SAI BABA TO VISIT DELHI EVERY YEAR

Published in The Times of India on Saturday 13 March 1999
By M P K Kutty, The Times of India News Service
 

NEW DELHI: Visiting Delhi after a gap of 17 years, the Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi has this good news for his devotees: he will now be coming to the national capital every year.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Sathya Sai International Centre and School on Lodhi Road on Friday morning, he compared Delhi to the stomach of Bharat. Diseases arise when the stomach does not function properly. "If the stomach is in good condition, the body will be healthy. If Delhi is good, the country will be good,'' he added.

The Swami, adored by millions, had a good word for Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, who also addressed the meeting for ten minutes. "I have known Mr Vajpayee for 17 years.'' He commended the 'spiritual leadership' of Mr Vajpayee "who has continued with the same party.'' He also wished the Prime Minister success in his efforts to promote good relations with neighbouring countries.

"I have not come here as Prime Minister,'' Mr Vajpayee said, recalling that he was foreign minister when the Baba first visited Delhi 17 years ago. "Today I am something different. I still need his grace.'' He commended the Baba for demonstrating through his multifarious projects and activities that service of the people constituted service to God. Union home minister L K Advani, human resource development minister Murli Manohar Joshi, former President Shanker Dayal Sharma and other prominent politicians and senior officials were present at the function.

In his more than 30-minute address, the Baba recalled the greatness of India, known for eminent men like Valmiki, Veda Vyasa, Rama and Buddha. Indian culture and tradition emphasised charity, the spirit of sacrifice, truth and non-violence.

"But what have we achieved in 50 years of freedom? Murders, hijackings, kidnappings...the human mind is polluted by kama and krodha. We are afraid to travel by road, rail or by plane. The world is full of fear. We speak of peace. But where is peace? We have only 'pieces.' There must be peace within first. And there will be peace outside when people relate to one another in love.''

"Today, there is a lot of hatred. Only the mean-minded people hate. So long as there is hatred, there will not be any peace...While we love our motherland, we should not criticise other countries.'' And he added his slogan: 'Help ever; hurt never.'

In his speech, the Baba repeatedly stressed the greatness of Indian culture and bemoaned the lack of unity which had led to foreign rule in the past. The country could achieve freedom but not unity. He was also critical of the tendency among the young and the educated to imitate other cultures. "Our culture is as vast as the Himalayas and as deep as the ocean. No other culture is as great as India's,'' he declared, amid loud applause.

Spirituality means morality. Of all the sacred rituals, there is nothing greater than adherence to truth. Is any ritual more important than feelings towards one's mother? Love your motherland. "God is in you, He is around you. There is no place where God is not,'' he said, adding: "Love is God. Live in love.''

Earlier, Kulwant Rai, president of the Delhi unit of the Sai seva organisation, said the international centre would promote the five values of truth, righteousness, peace, love and non-violence. He also gave an account of the water supply project, the super-speciality hospital and other projects set up by Sathya Sai Baba.