HISTORY OF SSSBC OF NED, PENANG
(Updated)
SSSBC NED was founded in the 1980's by a team of staunch and dedicated devotees led by the late Bro. Gan Ewe Beng. With the encouragement of his close friend, Datuk J. Jegathesan, Bro. Gan organized the first ever Sai Bhajan in Penang. It was held at the Lee Association in Jalan Burmah and attendance was estimated at around 700 participants. Following the good response, the group continued to conduct monthly house bhajans amongst family and friends – and so began an era of love, selfless service and devotion spanning some 40 years until the present time working tirelessly for Sai.
Basically, the formation of NED is the result of two bhajan groups i.e. the Bangkok Lane group and the Penang Street group coming together to form a full-fledged centre. Bro. Gan was elected as its first Chairman while Bro. Thum (from Penang Street) its first Hon. Secretary and Bro. Poh Kuan (from Penang Street) its first Hon. Treasurer. The need to hold weekly bhajans and to put the various wings into action led to a search for a common venue where devotees from both sides can converge for weekly bhajan and satsang.
In 1993, the group identified the Shiva Shakthi temple located in Mount Erskine Road as a suitable venue to carry out our Sai activities. The temple was subsequently demolished for reconstruction in 1997. This led to a search for a new venue and with the help and determined efforts of several Sai members, Bro Gan managed to raise the funds needed to purchase a shop lot in Desa Intan, Farlim. Our Centre was officially opened on 28 December 1997.
NED has come a long way since its inception. Through the love and sacrifice of centre devotees, a number of activities were undertaken for many years, namely: a) the running of Bal Vikas classes by two dedicated teachers, Sis. Maggie Teoh and the late Sis. Anjaly Suppiah to provide value-based lessons and moral grounding to children of Sai devotees; b) seva activities like the weekly collection of donated vegetables to poor families both in Penang and the mainland, monthly hair cutting for inmates of old folks’ homes and yearly health and hygiene checkups including deworming for children in orphanages and children’s homes, not forgetting tuition classes.
Spiritual activities included weekly Bhagavad Gita classes conducted in NED as well as Penang Centre, Prai Centre, Gelugor Centre and senior devotees’ homes. Study circles were also held monthly to reflect and discuss Sai teachings and its practice and are still carried on today.
Our service activities continue to play a foremost role in our Centre’s activities and presently include bi-monthly Narayana Seva providing dry rations to about 20 poor families in various parts of Penang, distribution of daily necessities and meals for several old folks’ homes. We expanded our service activities to India in 2022 with the donation of three water pumps and regular distribution of dry rations and clothing to poor villages in various parts of India.
With the grace of Bhagawan, NED held a grand celebration on 29th September 2019 to mark its 35th Anniversary. This happy occasion was graced by Bro. Mahendran, Bro. Billy Fong and Bro. Tan Kim Teik.
Todate, NED has 66 members, 22 of whom are Active members. As we celebrate Bhagawan’s 100th Birthday, we reaffirm our commitment to His Mission and His Vision while preserving love, service and righteousness as the cornerstones of our lives.
Jai Sai Ram.
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Enquiries
Chairman: Bro. Alan Chew (012 4891108)
Secretary: Sis. Marian Chew (016 4748212)
Treasurer: Bro. Lim Tee Keng (012 4730211)
Reg. Address: 7A-01-06 Desa Intan, Lebuhraya Thean Teik, Farlim, 11500 Penang
Email: alanchew05@gmail.com
Website: ssbcned@blogspot.com
WEEKLY SUNDAY BHAJANS - 7 P.M.
STUDY CIRCLES EVERY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH - 8.15 P.M.
