TRIBUTE PAID TO SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

   

TRIBUTE PAID TO SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

   Prominrnt spiritual leader Sri Sathya sai Baba passed away at Puttaparthi in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh on Sunday,24th April, 2011 morning, leaving behind millions of mourning devotees in India and abroad. Eighty-five-year-old Sathya Sai Baba, one of India's most popular spiritual leaders, died  after a prolonged illness, plunging millions of his followers across the world into gloom. The man, whom many worshiped as god despite controversy, breathed his last at the Sathya Sai Super-specialty hospital, where he was admitted March 28 with cardiac problems. With his last rites set to be performed Wednesday, many commoners and celebrities are making their way to this pilgrim town for a last glimpse."Sri Sathya Sai Baba is no more with us. He left his physical body at 7.40 a.m. April 24, 2011 due to cardio-respiratory failure," said a statement from the hospital released around 10.30 a.m.

      Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condoled Baba's death, saying he was an inspiration to people of all faiths and that his death was an irreparable loss to all. "I express my sincere condolences to the millions of his followers, disciples and well wishers," he said in a message. "His teachings were rooted in the universal ideals of truth, right conduct, peace, love and non-violence."The Sai Baba Trust runs a state-of-the-art hospital, university and several other institutions to serve the poor in over 160 countries. However, he himself reportedly visited only two foreign countries - Uganda and Kenya.The godman's body will be taken from the hospital, about five kilometres from the town, to his Prashanti Nilayam ashram here Sunday evening.

   Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, who air-dashed to the town, announced that Baba's last rites will be performed Wednesday with full state honours.
He also announced a four-day state mourning.His trust appealed to devotees to have a last glimpse of Baba in an orderly manner. Even then, hundreds of pilgrims tried to rush towards the hospital, only to be stopped by a large posse of policemen. Over 6,000 policemen had already been deployed and additional forces are being rushed to the town to beef up security.

      Vice-President Hamid Ansari also expressed his "deep sorrow" at Baba's death, saying his message of service to humanity as service to god and as a means of destroying narrow-mindedness is of eternal relevance. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani who is a follower of Sai Baba said: "I offer a tearful homage to his great soul. I would like to go for the 'anthyesthi kriya' (last rites)."

     Sai Baba, whose real name was Sathyanarayana Raju, was born Nov 23, 1926 at Puttaparthi.. He was born to Eswaramma and Peddavenkama Raju Ratnakaran. He was was considered an intelligent child and quite talented in drama,music dance and writing. His spiritual journey began when he was barely 14, when he proclaimed himself to be a reincarnation of the Sai Baba of shirdi. His devotees built  a temple near Puttaparthi village, now referred to as the old mandir.
   In 1940, he claimed he is an avatar of. He became famous with his miracles but stopped performing the same after rationalists accused him of fraud. Since then Sai Baba had been focusing on social and charitable work .His devotees are spread across the world and they include the heads of states and governments, politicians, film and sports personalities, judges and army officials.
  Sai Baba inspired awe among his devotees by performing seeming miracles., such as producing 'Vibhuthi'(holy ash) and items asuch as watches, gold chains and rings out of thin air. How ever , it also attracted adverse attention from rationalists and scientists who saw it all as some sleight of hand.
  The Baba stopped performing the mirecles' and turned his attention to philanthropic and public service activities in a big way. The Sathya Sai central Trust, set up in 1972 to run the ashram, exccnted a major water supply project for Anantapur district. The Sathya Sai Institutions including the Institute of Higher Medical Service and the Institute of Learning have turned models for quality healthcare and provision of education free of cost to meritorious students.
   The central Trust has been equally focused on providing free education, and the Sathya Sai University treats merit as the sole criterion for admission.  The vice president, the Loksabha speaker, the Prime minister, the Leader of the opposition and the Congress president were among those who condoled the death of Sathya Sai Baba at Puttaparthi in Andra pradesh on Sunday morning. In his message Vice president Hamid Ansari said the Baba's messge of love should be the guiding light in this trying hour. The Prime Minister said he was a spiritual leader who inspired millions to lead a moral and meaning ful life even as they followed the religion of their choice" Sri Sathya Sai Baba, as a preacher of the highest human values, was an iconic figure for over five decades. Dr singh said. Congress president Sonia Gandhi said the news greatly pained her. He was a spiritual person in whom lakhs of people had faith in his life time, he inspired the people of this country and those abroad towards spiritualism and religion" she said in her condolence message.
  Lok sabha speaker Meira kumar said" I am pained to know about the sad demise of Sathya Sai Baba' Baba's inspirational presence and his eternal message of love and compassion have enlightened the people across the world" she said in her message.
  West Bengal Governor M.K Narayanan expressed his deep and heart felt condolences at the death of 
Sai Baba. thousands of grief-stricken devotees thronged Prasanthi Nilayam for the second day on Monday,25th April,2011 as the body of Sri Sathya Sai Baba lay in the sprawling said kulwant hall. According to one estimate, over two lakh devotees had darshan of the mortal remains of the Sai Baba till Monday evening. Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, Play back singer P. Susheela, Veteran actress Anjali, who have been long stnding visitors to Prashanti Nilayam, were among the mourners. Sachin whi sat on the floor close to the coffin was in tears after trying hard to control his emotions.Ms Susheela wept uncontrollably  and was consoled by major industries minister J Geeth Reddy. Ms Anjali Devi too broke down.
   Union Minister Vilasro deshmukh and Praful Patel, former Cricketer Sunil Gavaskar actor Arjun and Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy also paid their last respects. thousands of grieving devotees descended on Putta parthi choking every street in the small town. There was an out pouring of charity with volunteers offering water and packets of Lemon rice. the global follwing of the spiritual leader was visible with the presence of a considerable number of foreign devotees.
 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and  UPA chair person Sonia Gandhi led thousands of mourners, who came from different parts, of the country,in paying their last respects to Sathya Sai Baba on Tuesday evening.
   Dr Singh and Ms Gandhi sat in silence with folded hands near the body while bhajans rendered by devotees added to the sombre mood in the hall. After spending about 25 minutes. Cricketer VV.S Laxman and his wife too paid homage, Senior Bharatiya Janatha party leader L.K Advani  arrived on Wednesday morning and attended the funeral. A large crowd that thronged thin tiny town during the past three days for last darshan.

                                                                                         Prof. John Kurakar