Puttaparthi: Who will Succeed Sai Baba?
Puttaparthi, Apr 25 (PTI) : With the passing away of the Sathya Sai Baba, questions have cropped up as to who will manage an estimated Rs 40,000 crore Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust which has been built through donations of millions of devotees and is core of all philanthropic activities under his name.
The question assumes significance as the 86-year-old Sai Baba, born Sathyanarayana Raju, who died on Sunday, has not named his successor to head the trust.
The trust established by the 'Godman' in 1972 runs free schools, a University, free hospitals, cultural centres and undertakes development and philanthropic works across 165 countries with money coming from donations of an estimated 30 million devotees.
The empire of the trust spreads across Puttaparthi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Kodaikanal and many countries including the United States. It accepts only cheque or cash donation through banks but details of income and expenditure are shrouded in a cloak of secrecy.
According to estimates, the value of the trust's properties, movable and immovable, could be anywhere between a conservative Rs 40,000 crore and a staggering Rs 1.5 lakh crore spread across globe all tax free, people closely associated with the trust said.
The future of this gargantuan empire now hinges on the probable successors who will carry on Sai Baba's legacy through the management of this trust.
Even if the trustees, who include eminent personalities like former Chief Justice of India P N Bhagwati, ex-Central Vigilance Commissioner S V Giri, former CII National President V Srinivasan among others, manage to name a person to chair the trust, whether devotees will accept the name or not, will remain a question-mark.
The trust, however, wants to allay fears of any such ‘vacuum’ in carrying forward works envisioned by Baba.
"Institutions like schools, university, hospitals and other organisations are run by respective Trusts. There is or will be no vacuum and we firmly believe that Baba will continue to guide the trustees. The interests of the institutions are paramount," the trust said in a statement issued recently after Sai Baba fell ill.
The most-talked-about contender to succeed Sai Baba is former IAS officer K Chakravarthi, who quit the service in 1981 and relocated to Puttaparthi on the spiritual guru's advice.
Chakravarthi, Secretary of the trust since 1994, was said to be a close confidant of Baba and also has the confidence of trustees, but on the other hand faces criticism from devotees of keeping the spiritual leader away from masses and family.
Millions mourn Sai Baba
Eighty-five-year-old Sathya Sai Baba, one of India's most popular spiritual leaders, died here on Sunday after a prolonged illness, plunging millions of his followers across the world into gloom.
The man, whom many worshipped as god despite controversy, breathed his last at the Sathya Sai Super-speciality hospital, where he was admitted on March 28 with cardiac problems. With his last rites set to be performed on 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.
"I can't believe that Swamy is no more," said Sharada Devi, a devotee, her voice choked with emotion.
Men were seen shedding tears, women sobbed...the pilgrim town had plunged into gloom. "Today is the saddest day of my life," said T. Raghav, another devotee, as tears rolled down his cheeks.
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)."
The Bollywood brigade also doled out condolence messages on micro-blogging website Twitter.
Director and producer Madhur Bhandarkar wrote: "Sad to hear about the demise of Sathya Sai Baba. He was an inspiration for many. Such an enlightened soul."
Sai Baba, whose real name was Sathyanarayana Raju, was born Nov 23, 1926 at Puttaparthi. 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.
Source:daijiworld
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