After Satya Sai Baba: Who?

Even as questions are being raised about the credibility of reports on spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba’s health, the question, ‘Who after Baba?’ is being seen as the raison d’etre for all the mystery and secrecy over Baba’s real condition.

A five-member team of Andhra Pradesh government, headed by principal secretary, health department, BV Ramesh, has been constituted to work out a smooth transfer of reins of the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Trust in the event of 85-year-old godman’s demise.

According to sources, “It is this tussle for succession that is driving the government and the trustees to keep Baba out of the public glare. The trust has huge properties at Puttaparthi in Ananthapur district, Andhra Pradesh, and in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai. It also has property in several countries, including USA, and property alone is estimated to be worth over Rs40,000 crore. The trust is running numerous schools, colleges and two super-specialty hospitals, apart from implementing drinking water schemes in several places, including Ananthapur.”

Baba’s nephew RJ Ratnakara Raju, one of the trustees, is being touted as the front runner to head the trust. But the issue is not simple, as there is now debate on whether the new head, in the event of Baba’s demise, should be chosen in a democratic manner or be one from Baba’s family.

Retired IAS officer Chakravarthi reportedly enjoys the confidence of many members, and could head the trust. Meanwhile, Puttaparthi is agog with reports of the Andhra Pradesh government trying to take over the trust, to manage the institutions of the Baba.

The five-member team of the AP government, which is camping in Puttaparthi, is in constant touch with trustees and members of Baba’s family. It has already started examining the flow of donations for the trust and whether funds are being managed properly.

Earlier, devotees heeded a prophecy that Baba would attain his heavenly abode only at the age of 96. Baba’s next reincarnation, according to that prophecy, would occur in Mandya district. Devotees see Baba’s reincarnation as the natural successor to Baba. But for that kind of succession, devotees expect to have to wait at least three decades. In the meanwhile, it is expected that the 85-year-old Baba would continue to bless his followers for at least another 11 years.

Satya Sai baba: Condition improving

A tense Puttaparthy heaved a sign of relief 10 days after Satya Sai Baba was admitted at a super speciality hospital. Doctors attending the world-renowned spiritual leader, now say that though Sai Baba's condition is critical, he's showing signs of improvement."Satya Sai Baba has shown slight improvement, he continues to be in a serious state of health, we believe that ultimately he should have the sankalpa of coming out of this," said Satya Sai Institute of Medical Sciences Director Dr Safaya.Even as people pray for Sai Baba's recovery, the devotees in Puttaparthy believe that an idol that they had immersed recently was the reason why Sai Baba is in a critical condition. A huge procession was undertaken to recover the idol and place it back in the temple.

"We believe in Sai Baba. What Puttaparthy is now its all because of Sai Baba, we are praying for him to get well," said Abdul, a resident of Puttaparthy Village.

Hopes of countless people continue to swing between despair and hope. Devotees continue to pray for the speedy recovery of the 85-year-old spiritual guru, who helped millions of people by answering their question.

SATYA SAI BABA:CONDITION STABLE

Doctors attending on spiritual leader Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Puttaparthy said that his health condition was stable and there were signs of improvement in the functioning of his kidneys.

A bulletin issued by the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences at Puttaparthy, Andhra Pradesh, this morning said Sai Baba, who was admitted to the hospital ten days ago, "is in a stable state of health as he was yesterday".

"There are signs of improvement in the functioning of his kidneys although he is still on dialysis. He continues to be on the ventilator for assisting his respiration," it said.

"The blood pressure and all other parameters are satisfactory. The panel of doctors treating him is keeping a constant watch over his health condition," the bulletin added.

The 85-year-old Sai Baba was admitted to Satya Sai Super Speciality Hospital at Puttaparthy on March 28, following pneumonia and respiratory problems.

Satya Sai Baba's condition critical.

Condition of Sri Sathya Saibaba, who was admitted to hospital following chest and lung congestion on March 28, has turned critical, doctors treating him said. According to an emergency medical bulletin issued by Sri SatyaSai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Puttaparthy, vital organs of Sai Baba were not functioning normally.

"The doctors are doing their best," said A N Safaya, director, SSSIHMS.

Doctors performed dialysis on Sai Baba today using the Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy method, he said.  They said that Sai Baba's condition took an alarming turn in the afternoon.

The latest information has sent waves of concern among the thousands of devotees who have thronged the Ashram town of Puttaparthy, specially the super specialty hospital to inquire about his condition.

Sai Baba, whose millions of devotees are spread all over the world, that include nig names from the diverse worlds of politics, business and films, rule over a massive network of socio-religious organisations with assets running in to several thousands of crores.

Sai Baba was admitted to the hospital, set up by him near his sprawling Prashanti Nilayam Ashram, on March 28 with the complaints of difficulty in breathing.

85-year-old Sathya Saibaba was admitted to the super speciality hospital at Prashantigram at Puttaparty near Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh following respiration-related problems.