| April 24 2011: IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ISSUED ON APRIL 24, 2011 AT 10:09 A.M. The following is the bulletin released by the Director, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram: "Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is no more with us physically. He left his earthly body on April 24, 2011 at 7.40 a.m. due to cardio-respiratory failure. Bhagwan 's body will lie in State at Sai Kulwant Hall for two days -- Monday and Tuesday. Arrangements will be made for darshan after 6 p.m. today at Sai Kulwant Hall. We appeal to all not to rush to the hospital but to remain calm and have darshan in an orderly manner".Dr. A. N. Safaya Director, SSSIHMS-PG. |
"God, that is to say our Dear Lord Sai, has made us convey to you what we earnestly prayed we would never have to do. But God's will always prevails. If He has decided to bring the curatain down on this incarnation, so it has to be. However, He cannot go away from our Hearts, where He has to be forever. "- |
| "Om Sairam dearest Sai Family,With a heavy heart, and in complete dismay, I want to share this most miserable news of Kali Yuga about the sudden departure of Lord Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Messiah of love who drenched every one of us with His unsullied Love. He left His body at 7:38 am. 24 th April 2011.. I cannot believe what I am typing and don't know what to type.., I cannot believe what happened but the news is definitely shocking. Pulling the curtains down for the 24 days, Little Sathya Narayana Raju of yesteryears, Sri Sathya Sai Baba of today's, DIVINE DRAMA, our Swami decided to leave us all, inspite of all the prayers, all the yagnas, all the rituals by His beloved children all over the world....continue reading |
SWAMI TO BE BURIED IN SAI KULWANTH HALL ON WEDNESDAY 27TH APRIL 2011 |
| SWAMI'S SAMADHI ARRANGEMENTS: "Sai Kulwanth Hall, the venue for all the "historic" events in Parthi, will also be His Samadhi temple (tomb) in future.. Swami's divine body will be brought to the ashram around 4pm from the Super Speciality Hospital..there are already arrangements being made in the Sai Kulwanth hall. Swami's Samadhi would be on the dais from where He used to watch us all while we sing His glory. At present there are white curtains around the stage and the recently erected elevated wooden dais, is now completely removed. Any moment, they will start digging the dais. Meanwhile, the final darshan of Swami's BODY would start from 6pm, 24th April and the darshan will continue on monday, tuesday as well. in the morning of wednesday, the burial will be performed...continue reading |
Sunday, April 24, 2011
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA NO MORE :MILLIONS MOURN AROUND THE WORLD
Sri Sathya Sai Baba passes away, to be buried on Wednesday
Updated on Sunday, April 24, 2011, 14:30Zeenews Bureau
Updated on Sunday, April 24, 2011, 14:30
Courtesy:http://www.zeenews.com/news701999.html
Puttaparthi: After battling with prolonged illness, 85-year-old spiritual guru Sri Sathya Sai Baba passed away on Sunday in this town in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district, sending millions of his followers across the world into mourning.
Sai Baba died of cardiac and respiratory failure, a health bulletin issued by the hospital said. His condition had deteriorated further early this morning and his organs too had stopped responding to treatment, doctors said.
“Sathya Sai Baba is no more with us physically. He left his body at 7.40 am due to cardiac and respiratory failure,” said the statement issued by the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences where Sai Baba was undergoing treatment.
The bulletin said Baba's body will lie in state at Sai Kulwant Hall here for two days – on Monday and Tuesday. Arrangements will be made for darshan after 6.00 pm today, it added.
"We appeal to all not to rush to the hospital, but to remain calm and have Darshan in an orderly manner," the bulletin said.
Baba will be buried at the Sai Kulwant Hall in Prashanti Nilayam on Wednesday in line with the practice adopted for spiritual leaders in India, contrary to the Hindu custom of cremating bodies.
State Major Industries Minister J Geetha Reddy said the members of Baba's family and the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust have decided that his burial will take place on Wednesday morning. The exact time will be announced later.
Security was also tightened in Puttaparthi before the news was passed on to the media. More than 6,000 policemen have been deployed in the town.
The 86-year-old Sai Baba was hospitalised on March 28 following problems related to heart and respiration.
For the first time since Sai Baba was admitted to the hospital, the doctors did not issue a morning bulletin today, heightening anxiety in this pilgrim town.
In the Saturday evening bulletin, the doctors had termed Baba's condition as very critical.
Though prohibitory orders have been in force in Puttaparthi for the last several days, lakhs of devotees have congregated in the town, most of them at the 'Prashanti Nilayam', the spiritual resort of the leader, 6 kms from the hospital.
It was at Prashanti Nilayam that Baba, whose followers range from top politicians to industrialists, has been giving darshan and blessing his devotees for over four decades.
Pope on TV comforts girl in quake trauma
Sunday, April 24, 2011
AP
Vatican City — Pope Benedict XVI consoled a Japanese girl, 7, reassured a mother about her ailing son's soul and advised a Muslim woman that dialogue was the way to peace in Cote d'Ivoire.
 |
| Dial a pope: Elena, 7, asks Pope Benedict XVI a question about Japan's March 11 disaster during an Italian TV show aired Friday. KYODO PHOTO |
In a push to engage the world online, the pontiff fielded their questions during an unusual Good Friday appearance on Italian TV. It was hardly a casual or spontaneous chat: Seven questions were selected from thousands that poured in via RAI television's website, and Benedict recorded his answers last week.
He seemed a bit stiff, sitting all alone in a big white chair behind his desk inside the Apostolic Palace as an unseen interviewer read out the letters to him.
But the teacher and pastor in Benedict, 84, came through as he fielded the questions, which all dealt with suffering and Jesus' death, which Christians recall on Good Friday, and his resurrection, feted on Easter Sunday.
The first question came from Elena, 7, who asked why she felt so afraid after Japan's earthquake shook her house and killed so many children.
"Why do children have to be so sad?" the girl asked. "I'm asking the pope, who speaks with God, to explain it to me."
Speaking simply as if Elena were right there, Benedict responded that he too wondered why so many innocent people suffer, but that she should take heart in knowing that Jesus had suffered too.
"You can be sure that in the world, in the universe, there are many people who are with you, thinking of you, doing what they can for you to help you," Benedict said.
Courtesy:Japantimes
Senior IPS officer Sanjay Bhatt says Gujarat CM Narendra Modi involved in Godhra case
23/04/2011
'Narendra Modi involved in Godhra'
Senior IPS officer Sanjay Bhatt says Gujarat CM Narendra Modi involved in Godhra case
Ahmedabad: Senior Gujarat police officer Sanjiv Bhatt has blamed Chief Minister Narendra Modi for the 2002 "communal carnage", saying he wanted Muslims to be taught "a lesson" for the train burning in Godhra that left 59 Hindus dead.
In a scathing attack on Modi, Bhatt also said in an affidavit to the Supreme Court that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the apex court seemed uninterested in unravelling the larger conspiracy behind the 2002 violence that swept Gujarat.
"This time the situation warranted that the Muslims be taught a lesson to ensure that such incidents do not recur ever again," Bhatt quoted the chief minister as saying at a meeting held on the evening of Feb 27, 2002 as news of the Godhra incident spread.
"The chief minister expressed the view that the emotions were running very high among the Hindus and it was imperative that they be allowed to vent out their anger," said the affidavit, made available to the media Friday.
Modi reportedly made these remarks when he was told that bringing bodies of the Godhra victims -- mostly Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists -- to Ahmedabad would only inflame passions. The VHP members were retunring from Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.
Bhatt, now principal of the State Reserve Police Centre in Junagarh, said following Modi's explicit directions, the police became complacent while dealing with rampaging mobs. The riots lasted weeks and left at least 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, dead.
"The effects of these directions given by the chief minister were widely manifest in the half hearted approach and the evident lack of determination on the part of the police while dealing with the widespread incidents of orchestrated violence (from Feb 28, 2002)."
Who after Sai? Speculation over succession plan
Updated on Saturday, April 23, 2011, 20:53
Tags: Satya Sai Baba, speculation, succession plan
Puttaparthi (AP): As uncertainity looms over the health of spiritual leader Satya Sai Baba, there is speculation about the possiblity of a succession war breaking out among the members of the Satya Sai Central Trust which manages several welfare activities across the country.
The Satya Sai Trust is always known for service activity and has undertaken massive water supply project in drought-prone Anantapur and other districts of Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Tamil Nadu besides running major super speciality hospitals in Puttaparthi and Bangalore
The trust also runs educational institutions in different parts of the country.
The Sathya Sai Central Trust runs the university complex, a speciality hospital, a world religious museum Chaitanya Jyoti, a planetarium, a railway station, a hill-view stadium, a music college, an administrative building, an airport, an indoor sports stadium and sport complex in Puttaparthi.
The Sathya Sai Central Trust runs the university complex, a speciality hospital, a world religious museum Chaitanya Jyoti, a planetarium, a railway station, a hill-view stadium, a music college, an administrative building, an airport, an indoor sports stadium and sport complex in Puttaparthi.
Who after Sai Baba will manage the Trust's activities and what will happen to the social work? Will they continue or stop? These questions are doing the rounds among the followers of the spiritual leader.
Raghuram Chowdhary, an agriculturist in Anantapur town wanted to know what will happen to the good work undertaken by Sai Baba and whether they will continue.
"I am not his devotee but what I feel is whatever work the Baba has done for the public is exemplary. Making available potable water in drought-prone villages of Anantapur district, setting up of medical facilities and educational institutions defintely deserve appreciation," Chowdhary said adding "Baba and his work are defintely good but what about the trust members?".
Related Stories
PTI
CCourtesy:zeenews
Sanjiv Bhatt was not present in meeting with Modi: Gujarat Ex-DGP
Updated on Sunday, April 24, 2011, 00:31
Tags: Gujarat riots, K Chakrabarthi, Sanjiv Bhatt
Ahmedabad/New Delhi: Gujarat's top police officer at the time of post-Godhra riots on Saturday contradicted IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, who has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court implicating Narendra Modi in the communal clashes, claiming he was not present in the meeting with the Chief Minister held on February 27, 2002.
Bhatt had created a flutter in his affidavit alleging that at the meeting Modi had instructed officers to allow Hindus to "vent out their anger" during the clashes and wanted Muslims to be "taught a lesson".
"He (Sanjiv Bhatt) was not present in that particular meeting held with the Chief Minister and other high-ranking officials. I have told this to the Special Investigation Team (probing the riots) during my deposition," K Chakrabarthi, then Director General of Police, said.
Bhatt had created a flutter in his affidavit alleging that at the meeting Modi had instructed officers to allow Hindus to "vent out their anger" during the clashes and wanted Muslims to be "taught a lesson".
"He (Sanjiv Bhatt) was not present in that particular meeting held with the Chief Minister and other high-ranking officials. I have told this to the Special Investigation Team (probing the riots) during my deposition," K Chakrabarthi, then Director General of Police, said.
n Delhi , Congress stepped up attack against Modi saying victims will not get justice as long as he is the Chief Minister of Gujarat .
"As long as Narendra Modi is Chief Minister, the victims cannot get justice there," party general secretary Digvijay Singh told reporters.
The CPI(M) demanded immediate investigation of Modi's role in the 2002 post-Godhra riots and his prosecution following accusations by a senior state police officer.
Noting that the affidavit filed by Bhatt had alleged that Modi had "instructed senior police officials in a meeting not to act to protect Muslims from violence", the party said the statement "confirms the culpability of the Chief Minister in the pogroms".
"As long as Narendra Modi is Chief Minister, the victims cannot get justice there," party general secretary Digvijay Singh told reporters.
The CPI(M) demanded immediate investigation of Modi's role in the 2002 post-Godhra riots and his prosecution following accusations by a senior state police officer.
Noting that the affidavit filed by Bhatt had alleged that Modi had "instructed senior police officials in a meeting not to act to protect Muslims from violence", the party said the statement "confirms the culpability of the Chief Minister in the pogroms".
Predictably, the BJP came to Modi's defence. "From what I know of Narendra Modi personally I cannot even imagine (that he would have supported post-Godhra rioters. The court will itself decide on the PIL or affidavit that this person has filed," former BJP president Rajnath Singh said.
Bhatt was posted in the Intelligence Department when
In his affidavit to the apex court, Bhatt says that he attended a meeting on February 27, 2002 - after the Godhra train burning incident earlier that day - during which Modi asked police officers to be "indifferent" to rioters and to the calls for help from areas under attack.
Courtesy:zeenews
SRI SATHYA SAI BABA'S HEALTH BECOMES WORSEN
OFFICIAL STATEMENT ABOUT SWAMI'S HEALTH
ISSUED ON APRIL 22, 2011 AT 5:00 P.M.
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba continues in the same clinical condition as He was in the morning. There is no sign of change in His health condition. He continues to be in the same critical state of health.
He is still supported by ventilator and is on CRRT system of dialysis.
His blood pressure and heart rate have been stable for the last 12 hours and are supported by necessary drugs.
The panel of doctors treating Him is keeping a close watch on His health.
Signed by
Dr. A. N. Safaya
Director, SSSIHMS-PG.
(Official health reports on April 23,24 will be posted soon as they are published.Please keep a constant touch with the following links:AmityIndia)
Why I support France's burqa ban
Nandini Krishnan | 2011-04-21 10:52:52
Sarkozy hasn't exactly shied away from controversy since he became French President.
First, he spent a whole lot of campaign money on making himself pretty with expensive makeup - perhaps one of the key reasons he feels people shouldn't hide their faces.
Then, he brought his girlfriend along on a state visit toIndia
And then - oh, the Muslim-hating Crusader! - he called for a ban on the burqa, and said it went against the rights of women by ''imprisoning them''. What's more, he actually got it enacted.
By saying veils ''do not pose a problem in a religious sense, but threaten the dignity of women'', Sarkozy has the unique distinction of leaving both right-wingers and left-wingers in a muddle.
All those who thought he was being politically correct, and hiding the real reason behind the ban on the veil in public places - that a terrorist may be carrying a bunch of explosives under it - had to admit he was more of a feminist than an Islamophobe when he instituted a fine of 150 euros or lessons in French citizenship for women who defied the ban, and of 30,000 euros and a year's imprisonment for anyone who forced a woman to wear the chador, niqab or burqa (to be doubled if the victim is a minor).
Now, no one can deny the burqa has its uses - it helped Priyanka Chopra get to an event on time, by boarding a suburban train without being mobbed by her fans, and it helped Himesh Reshammiya escape the wrath of music-lovers.
Among other things, it could be a useful mask for people who intend to bomb targets, whatever their religion or causes may be - and France has some great architecture - and it helps men control their carnal desires, if one takes the hard-line clerics at their word.
But then, what does it do for the women? Does it really imprison them, or does it bring them closer to their faith, to God, and make them feel protected?
My first encounter with prejudice against the burqa occurred inLondon
''Look at that man! How can he force them to wear those when they're buying such lovely clothes?'' she asked.
''Maybe they're not being forced,'' I pointed out.
''Who would voluntarily wear those?'' she demanded, with a shudder, ''and if they like it, why are they buying from Selfridge's instead of Tesco's?''
I found that the question was unanswerable, after I did a documentary on women who chose to wear the hijab. A well-spoken, educated woman who had grown up inBirmingham
Another woman told me she felt more spiritually aware when she was wearing the veil; it made her less vain about her looks. To others, it was an expression of their religion, as simple as wearing a cross or a caste mark.
Does the ban inFrance
One point that most angry protesters seem to forget is thatFrance
Besides, those who assume that every woman wearing the veil does so out of choice are as wrong as those who assume every woman wearing the veil is forced to. One of my interviewees, a woman who had discarded the veil in her twenties, told me she resents her relatives even now, for making her feel she was ''wanton and unclean'' for going without the hijab.
The question that arises next is, doesFrance
The day Saudi Arabia allows women to walk the streets sans burqas, the day Iran admits its female citizens have a right to do away with the headscarf, the day India allows people to kiss in public, and the day any country declares that its citizens are free to do anything they wish to out in the open, one may make a case that France's ban is unconstitutional.
But there isn't a single country in the world that doesn't place restrictions on behaviour on the streets - and I'm not talking about actions that affect other people or expose them to health risks, such as smoking. Whether we personally disagree with these rules or subscribe to them, we cannot deny that the country has a right to put them into effect.
I do believe every individual has a right to practise his or her religion, and a right to freedom of expression - as long as it doesn't go against the country's laws. And when your beliefs are in conflict with the laws of the land, you still have a choice - to leave.
First, he spent a whole lot of campaign money on making himself pretty with expensive makeup - perhaps one of the key reasons he feels people shouldn't hide their faces.
Then, he brought his girlfriend along on a state visit to
And then - oh, the Muslim-hating Crusader! - he called for a ban on the burqa, and said it went against the rights of women by ''imprisoning them''. What's more, he actually got it enacted.
By saying veils ''do not pose a problem in a religious sense, but threaten the dignity of women'', Sarkozy has the unique distinction of leaving both right-wingers and left-wingers in a muddle.
All those who thought he was being politically correct, and hiding the real reason behind the ban on the veil in public places - that a terrorist may be carrying a bunch of explosives under it - had to admit he was more of a feminist than an Islamophobe when he instituted a fine of 150 euros or lessons in French citizenship for women who defied the ban, and of 30,000 euros and a year's imprisonment for anyone who forced a woman to wear the chador, niqab or burqa (to be doubled if the victim is a minor).
Now, no one can deny the burqa has its uses - it helped Priyanka Chopra get to an event on time, by boarding a suburban train without being mobbed by her fans, and it helped Himesh Reshammiya escape the wrath of music-lovers.
Among other things, it could be a useful mask for people who intend to bomb targets, whatever their religion or causes may be - and France has some great architecture - and it helps men control their carnal desires, if one takes the hard-line clerics at their word.
But then, what does it do for the women? Does it really imprison them, or does it bring them closer to their faith, to God, and make them feel protected?
My first encounter with prejudice against the burqa occurred in
''Look at that man! How can he force them to wear those when they're buying such lovely clothes?'' she asked.
''Maybe they're not being forced,'' I pointed out.
''Who would voluntarily wear those?'' she demanded, with a shudder, ''and if they like it, why are they buying from Selfridge's instead of Tesco's?''
I found that the question was unanswerable, after I did a documentary on women who chose to wear the hijab. A well-spoken, educated woman who had grown up in
Another woman told me she felt more spiritually aware when she was wearing the veil; it made her less vain about her looks. To others, it was an expression of their religion, as simple as wearing a cross or a caste mark.
Does the ban in
One point that most angry protesters seem to forget is that
Besides, those who assume that every woman wearing the veil does so out of choice are as wrong as those who assume every woman wearing the veil is forced to. One of my interviewees, a woman who had discarded the veil in her twenties, told me she resents her relatives even now, for making her feel she was ''wanton and unclean'' for going without the hijab.
The question that arises next is, does
The day Saudi Arabia allows women to walk the streets sans burqas, the day Iran admits its female citizens have a right to do away with the headscarf, the day India allows people to kiss in public, and the day any country declares that its citizens are free to do anything they wish to out in the open, one may make a case that France's ban is unconstitutional.
But there isn't a single country in the world that doesn't place restrictions on behaviour on the streets - and I'm not talking about actions that affect other people or expose them to health risks, such as smoking. Whether we personally disagree with these rules or subscribe to them, we cannot deny that the country has a right to put them into effect.
I do believe every individual has a right to practise his or her religion, and a right to freedom of expression - as long as it doesn't go against the country's laws. And when your beliefs are in conflict with the laws of the land, you still have a choice - to leave.
Is the turban a terror threat?
Is India truly voting for change?
TN polls: Jaya's history and the DMK-Cong chemistry
Minority rule: The India-Pakistan divide
The author is a writer based in Chennai. She blogs at
http://disbursedmeditations.blogspot.com
Courtesy:Sify
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