THE ECONOMIC TIMES
NEW DELHI: Prohibitory orders were clamped in Andhra Pradesh's Puttaparthi town on Thursday evening as the health of the godman Sathya Sai Baba deteriorated dramatically.
Doctors at the Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences said in health bulletins that most organs have ceased responding to treatment, even as thousands of devotees from nearby towns poured into Puttaparthi. In Hyderabad, Director General of Police Aravinda Roa met Chief Minister Kiran Reddy and briefed him about the security measures put in place.
Meanwhile, members of the Sathya Sai Central Trust were closeted in a meeting to discuss the Trust's affairs in the wake of the Baba's deteriorating health. Andhra Pradesh principal secretary (finance) L V Subrahmanyam also took part in the meeting. "Low blood pressure and the non-functioning of liver have become a major cause for concern. The Baba continues to be on ventilator support," hospital director Dr A N Safaya said.
The 85-year old spiritual guru, who counted many powerful politicians and bureaucrats among his devotees, was admitted last month to the super-speciality hospital run by his trust. With Baba's condition not letting up, fears have grown of a battle for control at the mega-rich Sri Satya Sai Baba Trust , which controls a number of hospitals, universities and other institutions. The trust claims to have operations in more than 166 countries.
While there is a suggestion that the government must take over the functioning of the trust, many devotees are opposed to it, saying the activities of the trust will suffer. Former Supreme Court chief justice P.N. Bhagwati, chartered accountant Indulal Shah, former central vigilance commissioner SV Giri, WS Industries chairman V. Srinivasan and Sai Baba's nephew J Ratnakar are members of the trust.
Reports suggest that Bhagwati had recently met the Prime Minister to brief him of the activities of the trust. But in the absence of a clearly identified successor to Baba as the head of the trust, many fear that infighting will break out. The presence of one family member of the Baba will complicate matters.
Born Satyanarayana Raju in November 1926, the Baba has attracted legions of devotees around the world. He was known for materializing holy ash and small objects such as gold rings, coins and chains-a subject of much myth and controversy. While Baba's charitable work and his ability to give solace to millions brought fame and following of powerful people, Baba's career has also been daunted by allegations of sexual abuse-subject of a controversial 2004 BBC documentary titled The Secret Swamy.
Rumours about Baba's health as well as efforts to remove valuables from the Baba's ashram started circulating on Thursday as members of the trust and prominent devotees appealed to the people to not believe in rumours. As one of India's bestknown Godmen battle for life, a vast network of charitable institutions and a number of devotees are hanging on to every bit of news.
NEW DELHI: Prohibitory orders were clamped in Andhra Pradesh's Puttaparthi town on Thursday evening as the health of the godman Sathya Sai Baba deteriorated dramatically.
Doctors at the Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences said in health bulletins that most organs have ceased responding to treatment, even as thousands of devotees from nearby towns poured into Puttaparthi. In Hyderabad, Director General of Police Aravinda Roa met Chief Minister Kiran Reddy and briefed him about the security measures put in place.
Meanwhile, members of the Sathya Sai Central Trust were closeted in a meeting to discuss the Trust's affairs in the wake of the Baba's deteriorating health. Andhra Pradesh principal secretary (finance) L V Subrahmanyam also took part in the meeting. "Low blood pressure and the non-functioning of liver have become a major cause for concern. The Baba continues to be on ventilator support," hospital director Dr A N Safaya said.
The 85-year old spiritual guru, who counted many powerful politicians and bureaucrats among his devotees, was admitted last month to the super-speciality hospital run by his trust. With Baba's condition not letting up, fears have grown of a battle for control at the mega-rich Sri Satya Sai Baba Trust , which controls a number of hospitals, universities and other institutions. The trust claims to have operations in more than 166 countries.
While there is a suggestion that the government must take over the functioning of the trust, many devotees are opposed to it, saying the activities of the trust will suffer. Former Supreme Court chief justice P.N. Bhagwati, chartered accountant Indulal Shah, former central vigilance commissioner SV Giri, WS Industries chairman V. Srinivasan and Sai Baba's nephew J Ratnakar are members of the trust.
Reports suggest that Bhagwati had recently met the Prime Minister to brief him of the activities of the trust. But in the absence of a clearly identified successor to Baba as the head of the trust, many fear that infighting will break out. The presence of one family member of the Baba will complicate matters.
Born Satyanarayana Raju in November 1926, the Baba has attracted legions of devotees around the world. He was known for materializing holy ash and small objects such as gold rings, coins and chains-a subject of much myth and controversy. While Baba's charitable work and his ability to give solace to millions brought fame and following of powerful people, Baba's career has also been daunted by allegations of sexual abuse-subject of a controversial 2004 BBC documentary titled The Secret Swamy.
Rumours about Baba's health as well as efforts to remove valuables from the Baba's ashram started circulating on Thursday as members of the trust and prominent devotees appealed to the people to not believe in rumours. As one of India's bestknown Godmen battle for life, a vast network of charitable institutions and a number of devotees are hanging on to every bit of news.
