Below is a Letter written by the Son-In-Law of Prof.Anil Kumar to the TV 9
Channel which has been Telecasting Nonsense about Bhagawan and the Sathya Sai
Central Trust. Requesting to Please pass on this letter to as many people as
possible.
Dear TV9,
Your intention may be to cover the happenings in Puttaparthy. In the
interests of journalism and public service we appreciate your right to do so.
However in so doing may we request that you be sensitive to the feelings of
millions of devotees of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the avatar of the age.
You may not realize it but you are inadvertently deeply hurting the sentiments
and feelings of millions of devotees of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba through
your channel. We request you to stop defaming Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
I have been associated with Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba since the age of 14.
I am now close to my 51 birthday that falls on July 7. I can say this from my
long association with Bhagawan Baba that HE IS ABOVE BOARD IN EVERYTHING. HIS
ENTIRE LIFE HAS BEEN LIVED ONLY FOR THE WELFARE OF THE WORLD. On what basis do
i say this:
Brother of Man and Fatherhood of God:
1) He taught me that the entire world is one family and that all are my
brothers and sisters. My brother and i used to visit him often in the middle
to late 80s and he conferred a lot of attention on us. On one occasion my
brother could not accompany me so i went alone. He very graciously called me
in for an interview along with othyer devotees. He asked me where my brother
was. I said that he had to remain in Madras ( as Chennai was know in those
days) unable to come due to some urgent matter. He nodded His head and after
conversing with other devotees He again asked me the same question. I again
gave the same answer. After some more conversation with devtoees He asked me
the same question about my brother. I gave the same answer in a slow and
deliberate voice and with a hint of exasperation as i was wondering why He was
unable to grasp and remember my answer. He then asked me who the person
sitting next to me in the darshan line was. I answered that i did not know.
When i said this, all of a sudden He put on a long of disgust and said "Narrow
mind! Don't you know that the person who sat next to you is also your brother?"
He went on to add - "All are brothers and sisters". Through this lesson that
was dramatised for my benefit He drove home the message of the "Brotherhood of
man and fatherhood of God" that has remained with me for my entire life. I
realized once and for all that not just the biological brother who i am
privileged to have but all men are my brothers and all women are my sisters.
This is also the basis of all the service done by the Sri Sathya Sai
organizations worldwide!!
Do, Be and Tell:
2) I was a member of the Seva Dal in both Chennai and Banagalore. This gave me
many opportunities to be associated with the service initiatives of the
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations in these cities. It brought me in
close contact with fellow Seva Dal volunteers. The love and affection that i
experienced as we all collectively went about serving the poor and needy are my
greatest treasures. Bhagawan would often come and spend some of His precious
time with us and we would all bask in that Divine atmosphere. His message of
"Love all, Serve all" as well as "Help ever, Hurt never" was always put into
practice amongst the volunteers as well as experienced by the recipients. I
was also privileged to have exemplary leaders. Leadership in the Sai Seva
Organizations has always been by personal example. This is very much in line
with what Bhagawan has Himself exemplified. Bhagawan's leadership is one of
"Do, Be and Tell". That is why He did not merely pay lip service to providing
free education, pure drininking water and free health care - even at a tertiary
level. He said that this is what the society should do and before that He
Himself did it.
Unity of Religions:
3) He has a following among the Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddists, Jews,
Muslims and other faiths as well. Prashanthi Nilayam is a mini world with
people who hail from many countries of the world. In fact it is good to recall
what Bhagawan Baba has said "There is only one religion, the religion of Love".
He wishes that a Christian be a better Christian, that a Hindu be a better
Hindu and that a Muslim be a better Muslim and so on. There is no conversion
to any new religion.
In fact for a long time the official emblem of the Sri Sathya Sai Organization
has been the "Sarva Dharma Symbol" comprising the - Om ( Sanathana Dharma),
Cross ( Christianity), Wheel ( Buddhism), Star and Crescent (Islam) and Fire
(Zorastrianism). Due to space constraints it becomes difficult to represent
ALL the religions of the world on such an emblem and hence later the emblem was
changed to represent that which is at the core of all the world
religions/faiths/paths, namely:
- Sathya ( Truth )
- Dharma ( Righteousness )
- Shanthi ( Peace )
- Prema ( Love)
- Ahimsa ( Non-violence )
Money:
Apparently this topic is dear to some folks...It is more a reflection of the
love / attachment for these things in present day society all over the
world...Anyway...
In case someone asks you about this aspect here is some information that may
come handy... All the money that was ever contributed by devotees / followers
to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba has always been used by Him for the welfare of
the poor and needy. This is evident in the University, Schools, General and
Super-Speciality hospitals, Mammoth drinking water projects, Village uplift
programs and many many other humanitarians tasks carried out by Him. The
education, health services or water and other uplift programs are all offered
FREE of cost to the recipients with no strings attached. They are not expected
to become followers of Sathya Sai Baba. In fact there was no fine print in any
services rendered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, the
former President of India and eminent technocrat, has written an article
marvelling at these lofty projects. The money and precious metals at His
residence were also the devoted offerings of His devotees which will be
utilized for the many ongoing humanitarian projects just as offerings on
previous occasions were also used to realize the above mentioned projects. If
anyone sees wrong in the presence of money at His residence it only means what
they see reflects the color of their eye glasses. "As is the vision so is
creation". In telugu Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba said" Etti drishti atti
shristi". So when focusing on the money / precious metals in His residence
please do not overlook that Bhagawan Baba has always used them for the welfare
of humanity as is evident in His humanitarian projects mentioned above. During
His last days in the physical form He was hospitalized and hence these items
may have accummulated at His residence as all the Trust members were focused on
His health. The trust has clearly indicated that these are being deposited in
the bank for use in financing the humanitarian projects of Bhagawan Baba.
Also the Sathya Sai Organization NEVER solicits money from ANYONE. There is no
HUNDI at any Sai event or gathering. Those who wish to contribute do so out of
their Love for Bhagawan Baba and His public service efforts. No one is asked
or pressured to do so. I know. I have been a member of the Sai organization
for over 30 years and NOT ONCE was i ever asked or expected to contribute or
raise any money!!!!! NEVER!!!!!!
Worldwide Humanitarian Efforts of Sri Sathya Sai Organizations:
You must realize that Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's following is there is over
180 countries in the world. Everywhere these organizations are involved in
humanitarian efforts such as serving the homeless, the senior citizens in
nursing homes and assisted living centers, tutorng the children from needy
families, helping during natural disasters and in many other ways. Bhagawan Sri
Sathya Sai Baba was a true cittizen and patriot. Only once did He travel
overseas to East Africa back in 1968 which was not a materially advanced
society. All He did was for the betterment of the people of world ( via His
worldwide Organization) starting with the people of India, the land of His
birth. Instead of defaming Him and His Organization it would be better if you
focus on highlighting the Universal message and Life of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai
Baba and bring glory to India and Andhra Pradesh ( the state of His Birth) and
peace and harmony throughout the world. We must be proud of this great Son of
Mother India.
In Closing:
Please do not accumulate BAD KARMA by inadvertently writing / propagating wrong
things that are untrue; that hurt the sentiments and feelings of Bhagawan's
followers. I live with my family in the USA and many telugu speaking Sai
devotees, including us have subscribed to TV9 channel so that we can stay
connected to our telugu roots. Unfortunately it has become a source of grief
seeing your insensitve and untruthfull coverage of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai
Baba. This is no service to the community. It is infact a DIS-SERVICE
however unintentioanlly it may be done.
It is not too late. You can rectify matters by issuing an open apology to all
Sai deveotees through a public announcement on your channel. That would be
much appreciated.
Best Regards,
Shyam Kanagala
2504 Cima Hill Drive,
Plano, Texas - 75025
USA.
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