SSSGC USA Mid-Atlantic Retreat Celebrates Sai Baba’s 100th Birth Year

May 27, 2026

SSSGC USA Mid-Atlantic Retreat Celebrates Sai Baba’s 100th Birth Year
SSSGC USA Mid-Atlantic Retreat Celebrates Sai Baba’s 100th Birth Year
SSSGC USA Mid-Atlantic Retreat Celebrates Sai Baba’s 100th Birth Year
SSSGC USA Mid-Atlantic Retreat Celebrates Sai Baba’s 100th Birth Year
SSSGC USA Mid-Atlantic Retreat Celebrates Sai Baba’s 100th Birth Year

Managing Trustee of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust Receives a Vibrant and Warm Welcome at Mid-Atlantic Region Retreat of SSSGC USA | May 24, 2026

The Mid-Atlantic Region (Region 2) of the Sri Sathya Sai Global Council (SSSGC), USA, accorded a joyous and heartfelt welcome to Mr RJ Rathnakar, Managing Trustee of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam, during its Regional Retreat. The event was held under the inspiring theme ‘Transform the Self, Transform the World’, dedicated to the grand global celebration of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s 100th Birth Year. In a beautiful coincidence, this sacred milestone was held at a historic campground surrounded by serene green nature, which was also celebrating its own centennial anniversary, having been founded exactly a century ago in 1926. Despite the damp weather outside, the participants' spirits remained divine, full of warmth throughout the weekend.

The retreat brought together around 1000 devotees from across the region in an atmosphere vibrant with devotion, unity, and selfless service. The energy was electric from the start, featuring a grand welcome ceremony where hundreds of devotees enthusiastically carried small hand flags of both the United States and India, beautifully symbolising the deep spiritual bond connecting the two nations. Mr Rathnakar was greeted with the joyful, rhythmic beats of dhol and a lively Bhangra performance by the Young Adults, alongside a colourful balloon parade organised by enthusiastic Sri Sathya Sai Education (SSSE) children.

The absolute highlight of the entire retreat was Mr Rathnakar's deeply moving address and the invaluable quality time he spent engaging with the regional family. Following a warm welcome address by Dr Susheel Bathla (Region 2 President) and an introductory address by Dr Balu Karanam (National President, USA), Mr Rathnakar addressed the congregation from a beautiful altar in the devotional hall that dedicated volunteers had lovingly worked for four days to build from scratch—transforming the space into a sanctuary that profoundly reminded everyone of the sacred Sai Kulwant Hall. On arrival, Mr Rathnakar also visited the beautiful and enchanting Swa