Every inmate, student, employee, and alumni of the university
(Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana - S-VYASA) is aware of the man praised for his simplicity, helpfulness, and charity. He is none other than our late beloved Balaram Bhaiya/Balaram/Ballu. On Thursday, March 30, 2023, early morning, Balaram passed away.

We are all aware of how graciously he used to sit next to us to help us on "Statistics," analysing and interpreting the data, and assisting us all in drafting our theses and manuscripts for publications. He did not conduct research for himself, but he did assist many scholars in finishing their PhDs on schedule. Balaram's close associates have closely observed him and found him to be very sincere at work, investing a lot of time in learning about computer software, its value in advancing academia, and how well it can be used to format a thesis, organise data systematically for bio-statistical analysis, among other things.

Unknown to many of us, Balaram was born and brought up in a very poor family and isolated region of West Odisha. In order to get him for his primary and upper primary education, he was used to walk 5 kms every day. He was bound to relocate to a nearby small industrial area to finish high school and college. Since, he had sickle cell anemia symptoms, symptoms such as spells of discomfort, swelling in his hands and feet, numerous infections, anemia, and visual issues were very common during his college days. After consulting with every doctor in the country, Balaram's father was finally forced to admit him to the All Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, where the super specialists were able to track the progression of his anemia and decide whether to do a splenectomy. His spleen was removed by the surgeons at AIIMS as he was not keeping good health and the capillaries within his spleen were getting blocked with RBCs.

His father took him to a yoga instructor in Bhubaneswar, Orissa since he was suffering very badly with sickle cell anaemia, and the instructor recommended that Balaram go to Bangalore to follow a yoga lifestyle under the guidance of Dr. H R Nagendra Guruji and Dr. Nagarathna didi. In the year 2000, Balaram visited Prashanti Kuteeram to enrol in a Yoga instructor course (YIC) and started liking the place. He later went on to successfully complete doctoral studies at the Hindu University of America (HUA) and a PhD at the S-VYASA. After then, he continued to serve Prashanti as Hanuman did to his Lord. He found a healthy environment and gladly lived among the students and staff, forgetting his illness. He eventually enjoyed a pain-free, happy life for more than 20 years.

He made immeasurable and enduring contributions to Prashnati. His selfless deed will always be remembered by the entire student community. Being a good samaritan , he was able to provide financial assistance for other students to continue their education whereever he found deemed. For many, he served as a father figure, mentor, and brother. He was a motivator for a lot of students, scholars and staff. Hence it won't be a mistake to state that his life was a solo endeavor.

He was consistently observed working, spending time with students, and enhancing the students' knowledge of yoga therapy and its special techniques. He was not only an excellent teacher, but also a skilled yoga practitioner. Following a brief introduction to his life, a few of his close aides chose to support his family as they worked to establish a non-profit organization in the name of Balaram. This organization's primary mission is to raise public awareness of the struggles, successes, and educational needs of the children, living below the poverty line across the Bharath.

Therefore, may we make an appeal to generously help for this charitable organisation to be able to assist as many children living in poverty as possible. As Balram’s life was also a hardship and he made it his life's work to assist the student's education, the aforesaid organization will only help for the needy and children under poverty line deprived of education.