2012 was the D-day for the Hospital emerging alive with the commencement of services and since then, it has been on a tread mill of philanthropic adventure of curative care. For Madhusudan Naidu and C Sreenivas, it was a day when His word had seen fruition. 

Also, a dedicated Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization Lab started functioning at the Hospital from October 2017, and India’s first free-of-cost Pediatric Cardiac Sub-Specialty Clinics were also established at this Centre in February 2018.

Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani International Centre for Child Heartcare and Research, Baghola, Palwal district - Haryana

And then, plans for a second shoot emerged northward at Baghola, Palwal district, Haryana in November 2016, just an hour’s drive from the country’s capital. This Centre carried an added feather to its cap, as the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani International Centre for Child Heartcare and Research. Apart from conducting cardiac surgeries and consultations, this hospital is also research-oriented towards a systematic approach for creating new knowledge about the root causes of congenital heart diseases in children. The research studies are underway since June 2018 with the inauguration of what would become India’s largest Biobank for CHD. 

The two hospitals worked hand in glove to successfully perform close to 6000 child heart surgeries and over 60,000 little hearts mended already free of cost! No cash counters absolutely! Well, of course we are talking about an Institution based on the philosophy of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, ‘every child born should have access to free healthcare, nutrition and education!’

These hospitals are not just Centres where children go under the knife or otherwise, but they are also Centres where anyone who comes in touch with the Sanjeevani culture and experience, sing a different tune for their own life and the lives around them, which is enriched sanguinity. And unique initiatives are an added impetus to the Sanjeevani medical team.

‘Matru Chhaya’ is an initiative where the mothers are trained and counselled to take care of their children during pre-operative and post-operative periods. 

‘Doctors with compassion’ is an orientation programme to shift gears of the medical profession by converting ‘doctors’ to ‘healers’. 

‘Gift of life’ is yet another conceptualisation of entrusting the child back to their parents as a regenerated life, that carries the highest value.

Sri Sathya Sai Sowbhagyam Centre for Human Development, Naya Raipur 

Sri Sathya Sai Sowbhagyam Centre for Human Development, right next to the Hospital in Naya Raipur is a magnificent architecture that provides the much-needed energy for the vitality of every life to thrive fully. Art and cultural programmes by renowned artists, educational activities, international conferences, sessions for spiritual raptures, fitness disports take place in this Centre.

Any good work is God’s work, it is said. And of course all good work does get noticed. The Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Centre for Child Heart care was adjudged as ‘The Best Hospital’ in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra by eminent media channel, IBC 24, after the Hospital completed 1000 pediatric cardiac surgeries in June 2015. Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Centre for Child Heart care was also awarded the SACH BHARAT SAMMAN 2015 by ASSOCHAM, Times Foundation and SREI Foundation in recognition for ‘Spirituality at Work’.

ASSOCHAM’S MEDCON Congress, the flagship Health Summit of ASSOCHAM – The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry in India, held in March 2016 recognised these hospitals as the ‘Best Single Speciality Hospital of the Year’ in India.

And Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani’s magnanimity is not just confined to India! It is worth noting that a delegation from the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Team from Naya Raipur went to Fiji Islands in August 2016 and April 2018 to give the gift of life to 49 little hearts by conducting Pediatric Cardiac Surgeries, totally free-of-cost in coordination with the Sai Prema Foundation, Fiji. This was under the ‘Overseas Child Heart Care Mission in Developing Countries Initiative’ by Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital at the CWM Hospital, Suva, Fiji. The acting Prime Minister, Attorney General and Minister for Economy of Fiji Islands, Hon. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum met the ten-member medical team and shared his deepest gratitude for the team.  After all, can there be any boundaries that differentiates the anatomy of the physical hearts or the emotions that lie within, from country to country?

Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Mr Raman Singh and the then Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Venkaiah Naidu at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital in Naya Raipur 

Esteemed personalities like the Hon. Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi who inaugurated both the Hospitals, Current Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, Internationally renowned boxing champion, Mary Kom, the ever-green cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, ‘Master Blaster’ Sachin Tendulakar, and scores of others have been passionate patrons of this movement. As they step inside these temples of healing, they are indeed overcome with a deep sense of gratitude to Sri Sathya Sai Baba for He is one who showed the way to this glorious initiative of mending little hearts to Madhusudan Naidu and C Sreenivas, the two men, nay...missionaries in 2011.

The story of Sanjeevani has turned over a new leaf leading to its next exciting chapter. Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Centre for Child Heartcare and Training in Pediatric Cardiac Skills will be inaugurated at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai in November 2018. The ground-breaking ceremony for this new Hospital was held in November 2017 and was performed by Sri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Sri Sachin Tendulkar. The unique aspect about this Centre is that, apart from surgeries and consultations, it will operate a training centre for surgeons and para medical professionals.

And on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 another chapter will open with the inauguration of 'Chirayu Chhattisgarh Centre of Excellence in Pediatric Cardiac Care and Training' at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Centre for Child Heart Care in collaboration with the Government of Chhattisgarh in the presence of Dr Raman Singh, Honourable Chief Minister, Government of Chhattisgarh. ‘Chirayu Chhattisgarh’, an endeavour to detect and cure infants and children with heart diseases, was launched by Government of Chhattisgarh and Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Centre for Child Heart Care, Naya Raipur on August 05, 2017. 

From that first day at Naya Raipur to this very day in Mumbai, it’s been a long journey for the team at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani, Sri C Sreenivas and Madhusudan Naidu. A complete Healthcare system – Preventive, Educative and Curative! Sanjeevani is the only assured hope and the only certain beginning for every child’s heart across the globe!