Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday called on the people to emulate Satya Sai Baba's commitment to serve the poor and downtrodden.
Delivering the 29th convocation address at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning at Prasanthi Nilayam, the Prime Minister said, "We cannot succeed without providing value-based education to the youth. In this endeavor, you are breaking new ground. Others should follow the path that you have chartered to make both learning and character building universal in the realm of our education."
Dr. Singh said that he was deeply impressed with the work undertaken in Puttaparthy to help the people of 731 villages that were drought-prone districts of AP.
The Prime Minister also lauded the excellent work done by the Super Specialty Hospital that took medical care to the poorer sections of society.
Dr. Singh said the Sai Baba's benevolence and philanthropy should be an example to millions of people in the country who had the means but were not able to emulate it.
The convocation was held on the eve of Sri Sathya Sai Baba's 85th birthday on November 23rd.
The Prime Minister handed over merit certificates to 23 students.
Governor E S L Narasimhan, Chief Minister K Rosaiah, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Stalin, former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan and National Disaster Management Committee member Marri Shasidhar Reddy attended the convocation.