Thursday, April 7, 2011
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.
Anna Hazare: One man against corruption
Anna Hazare is one of India's well-acclaimed social activists. A former  soldier in the Indian army, Anna is well known and respected for  upgrading the ecology and economy of the village of Ralegan Siddhi which  is located in the drought prone Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra  state. The erstwhile barren village has  metamorphosed into a unique  model of rural development due to its effective water conservation  methods, which made the villagers self-sufficient. Earlier, the same  village witnessed alcoholism, utter poverty and migration to urban  slums. Inspired by Hazare’s unique approach of salvaging a hopeless  village, the state government has implemented the `Model Village’ scheme  as part of its official strategy. Hazare is now synonymous with rural  development in India.
This man has single handedly started a fight against corruptions at high levels in India. He has started a fast unto death in New Delhi.This fast has now entered the third day & a large number of people from various walks of life  continued to extend support to the crusader for a stronger  anti-corruption law. 
 Seventy-two-year-old Hazare’s protest has led to the resignation of  Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar from the Group of Ministers on  corruption after the Gandhian took potshots at him. 
The activist is demanding enactment of Jan Lokpal Bill as the legislation proposed by the government was not adequate and lacked teeth. He has maintained that a joint committee, comprising representatives of the government and civil society, should be set up to firm up the bill.
Let us all support this noble cause & extend our support to this movement.
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.
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