SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

PHILANTHROPIST & TRANSFORMER

DR. P. K. VASUDEVA

Sathya Sai Baba’s sad demise at Puttaparthi will leave millions of his followers orphaned. Revered as a ‘living God’ by his devotees, the 85-year-old Sai Baba was regarded as an avatar of the Shirdi Sai Baba. His devotees came from across the world and spanned all classes, castes, creeds and religions. He spoke of the unity of all religions.

Significantly, Sai Baba was known for his ‘miracles’. Indeed, his greatest ‘miracle’ was the transformation of people’s minds who came in contact with him or otherwise at the national and international levels.

History is replete with examples of ‘living God’ nee avatars who have been criticised and even crucified and Sai Baba is no exception. In fact, Baba generated a lot of controversy and contentious opinions among those who did not know him.

This apart, however, it is the enormous philanthropic work that Sai Baba was engaged in, for which he will be remembered by generations to come. Not only had Baba set up scores of hospitals and clinics which provided medical treatment of the highest quality but more important, the poor could access this treatment free of cost.

This is not all. Sai Baba also established educational institutions of higher learning and universities, some of the finest in the country. Among the various schemes that the Baba’s Trust undertook was the drinking water project in Chennai to slake the thirst of its residents as also several semi-arid districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Notwithstanding, the various controversies that dodged him and his work, all these pale into insignificance when one considers that Sai Baba’s charisma attracted both the elite and the down-trodden whereby he devoted most of his energies and wealth for serving the civil society globally.

How will Sathya Sai Baba be remembered? Recall, Sai Baba himself is reported to have said that he performed miracles merely to capture the attention of people, like a mother attracts her child. Presidents, Prime Ministers, Governors, and Chief Ministers of many States along-with leaders from across the world, eminent scientists and sports-persons were among his ardent devotees.

But unlike many other Godmen, Sai Baba used every ounce of his spiritual energies and influence for the betterment of people and transformation of their minds and not for self-aggrandisement. Arguably, whether the humanitarian work he set in motion will survive his death will be keenly watched by everyone.  

Surprisingly, questions have been raised about the reliability of the Trustees integrity and efficiency for maintaining standards. Despite the presence of highly motivated and honest personalities like former Chief Justice of India Justice PN Bhagavati, well-known chartered accountant Indulal Shah, ex- Central Vigilance Commissioner SV Giri and Sai Baba’s nephew RJ Ratnakar on the Trust, on whose shoulders lies a heavy responsibility for the upkeep of Baba’s ideals.

True, as is expected, the imputations have been vehemently denied. Whether the denial is for real or for the record, it is hard to tell just yet. But, in the first resolution passed by the five Trust members after Sai Baba’s death, all  avowed to “offer themselves in all humility and a sense of total unity” to ensure that the Trust founded by Baba “continues to make the difficult achievable and the impossible a reality, exactly as it happened when he guided the Trust earlier”.

Further, at this critical juncture, the trustees should realise that any complacency on their part or transgression from the lofty ideals of conduct expected of them will not only dilute the standards maintained by Baba globally but also shake the faith of the millions of his devotees round the world. All who put their faith unquestioningly in the immutability of the values the ‘living God’ expounded for well over seven decades.

In sum, let us hope that the philanthropic tasks undertaken by Sai Baba will not only be continued but would also be expanded further for the welfare of society and well-being of everyone. Needless to say, Puttaparthi will continue to maintain high standards of living and the Vedas will continue to be recited both in the morning and evening for cleansing the minds of pilgrims and the devout who will continue to throng Sai Baba’s abode. Undoubtedly, peace will rule Puttaparthi as Sai Baba’s persona looms larger than life and holds sway. ----- INFA