🌟 SPARKLAB 1.0 Inaugural Ceremony: SSSIHL Ushers in a New Era of Purpose-Driven Innovation
Prasanthi Nilayam, May 5, 2025
The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) inaugurated SPARKLAB 1.0, its pioneering startup incubation and innovation training program, at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus. Centered around the theme “Where Values Meet Vision,” this initiative blends entrepreneurship with the core ideals of service, spirituality, and societal transformation.
The event marked a significant milestone for the university, drawing together faculty, students, alumni, and leaders from across the Sai ecosystem to celebrate a shared vision of innovation anchored in human values.
Opening Remarks: A Seed of Innovation Takes Root
Prof. Pallav Kumar Barua, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences and a key leader of the SSSIHL Innovation Council, opened the session with an inspiring narrative. He traced SPARKLAB’s genesis to the success of Startup Day 2025, where over 50 ideas were received, and 28 projects shortlisted in areas such as healthtech, agritech, edtech, AI, EVs, and sustainable textiles.
He acknowledged the efforts of 25+ mentors, trainers, and alumni volunteers, including contributors to the development of the SPARKLAB website. More than a startup program, he described SPARKLAB as a movement rooted in service and national development, aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047 and Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s mission of human upliftment.
“This is the moment when every step of yours is going to count,” Prof. Barua concluded.
A Vision Beyond the Classroom: Address by the Vice-Chancellor
Prof. Raghavendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor of SSSIHL and a renowned space scientist, delivered a compelling keynote emphasizing the Institute’s commitment to innovation as a “way of life.” He highlighted SPARKLAB’s integration with the Sri Sathya Sai Research & Innovation Foundation, a Section 8 company created to support impactful, values-aligned ventures.
“Even simple hostel innovations—the jugaad—reflect the spirit of real innovation,” he remarked.
He urged students to use their creativity in addressing four key societal areas:
- Education
- Healthcare
- Rural Development
- Environmental Sustainability
A Family’s Dream Realized: Reflections from Sri Nimesh Pandya
Speaking virtually, Sri Nimesh Pandya, All India President of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, shared heartfelt reflections on the long-standing dream of integrating innovation with values. Recalling the enthusiasm of Sai youth from 1977, he described SPARKLAB as a fulfillment of Swami’s vision, especially meaningful in the Centenary Year of Bhagawan Baba.
He pledged full support from the Sai Seva Organisations, emphasizing that SPARKLAB would stand apart due to its spiritual foundation and commitment to inner transformation.
Purpose with Perseverance: Insights from Sai Sudha Nunna
Sai Sudha Nunna, entrepreneur, mentor, and SPARKLAB Co-Chair, spoke from personal experience. Reflecting on her own entrepreneurial journey, she asked:
“Can I build something meaningful without giving up what matters—family, children, service?”
“Yes,” she answered with conviction.
She described SPARKLAB as a space not driven by hustle, but by clarity, discipline, and reflection, emphasizing that meaningful innovation comes from deep listening and consistent inner work.
The Roadmap Ahead: Keynote by Mr. NLS Murthy
Mr. NLS Murthy, Co-Chair of SPARKLAB and a technology industry veteran, unveiled the program’s structure. He called SPARKLAB a “structured yet personal accelerator” that encourages awareness and thoughtful decision-making over blind execution.
“The goal isn’t to launch every idea—it’s to arrive at a decision point with awareness,” he shared.
He presented the 8-week journey, including:
- Problem identification
- Design thinking
- Market research
- Mentorship & feedback
Participants will be supported through a mix of expert guidance, peer learning, and introspective inquiry.
Inspiration for the Journey: Divine Benediction
The session concluded with a powerful recorded message from Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, reinforcing the values at the heart of SPARKLAB:
- Master the mind and live simply
- Serve selflessly and uphold discipline
- Respect parents and teachers
- Prioritize culture and values over material pursuits
This message remains the moral compass for every SPARKLAB participant.
The Beginning of a Sacred Experiment
In his vote of thanks, Dr. Sai Smaran summarized the collective emotion of gratitude and hope:
“The seed is sown, and from tomorrow, the growth begins.”
With that, SPARKLAB 1.0 was officially set in motion—poised to be not just a startup incubation program, but a sacred journey where innovation is guided by values, and every entrepreneur is an instrument of transformation.
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