“What impressed me most about the Devnar Foundation is that, along with providing secular education, it also teaches its students spiritual wisdom through the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavadgita. More importantly, it instills such confidence in the students that they never allow the thought of being disabled to take root in their minds,” said Dr. L.V. Gangadhara Sastry, renowned Bhagavadgita singer, preacher and propagator, and founder chairman of Bhagavadgita Foundation.
Dr. Sastry said that it gave him immense joy to see the Devnar Foundation functioning in accordance with the principles of Sanatana Dharma. He also appreciated the fact that administrators and teachers from schools for visually impaired students in other countries visit the Devnar School in Hyderabad to learn about its educational and management practices, draw inspiration and take those experiences back to their institutions.
Drawing a distinction between physical sight and inner vision, Dr. Sastry said, “Ordinarily, when I deliver Bhagavadgita discourses, the audience listens while looking at me. Here, however, the students listen with divine vision and complete purity of heart.” He described the students as being blessed with the grace of the Divine and praised their determination and inner strength.
Referring to the Bhagavadgita verse “Uddhared Ātmanātmānam”, Dr. Sastry explained that the mind itself can become one’s greatest friend or greatest enemy and that every individual should strive to uplift oneself rather than allow oneself to decline. He said that remembering and practicing this teaching can help a person overcome limitations and move forward with confidence.
Dr. Sastry said that the students of Devnar do not evoke sympathy but instead inspire admiration, pride and motivation. “The joy I have experienced here today is beyond words. I pray that every student of this institution rises to a level that makes the entire nation proud and becomes a source of pride for this school,” he said.
Dr. L.V. Gangadhara Sastry attended the 35th Anniversary Celebrations of Devnar Foundation as the Chief Guest and addressed the gathering. Before the formal program, he watched with tears of joy the dance ballet “Padmavati Srinivasa Kalyanam”, presented by the students based on the devotional compositions of Annamacharya.
Dr. Sastry praised the students for presenting the dance performance with a level of perfection comparable to that of sighted children. He offered special appreciation to Akshara, who trained the students in dance, for her dedicated efforts.
He then asked the visually impaired students to recite several verses from the Bhagavadgita. Deeply impressed by the clarity and precision of their pronunciation, Dr. Sastry praised the students wholeheartedly and encouraged them to continue their pursuit of knowledge and excellence.
Dr. Sastry conveyed his birthday greetings and blessings to renowned ophthalmologist and Padma Shri awardee Dr. Sai Baba Goud, founder of Devnar School, and his wife Smt. Jyothi. He also extended his congratulations and blessings on the 35th anniversary of the institution.
Describing Devnar Foundation as a remarkable “sacred center of service and knowledge” that everyone should visit, Dr. Sastry praised Dr. Sai Baba Goud for dedicating his life to the service of visually impaired students. He said that having risen with the support of society and subsequently repaid that debt through selfless service, Dr. Sai Baba Goud is a blessed individual and an exemplary role model.
A particularly noteworthy moment was when the students conveyed birthday wishes to Dr. Sai Baba Goud in Sanskrit. Dr. Gangadhara Sastry also extended his heartfelt congratulations to Sri Ramakrishna, Administrative Officer of Devnar, for carrying out his responsibilities with dedication and excellence.
