Sai Baba had asked devotees not to mourn

May it be in Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Institutions, Alike, which is run by Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Trust, or in Sri Sathya Sai Seva Kshetra, Mangalore, founded by his devotees, the activities went on as usual, undisturbed.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Alike Trust Manager Mahendra Hegde said: “Yes, we are shocked to hear the news of Baba’s death. But then we will not mourn over what has happened, as Baba had several times insisted his devotees not to mourn his loss. We strongly believe his spirit is of utmost importance than his body and that spirit will be with us forever.”

Education hub
Alike, a small village in Bantwal taluk, which was nowhere on the map some four decades back, is now renowned as an educational hub imparting quality education. Sri Sathya Sai School at Alike which was started way back in 1963 by a group of Sai Baba devotees was taken over by Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Trust in 1978, following financial difficulties. Today, the institution with 1,500 students has emerged as one of the centres for quality education.

Baba’s devotees fondly remember his visits to Alike in 1979 and 2001, when he spent quality time with students. During his second visit, Baba, in his public speech, announced a hospital in the region. And within a year Sri Satya Sai General Hospital was built to provide free medical check up to the poor. “Baba always had a deep bond with Alike and he went on calling Sathya Sai Institutions at Alike and Muddenahalli as his two eyes,” says Alike PU College former Principal K Sanjeeva Shetty proudly.

A Sri Sathya Sai Seva Kshetra, located in Manna Gudda in Mangalore city and built 40 years ago by Baba’s devotees, is doing a commendable job in the form of social service.
According to devotee Guruprasad, the Kshetra was blessed by the Baba twice during his visit in 1973 and 1979. “We, Sai Baba devotees here, have been offering free food to the needy found on Mangalore streets every Sunday and are following it like a ritual. We are shocked to know that he is dead, but then we have offered food even today,” he said.
On January 30, 1979, Sai Baba visited Chokkadi at Sullia and laid the foundation stone for a Sai Mandir. Later, he blessed his devotees in a public programme arranged in Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Kendra in Chokkadi. Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Kendra president K N Parameshwaraiah said coconut trees in Puttaparthi and Brindavan were from Chokkadi.