MB#98: 𝘼 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧: 𝘼 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮'𝙨 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙋𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙙 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙥.

[MemoirBlogthon #98] In this special blog penned by Author Suryanarayana SV, who positions himself as a dedicated news correspondent, the atmosphere of the November 23, 2025, Centenary Birthday Celebration is brought vividly to life. This blog highlights the profound opening sessions: the welcoming remarks emphasizing Sri Sastry's "Roots and Travel" philosophy, the reminder about the Memoir Blogthon, and the dual celebration with the author's 71st birthday. The centerpiece of the report is the spellbinding devotional discourse (pravachanam). The climax was the special release of a customized postal stamp sheet and a powerful reflection on why these multigenerational reunions are essential to preserving heritage. For those who missed it, the report details exactly why the gathering was an event to remember forever.

MB#98A: How One Family's Gathering Sparked a Multigenerational Reconnection and Celebrated Shared Values.

Family Gathers to Honor the Pillar of Integrity.

HYDERABAD, India — It wasn't just another Sunday gathering. On November 23, 2025, a meticulously organized 'Family & Well-wishers Reunion' took place at the Banquet Hall in Executive Park, the abode of the hosts, marking the 100th birth anniversary of (late) Sri Susarla Subrahmanya Sastry garu (born 1925, passed 2015). The event, anchored by his eldest son, Sri Susarla Venkata Suryanarayana, who took on the role of journalist and anchor, was a dual celebration, coinciding with Mr. Suryanarayana’s 71st birthday.

The preparation was evident from the moment the invitation—sent well in advance—stressed, "Your presence is the greatest gift. No gifts or offerings, please." The prompt RSVPs allowed for streamlined logistics: children were assigned key tasks (camera photos by Jaswanth, videos by Nikhil, and mobile pics by Vivaan), while an ordered setup of chairs, a looped slideshow of family photographs, and soft instrumental music (favorites of the departed parents, Sri S.S. Sastry and Smt. Seetharatnam) were all in place by 10:30 AM.

Homage and Harmony: The Morning Session 🙏

As guests arrived, greeted warmly by Mr. Suryanarayana and his wife, Mrs. Lakshmi, they were advised to visit the adjacent Hanuman Temple before settling in. The initial hour was marked by relaxed socializing in the sprawling lawns, with elders exchanging pleasantries and the younger generation capturing the moments with selfies. A beautifully flowered photograph of Sri SS Sastry garu and Smt Seetharatnam was prominently placed near the stage, allowing guests to pay silent homage.

The formal proceedings began shortly after 11:15 AM following a tea service. Mr. Suryanarayana, holding the mic, addressed the audience, his bold voice commanding attention, first introducing the solemn yet joyful purpose of the event. He shared an inspiring anecdote from his father's life, highlighting his philosophy of maximizing travel:

“Whenever we go to attend any event out of town, my father would combine the visit with a trip to his birthplace, his grandfather’s hometown, and his old educational institutions. The message is clear: always connect your present journey with your roots."

He then connected the reunion directly to his ambitious "Memoir Blogthon"—a unique, world-record attempt honoring his father’s legacy of honesty and integrity and its ethical foundation.

The Spellbound Discourse: RJ Archana 🎤

The highlight of the formal session was the devotional discourse (pravachanam) delivered by the special guest, Mrs. Archana, the highly respected RJ of BIG FM (since 2006) and a popular 'pravachankartha.' Mrs. Archana was known to the family, having met the parents during a similar grand function in 2008—Sri Sastry was an ardent listener of her early morning broadcasts, and Smt. Seetharatnam had called her talent a god-given gift.

As Mrs. Archana settled onto a floor mat on the stage, she commanded the room. Her talk, delivered entirely in Telugu and commencing with a prayer to Ganesha, masterfully wove together mythological stories with the life and values of Sri SSSastry garu and Smt Seetharatnam. There was pin-drop silence, and even the younger children were mesmerized by the clarity and flow of her speech. The session concluded with a traditional honor accorded to Mrs. Archana by the family women, followed by a gift hamper that included Mr. Suryanarayana's author-signed book, Career Boost.

The Grand Finale: Stamp Release and Gratitude 💌

The ceremonial segment concluded with two highly personal and emotional acts:

1. The formal closing ceremony witnessed the release of the customized postal stamp sheet, the 'My Stamp' replica featuring Sri Sastry's photo (detailed in MB#97), symbolizing his incredible legacy.

2. The entire function was brought to a formal close with an informal touch with an emotional vote of thanks from Smt. Lakshmi S.S. (eldest daughter-in-law). Her words carried significant weight, as she had dedicated immense time and energy to the event's success. She was the lynchpin for the logistic arrangements, coordinating details, receiving guests alongside her husband, and reciprocating their presence with traditional Hindu honors and 'thambulam' (a token of betel leaf, nut, turmeric, and a blouse piece), signifying gratitude and respect for their attendance. She thanked everyone for making the celebration a true festival-like occasion, echoing the sentiments of every attendee.

MB#98B: Sunday, November 23, 2025: The Reunion That Defined Legacy.

Over a sumptuous lunch, relatives and well-wishers enjoyed the occasion to its brim, chatting and telling their own stories, many meeting again after decades.

Every family was presented with a thoughtful keepsake: a 2026 table calendar from Tirumala Tirupathi Devastanams and a bookmark detailing Mr. Suryanarayana's work.

The meticulous organization and the profound emotional grace of the proceedings ensured that every attendee left with a sense of fulfillment and a deep appreciation for the family's shared heritage. The testimonials and reflections shared—which will be detailed in the next blog—only deepened the enduring impression of this Centenary Reunion.

MB#98: Quiz

MB98 Question: What traditional Hindu honor, signifying gratitude, was given to guests by the family?

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• A. A garland of flowers.
• B. A personalized certificate.
• C. TTD table calendar 2026 and Thambulam
• D. A silver coin.

MB#98: Quote

"Family is not an important thing. It’s everything." – Michael J. Fox