Saturday, 21 December 2013 00:00
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Thirty-one months after the death of Sathya Sai Baba, the Department of Posts in India has issued a commemorative stamp. The 5 paisa stamp and the First Day Cover were released on his 87th birthday.
The stamp and the cover are having an unprecedented demand not only in India but also worldwide due to his popularity with many thousands of devotees. 0.71 million stamps have been issued.
The brochure released by the Indian Postal Department outlines Sathya Sai Baba’s life story. Also known as Sathyanarayana Raju, he was born on 23 November 1926 in the remote hamlet of Puttaparthi, now a part of Andhra Pradesh.
In school, young Sathya was exceptionally brilliant, automatically raising high expectations of a great career. However, on 20 October 1940 he dropped out of school with a goal to serve the poor.
Sathya Sai Baba’s philosophy can be summarised in one word ‘Prema’ which means Divine Love. He believed that every single human being can obtain the Divine Power and capability by shedding ‘swaarthaam’ or selfishness and ‘‘swaprayojana’ or self-interest.
Keeping up to his beliefs, Sathya Sai Baba set up a tertiary-care hospital in Puttaparthi in November 1991. Over a period of 22 years, the hospital has added several specialities. It treats every single patient absolutely free. Another such hospital was set up in Bangalore in2001.
Sathya Sai Baba is also known for execution of six drinking water projects during the period 1995 to 2004, which were highly beneficial for the masses.
His contribution to the field of education is notable. He set up Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning in Puttaparthi in 1981 where the teachings are a synthesis of education and the spiritual heritage of the ancient land. The education offered here is completely free and the spirit of service to the society is instilled in the students through various programs like Grama Seva.
Sathya Sai Baba kept up the good work till his death of 24 April 2011.
