Shirdi Sai Sansthan NZ mark 10th anniversary by donating Ambulance to St Johns!

Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Sansthan of New Zealand Inc. located at 12/18 Princess Street at Onehunga in Auckland celebrated its 10th anniversary on 8-9 February at Mandir premises. The occasion marked the fulfilling of their pledge to donate a brand-new Volkswagen Ambulence to St Johns in its bid to support to the community cause. The founding President of Shirdi Sai Global Foundation Dr C B Satpathy popularly known as Guruji by Sai devotees presented a model of ambulance to the Patron of St Johns, Richard Blundell. The delivery of actual ambulance that was to be donated got delayed as it couldn’t be ready for actual handing over.
Dr C B Satpathy or Guruji is a widely respected scholar, philanthropist, writer, visionary, and a committed social worker, graced the 10th anniversary celebrations. Dr C B Satpathy is a former IPS officer with an illustrious career behind him who took up to spirituality and community work after completing his tenure. He has inspired setting up of schools as well as medical and veterinary care units in different parts of India and has been associated as their Patron and guide. Guruji carries out his noble mission in many countries across the globe and is the leading torch bearer of Sai movement in India and in the world. He has been spreading the teachings of Sai Baba and his message of service, peace, compassion, love, and tolerance expounded by Sai Baba during his lifetime.
The 10th anniversary program at Sai Mandir attracted a large number of people from all walks of life on both days. Many past and present office bearers of Shri Shirdi Sai Sansthan of New Zealand Inc. were present on this occasion. The prominent of the present were Mandir President Rama Rao Kadali, Vice President Uma Rao, Secretary Subarami Reddy, Mandir’s founding member and executive committee member Shivani Arora and all the Acharyas(priests) of Shirdi Sai Mandir. Shirdi Sai Mandir has been actively supporting and helping for the community cause during times of distress all these years including donating $12,000 to Starship every year for five years, organising food drives during Covid Pandemic and donating essential supplies to Fiji flood and cyclone victims in 2022. Mandir organises weekly congregation every Thursday evening where around 1500-1800 devotees have Prasad at Mandir. Several community leaders and dignitaries were honoured by Dr C B Satpathy on this occasion by presenting them the 10th anniversary memento.
Shirdi Sai Mandir’s journey started from New Zealand’s oldest temple, Bharatiya Mandir in 2002 where the Sai devotees started having regular Bhajans there. This continued for several years before the present Shirdi Sai Mandir sight was bought and the Mandir was readied to open doors for public in 2014. Today Shirdi Sai Mandir is one the biggest community hubs in Auckland for Indian community and offer many services for the benefit of its devotees. -TIN Bureau