Puttaparthi Conclave: VP, CM Naidu, and Minister Lokesh Grace SSSIHL Convocation & Centenary - AP Events

 

Puttaparthi, the spiritual capital of Andhra Pradesh, recently hosted a major convergence of national and state leadership.¹ The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, visited Prasanthi Nilayam on November 22, 2025, to preside over the 44th Annual Convocation of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL).

The event, which was a highlight of the ongoing Sri Sathya Sai Centenary Celebrations, was also graced by the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu and Minister for HRD, IT, and Electronics, Shri Nara Lokesh. This significant gathering underscored the shared commitment of the Central and State Governments to values-based education, research, and the vision of a developed India.

The Conclave of Leadership: Highlighting SSSIHL's Ethos

The 44th Convocation was a prestigious affair, witnessing the admission of 510 graduands to various degrees.³ The presence of the top leadership amplified the institution's message of holistic education.

• Chief Guest: Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan delivered the convocation address.⁴

• Guest of Honour: Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu.

• Ministerial Presence: Minister Shri Nara Lokesh addressed the students, commending SSSIHL for moulding "character-driven graduates."⁵

The Vice President lauded the unique model of SSSIHL, which offers world-class, free, values-based education—a testament to the vision of its founder, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who envisioned an education system where service is a way of life.

VP's Vision: From Values to Viksit Bharat @ 2047

In his powerful address, the Vice President urged the graduating class to integrate their professional excellence with social commitment, aligning their careers with the national aspiration.

Key Takeaways from the Vice-President's Address:

• Viksit Bharat Alignment: He exhorted the youth to contribute meaningfully to the Viksit Bharat @ 2047 vision, positioning India as a global hub of innovation and peace.

• Technology & Ethos: Shri Radhakrishnan emphasized that future generations must skillfully adopt emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, and Machine Learning while remaining deeply anchored to India’s spiritual ethos and values.

• Compassion in Economy: He stressed that economic power has true value only when accompanied by compassion, citing India's selfless action in providing vaccines to many nations during the pandemic.

• Social Responsibility: The Vice President issued a strong call for youth to "Say No to Drugs" and act as ambassadors of Bharat's spiritual ethos, humanity, and discipline.

Beyond Degrees: Focus on Research and Innovation

A key highlight of the visit was the inauguration of a major research facility, signaling a renewed focus on scientific and biomedical advancement.

• Inauguration of the Biobank: The Vice President formally inaugurated the state-of-the-art Sri Sathya Sai Biobank & Research Hub at Prasanthi Nilayam.⁸ This facility is poised to significantly boost the nation's capabilities in biomedical research, AI-enabled predictive healthcare, and diagnostics.

• Academic Recognition: The Vice-Chancellor noted that the Ministry of Education recently recognized SSSIHL as a Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems—a distinction of great honor and responsibility.⁹

• CM Naidu's Call: Chief Minister Naidu, in his address, urged the students to make "service, service, and service" their first, second, and third languages, praising the worldwide impact of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What was the main event attended by the Vice President in Puttaparthi?

A: The main event was the 44th Annual Convocation of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), which took place on November 22, 2025.

Q2: Which political leaders accompanied the Vice President?

A: The Vice President was accompanied by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu (Guest of Honour), and the State Minister for HRD, IT, Electronics & Communication, Shri Nara Lokesh.

Q3: What new facility was inaugurated during the visit?

A: The Vice President inaugurated the Sri Sathya Sai Biobank & Research Hub, a new state-of-the-art facility dedicated to biomedical research, innovation, and AI-enabled healthcare.

Q4: What was the significance of the timing of this visit?

A: The visit coincided with the ongoing grand Centenary Celebrations of the founder, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, which drew devotees and dignitaries from across the globe.