Tamil Nadu Election Results 2011: DMK-Congress defeat in Tamil Nadu shows corruption a major issue,says BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday said the drubbing of the DMK- Congress alliance in Tamil Nadu was one of the worst defeats and showed that corruption was a major issue. "The Congress-DMK alliance has suffered its worst defeat in Tamil Nadu. This is the big lesson. This shows that corruption is definitely an issue," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said. "Politics in India is state-specific. People are voting locally and we are trying to analyse nationally what is creating problems. The reality is that every state votes according to its priorities, issues, social combination and leadership," Javadekar told news channel NDTV, adding that in Tamil Nadu corruption, especially the 2G scam impact, was felt by the ruling party. He was referring to the fact that the DMK's A. Raja, a former central communications minister, is behind bars in the 2G spectrum scam. Its MP and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi has been name co-conspirator in the multi-million rupee scandal and could land in more trouble with the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax department questioning her over the scam. Javadekar also said the Left's rout in West Bengal and Kerala has now shown that there would now be only the Congress and BJP to fight the polls. He said there were earlier three political factions - the third front under the leadership of Left Front, a Congress-led alliance and BJP-led coalition. "But now that space has gone and now there will be only two alliances" - one led by the Congress and one by the BJP, he added. However, he refused to comment on the party's performance in Assam, where the Congress was set for an enviable hat-trick with the main opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the BJP crushed. "What happened to AGP? Did they get the Muslim votes? No, but they lost the advantage of being in alliance with the BJP. So, it was AGP, which was ruled out the alliance," he said. Referring to Bihar, where the BJP is part of the ruling alliance with the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), he said: "The BJP and JD-U have got tremendous amount of Muslim votes because per se Muslims will vote on performance and they are ready to vote for BJP, not only in Gujarat but even in Bihar and elsewhere." Both the AGP and BJP party unit chiefs in Assam were trounced. Javadekar also took pot shots at the Congress over the Kerala results. "Congress had a lead of 100 seats in Loka Sabaha elections is Kerala, but they are reduced to 65-70 because of the irresponsible utterances about the age of (Chief Minister V.S.) Achuthanandan by Rahul Gandhi," he said, referring to the Congress general secretary's comments on the Kerala chief minister's age. Achuthanandan is 87. "Congress has come down because there is anger against it but comparatively there is more against the Left. Only in Assam because there was division among the non-Congress voters, it has led comfortably. "So, we congratulate (Trinamool chief) Mamata (Banerjee), (AIADMK chief) Jayalalitha and those who have won, but definitely Tarun Gogoi has also to be credited for the win," he said.

Assam election results: Tarun Gogoi wins for a third time
Tarun Gogoi is set for an unprecedented third term as Chief Minister of Assam. Today, voters gave his party, the Congress, 76 of the 126 seats in Assam - five more than what the party had in the last Assembly. Anti-incumbency, says Mr Gogoi, cannot over-rule development."The secret is if you work sincerely, if you work hard for the people. they will repose faith in you...that's what has happened here." But it's also his firm handling of underground groups like the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) that has convinced Assam that its chief minister is very much a man in charge. Mr Gogoi has shown a fine instinctual understanding of how to negotiate with these groups without capitulating to their agendas. There's also the fact that the Opposition has done its best to make room for him. The two main parties- the Asam Gana Parishad (AGP) and the BJP failed to strike an alliance, splitting the vote of those who are not Congress-seekers

Kerala Election Results 2011: Close race between UDF, LDF
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The United Democratic Front ( UDF) is leading in 43 seats, while the Left Democratic Front (LDF) is ahead in 38 seats, according to the early trend for the 140-seat Kerala Assembly. According to reports, the incumbent Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan is trailing from the Malampuzha seat. Kerala recorded a turnout of over 74 percent polling. The other prominent candidates, whose fate will be decided today include, UDF's Chief Ministerial probable Oomen Chandy (Puthupally), KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala (Harippad), CPI(M) polit bureau member Kodiyeri Blakrishnan (Thalassery), Muslim League leader P K Kunhalikutty (Vengara), Kerala Congress (M) supremo K M Mani (Pala) and senior BJP leader O Rajagopal (Nemom).

Historic win for Trinamool Congress in Bengal
Assembly elections: The Trinamool Congress on Friday headed for a historic win in West Bengal, bringing down the curtain on the 34-year uninterrupted rule of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) led Left Front. The Left Front - the longest serving Communist-led government in a democratic set-up headed for a rout. West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee tendered his resignation to Government MK Narayanan at 1.15pm on Friday. He lost his seat and is only the second chief minister in Bengal's history to lose the assembly seat. Prafulla Sen, the third chief minister of Bengal, was the first to lose. As the state was poised to get its first woman chief minister in Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee after about 64 years after independence, the defeat of the Left Front spanned almost the entire geographical map of West Bengal. Its candidates were losing even in erstwhile red citadels like Burdwan, Bankura and Purulia districts and in seats where the coalition had never been defeated since coming to power in 1977. The Trinamool headed for a landslide bagging 42 of the 294 seats and leading in 144 demolishing the 34-year-old Left citadel in West Bengal in the assembly elections. Trinamool's ally Congress won 12 seats and was leading in 30. As per the trends, the Trinamool Congress could form the ministry on its own as the magic figure for government formation is 148. Left Front major, CPM has so far bagged 13 seats and was ahead in 24. LF partner, Forward Bloc won three seats and was ahead in nine, while RSP and CPI, two other constituents were leading in 6 and 3 seats respectively. Independents were leading in two and others in six. Majors Left Front figures including finance minister Ashim Dasgupta, tndustry minister Nirupam Sen, housing minister Goutam Deb and IT minister Debesh Das were trailing. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee dedicated her party's stupendous victory to 'Ma, Mati, Manush' drawing parallels with the freedom struggle and promised good governance, while saying that there would be an end to "autocracy and atrocities". "Not only in Bengal and India, people across the world were waiting for this verdict and we express our gratitude to all of them," Banerjee said. Accepting the poll verdict, a joint statement by the chief minister and Left Front chairman, Biman Bose described the debacle as 'unexpected'. They, however, said the Left would play the role of a responsible and constructive opposition in the assembly.

India can do an Abbottabad, says the man behind Agni missile series
Mumbai: “We have the technological capability to undertake an Abbottabad-style surgical attack,” a confident Defence Research and Development Organisation chief and security advisor to the Union defence minister Dr VK Saraswat told DNA on the sidelines of his special talk on innovation and technology on Wednesday, National Technology Day, at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). “As a policy, we do not believe in hot pursuit. But if the policy makers take a call, we have what it takes,” he said. When reminded that the clamour to emulate the US killing of Osama bin Laden in his hideout was on the rise, the man behind the 3,000-km-range Agni missile series said: “We are a functioning democracy with all powers vested in the government. It is ultimately they who have to take a call.” He also allayed fears of Pakistan’s nuclear armament falling into the hands of rogue elements. “The international community and India are keeping a close watch on this. There are mechanisms in place to ensure this does not happen. We also have a treaty in place between India and Pakistan to the effect that both countries will keep each other abreast of any untoward development, at and with their nuclear facility, which could have an impact on each other or the region,” he said. (READ: Is Indian Army capable of doing an Abbottabad to nab India's most wanted?) He also spoke of the impact of recent developments on research. “Our main challenge is developing technology for sustained low intensity conflicts. After the Mumbai attack, we are factoring in the presence of dense population in urban scenarios,” he said. When asked about the light combat aircraft (LCA) or the Tejas project, he said: “The order for the first batch of 40 LCAs has already been placed at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Final tests for the naval version are on. The navy is looking at procuring at least 50 of them.”

Bodies of Arunachal CM Dorjee Khandu, 4 others, taken to Tawang

Satya Sai Baba Passes away: Last sites on wednesday

Indian doctor's book an cancer wins Pulitzer prize - Dr. Siddhart Mukharjee, anewdelhi born oncologist has been awarded a Pulitzer prize for his book "The Emperor of all Maladies : A biography of Cancer"

Profile
Birthday / Age : Born in 1970 (Age as on 2011 is 41).
• Birthplace: Delhi, India.
• Recent Address: America.
• Nickname of Professor Dr. Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay: Sidd.

• Education Qualification of Professor Dr. Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay: Pulitzer Award Winner Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay completed his schooling from St. Columbus School in Delhi and admitted at Stanford College. Later joined Harvard Medical School with the help of Roads Scholarship.

• Profession Occupation of Pulitzer Award Winner Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay: Professor of Columbia University in New York, Researcher and Cancer Specialist. Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay also writes articles for ‘The New England Journal Of Medicine’, ‘The New York Times’.

• Family of Professor Dr. Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay: Pulitzer Award Winner Professor-Dr. Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay lives with his wife Sarah J and two daughters (named Riya and Lina) in America and his father (Shibeswar Mukhopadhyay) mother (Chandana Mukhopadhyay) lives at Safdarjang Enclave in Delhi, India.

• Name of the Book for which Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay won Pulitzer Award in 2011 is The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography Of Cancer.

Other Indian Personnel who had won Pulitzer Award before are Gobinda Bihari Lal (1937), Jhumpa Lahiri (2000) and Gita Anand (2003. Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay is the fourth Indian to win Pulitzer Award in 2011.

Congratulations to Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee for his work and achievement and good wishes for upcoming medical projects of Dr. (Prof) Siddhartha Mukherjee (Mukhopadhyay).

-Satya sai Baba's condition is stable
-Satya Sai Baba -

The Ratnakaram Raju Family

The Raju family of Puttaparthi was noted for its piety since the days of the renowned sage, Venkavadhootha, a saintly ancestor who was looked upon as a Guru in hundreds of villages around. Not only did the family build and endow the Gopalaswami Temple (dedicated to Lord Krishna), but Sri Ratnakaram Kondama Raju, the grandfather of Bhagawan's physical frame, dedicated a temple to Sathyabhama, consort of Lord Krishna, a deity to whom this type of homage is seldom offered in any part of India. Peasants by vocation, they were known for their musical and dramatic talent and were much involved in the propagation of the sacred scriptures through village plays and musicals. Consequently, the family was given the name ‘Bhat Raju’ (Bhat – priest).

Sri Kondama Raju was a pious soul who lived out his hundred and ten years of earthly existence in the unceasing contemplation of the Lord. His wife Srilakshmamma predeceased him by twenty years. They had two sons who were both named after Sage Venkavadhootha - Pedda Venkama Raju and Chinna Venkama Raju. Pedda Venkama Raju, the elder son, was married to Easwaramma, daughter of Sri Meesaraganda Subba Raju of Kolimigundla of Kurnool district. Pedda Venkama Raju and Easwaramma were blessed with a son and two daughters in that order, Seshama Raju, Venkamma, and Parvathamma.

Some years passed and Easwaramma longed for another son. She prayed to the village gods, performed Sathyanarayana Puja and observed a number of rigorous vows. One day, an extraordinary incident occurred that heralded the descent of the divine into her womb. Easwaramma had gone to the village well to draw water. There, she noticed a strange bluish glow that transformed itself into a luminous orb. The ball of light then glided towards her and entered her being. Shortly thereafter, to the joy of her family, Easwaramma found herself in the family way.

Divine Portents

After a while, mysterious indications of the impending incarnation occurred in Pedda Venkama's house. For example, there was the twang of the tambura! Since the brothers and the father were all interested in the village operas, there was a big tambura (a string instrument) and a maddala (drum). As the birth of the son for whom Mother Easwaramma prayed, announced itself as imminent, the house was awakened at midnight, and sometimes even later, by the tambura twanging automatically, and the maddala beating rhythmically as if an expert Hand was playing on it! One Shastri (Vedic scholar), whom Pedda Venkama Raju approached for an explanation, said that it was an auspicious occurrence: it meant the presence of a Shakthi, a beneficent Power, conferring harmony, spiritual elevation and joy.

The Advent

23rd of November, 1926, the Hindu year of Akshaya, meaning, the Never-declining, the Ever-full. It was the time of sunrise and the villagers were chanting the names of Lord Shiva, remembering that the day was still Karthika Somavara, a Monday of the Holy Month of Karthika, devoted to the puja (worship) of Shiva. That day was made even more auspicious for Shiva worship, because the ascendant star was Ardra (the star of Shiva). On this day, when these rare and propitious signs came together, the people thronged the temples of the Lord to offer special pujas and pray for His benediction.

The Mother had also just finished her Sathyanarayana Puja in accordance with her vows, for, even while she was going through the final rituals, the pangs forewarned her. When Easwaramma announced the pangs, word was sent to the mother-in-law, Lakshmamma, the pious lady of the house; but, it became known that she had gone to the house of the priest to perform the Puja of Sathya Narayana; the messenger discovered her there and urged her to return; but she was so confident of the Grace of Lord Sathyanarayana, so steadfast in her devotion, so disciplined in her religious adherence, that she refused to be hustled!

She sent word that she would bring with her the sacred offerings after the Puja and that on no account would she allow her prayers to be interrupted! She finished the entire ritual with full concentration, came home and gave her daughter-in-law the flowers and the sacred water. Easwaramma partook of the blessings of the Lord. Next moment, the Lord was born and the Sun rose above the horizon!

The Divine Child

A very significant event occurred soon after the birth of the child, which revealed the divinity of the baby. One day, it was noticed that the bed of clothes on which the baby was lying was being moved up and down in a peculiar way by something underneath. They watched with bated breath and when they looked under the bed they found a cobra underneath! The snake was playing the role of Sesha to the Seshasai! [Sesha, according to Hindu belief, is the serpent on whose bed of coil Lord Vishnu rests.

The baby was named Sathyanarayana because there seemed to be a significant relationship between the worship to that God and the realisation of the mother's cherished desire. When the Namakaranam (Naming Ceremony) was performed and the name was whispered in the ear; it seems the baby smiled, for the suggestion to give that name must have emanated unobtrusively from Itself! The embodiment and exponent of Truth could not give Himself a more appropriate name.

The little “Brahmajnani”

Little Sathya soon became the pet of the entire village of Puttaparthi and the farmers and cowherds vied with each other in fondling it and feeding it and playing with its lovely silken curls. Its charming smile attracted every one. Like a lighted lamp, Sathya moved about the house and laughter tinkled in the street when He lisped His sweet vocabulary of sounds.

The villagers soon started referring to Him as “Brahmajnani”, the knower and proponent of Brahman or Godhood. Even at a young age, Sathya was known for His extraordinary love and compassion towards creation and aversion towards harming any creature. His heart melted at human suffering. Whenever a beggar appeared at the door and raised his cry, Sathya abandoned His play and rushed in, to force His sisters to dole out grain or food. The elders in the house tried to dissuade Him saying, "Look here! You may give him food; but, mind you, you will have to starve." That did not daunt the child; He used to run inside and bring food to the hungry man at the door; and stay away from dinner or lunch, himself. Nothing and nobody could persuade Him to come to His plate, which was left untouched!

While others in the family relished non-vegetarian food, little Sathya would advise them to desist from such cruel habits. Whenever such food was cooked in the household, the boy used to run to the Karnam's (village chief) house, and partake of the food offered by Subbamma, the aged lady residing there, for they were Brahmins and vegetarians.

So distinct was His behaviour that a wag once nicknamed Him "the Brahmin child"! Yes, it was a fitting description. Little did that wag know that, while in the previous body, this child, so laughed at now, had declared at Shirdi, "This Brahmin can bring lakhs of men on the White path and take them to their destination!"

The early school days

At the age of eight, Sathya was declared fit to proceed to the Higher Elementary School at Bukkapatnam, about two and a half miles from Puttaparthi. He had to start early, after a meal of cold rice and curds or cooked ragi (maize), rice and chutney, carry the afternoon meal in a bag, and with His companions make the arduous trek daily to Bukkapatnam.

Sathyanarayana was a precocious child, learning more things than anyone could teach Him and much quicker than most; He could sing all the songs and Stotras (prayers) that were recited at the village operas. He even composed at the tender age of seven or eight, some touching songs for the cast, which were gladly accepted by them for public presentation!

The Pandhari Bhajan group

When He was about ten years of age, Sathya formed a 'Pandhari Bhajan' group in the village of Puttaparthi. The group consisted of about sixteen to eighteen boys dressed uniformly in ochre clothes, holding each a flag in the hand and wearing jingling anklets. They all danced to the tune of folk-songs and ballads, describing the yearning of pilgrims for Lord Panduranga's Darshan. He also added some Bhagavatha songs of His own. It was noticed that He added to these traditional themes, songs on a pilgrimage to a new shrine of which no one had heard, and the majesty of a new Deity of whom they had not even the faintest idea, Shirdi and Sai!

Moreover, it was observed that when an infection of cholera swept like a poisonous miasma over the area and wiped out entire families in the surrounding villages, Puttaparthi did not feel the blast of death. Wise men told one another that the Divine Atmosphere generated by the Bhajan group was responsible for saving their lives.

At Kamalapuram

Sathya had to move to Kamalapuram, a small town about 200 kilometres from Puttaparthi, with His brother Seshama Raju. His parents planned to give Sathya a college education, so that He may become an officer! And hence, they were prepared to part with their beloved son and send Him to Kamalapuram to the Board Middle School there, so that His studies could be continued.

Sathya was a quiet, well-behaved boy and the favourite of His teachers. Once, He sang the prayer song before the curtains went up on a drama in the town and those who heard His sweet voice spread the news that a 'fine musician' had come to town. Prayer songs at functions like public meetings became His monopoly thereafter.

A merchant by name Kote Subbanna who sold medicines, tonics, glassware, umbrellas, etc. came to know of Sathya’s talents and approached Him for a ditty to market his new product. He gave Him the necessary information and by evening, Sathya was ready with an attractive Telugu song, which was sung in chorus by His friends and Him. They used to march along the streets, with placards in their hands, singing Sathya’s slogan-filled jingle and evidently enjoying their task!

A word may be said about Sathya and His involvement in the theatrical activities at school. Sri Thammi Raju, the teacher in-charge, once asked Sathya, who was only twelve years old then, to produce a play in Telugu. Sathya plunged into the work very enthusiastically. The drama was a great success, not only because the hero of the play was a little boy, a role enacted by Sathya himself, but, chiefly because it had as its theme the eternal sin of man – hypocrisy. The title of the play was "Cheppinattu Chesthara?" meaning "Do we practise what we preach?"

Meanwhile, Seshama Raju was transferred to Uravakonda. He decided to take Sathya along with him with the intention of admitting Him at the Sri Karibasavaswami District Board High School there. Accordingly, Sathya accompanied His elder brother to continue His studies at Uravakonda. The town of Uravakonda would be witness to the grand and mysterious events that would mark the momentous transformation of the young child into a great spiritual master who would change the very destiny of mankind.

Mysterious Turn of events at Uravakonda

Sathya was sought after by people who had lost articles of value, for He had brought with Him to Uravakonda the reputation for intuitive perception, which revealed to Him the place where anything was! Baba says that in those days, He used to give His friends only the first and last letters of the names of the persons with whom the lost articles could be found. He left them with their own resources to recover the goods.

On March 8, 1940, the whole town was shocked to hear that a big black scorpion had stung Sathya in the twilight hours of the evening. However, Sathya slept that night without any sign of pain! Every one felt relieved, only to become anxious once again when the next evening, Sathya fell unconscious and became stiff; He would not speak and breathing appeared faint. Seshama Raju brought in a doctor, who gave an injection and left behind a mixture. Sathya was apparently unconscious throughout the night. The doctor came again in the morning and declared that the boy was out of danger!

An incident happened in the night which showed that Sathya was not 'unconscious' but, that He was actually supraconscious! Some one suggested that the local deity be propitiated, because the condition of the boy may be due to some evil spirit that possessed Him. So, volunteers hurried to the temple and offered worship, placed flowers and incense, and broke a coconut at the altar. At that very moment, Sathya, who was to all intents 'unconscious', said, "The coconut has broken into three pieces," and when the volunteers came home with the offerings, they had with them three pieces and not the usual two!

Sathya got up in a day or two and began to behave in an extraordinary way. Baba has said that He Himself initiated the process of manifestation, for He could not wait any longer, playing about as a mere boy, with 'brother' and 'sister' and 'classmates' and other secular bonds. He wanted to demonstrate that He was beyond both ‘Visha’ and ‘Vishaya', that neither the poison of the scorpion nor worldly attractions could ever affect Him.

Meanwhile, Sri Seshama Raju had informed his parents at Puttaparthi about the state of affairs at Uravakonda. He had written that Sathya was not answering anyone who spoke to Him, that it was a herculean task to make Him accept food, that He was spending the time mostly in silence but, sometimes bursting into song and poetry or reciting long Sanskrit slokas (hymns) and at times, expounding the highest Vedantic philosophy. The parents took about a week to reach the place, because of unforeseen and inexplicable difficulties.

Seshama Raju got nervous as to why the parents had not arrived. He decided to send someone to Puttaparthi to find out the reason for the delay. But, Sathya interposed and said, "You need not send for them now, they will be here in half an hour," and true to His words, they came in exactly thirty minutes later.

Divine Fortitude

The parents were beside themselves with worry at the condition of Sathya; He sang and spoke and behaved in such a queer manner. It was all so mysterious. At that time, someone gave information to the worried parents that there was an expert exorcist before whom no evil spirit dare wag its poison tail! He will cure Sathya perfectly and make Him fit to go to school, they assured.

The exorcist was a gigantic figure, terrible to behold, with blood-red eyes and untamed manners. He tried all his craft which he dared not experiment even with strong adult patients! For example, he shaved the head of the boy and, with a sharp instrument scored three ‘X’ marks on the scalp, from the top towards the forehead. Sathya sat through the pain without wilting. With the scalp injured and bleeding with those markings, the witch doctor poured on the open wound the juice of lime, garlic, and other acidic fruits.

The parents who were watching the proceedings in utter despair were surprised, for there was not even a tear, or a gasp of pain from the boy! But the exorcist was unrelenting and put the boy through even more terrifying trials until the parents could bear to see it no more. They wanted to save the boy from the jaws of that Yama (God of Death) in human form; they had seen and suffered enough. They paid him full fees and also gave some unasked gifts, and thanked him for all the 'learning' he had utilised.

When asked later as to why He chose to go through this diabolical adventure, Bhagawan remarked, "Even after seeing all that fortitude and the miracle of a little boy passing unscathed through all that terror, even now, you are not convinced that I am Baba; how then would you have reacted if I just made the announcement one fine day? I wanted to make known that I am Divine Stuff, impervious to human suffering, pain or joy."

Meanwhile, Sri Krishnamachari, a lawyer-friend from Penukonda, heard of these occurrences in the Raju household and came to the village to study the situation and offer what help he could. He had a good look and told Venkama Raju, “It is really more serious than I thought; take Him immediately to the Narasimha Temple (Lord Narasimha – the Man-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu) at Ghatikachalam; that is the last chance". On hearing these words, Sathya said, "Funny, is it not? I am already there at Ghatikachalam and you want to take Me to Myself!" The lawyer had no further inclination to cross-examine.

I am Sai Baba

On 23rd May 1940, Sathya rose from bed as usual, but after some time, He called the members of the household around Him, gave them sugar candy and flowers taken from nowhere. At this, the neighbours too rushed in. He gave them each a ball of rice cooked in milk, flowers and sugar candy concretised by a mere wave of the hand. Meanwhile, Sri Venkama Raju came and he was incensed by what he thought was a trick, hiding things somewhere and producing them by sleight of hand. He wanted the chapter to be closed before it lengthened into a tragedy.

So, arming himself with a stick, he accosted Sathya and asked, "Are you a God, a ghost or a madcap? Tell me!" Prompt came the answer, the Announcement, that had been held back so long, “I am Sai Baba."

At this, Venkama Raju was stunned into silence; the stick slid from his hands. He stood staring at Sathya trying to grasp the implications of that announcement - “I am Sai Baba." But, Sathya continued, “I belong to Apasthamba Sutra; I am of the Bharadwaja Gothra; I am Sai Baba; I have come to ward off all your troubles; keep your houses clean and pure."

The elder brother, Seshama Raju went near Him, and asked, "What do you mean by 'Sai Baba'?" He did not reply, but only said this much - "Your Venkavadhootha prayed that I be born in your family. So, I came." The father felt that Sai Baba was a Muslim spirit speaking through the boy and so, he asked, "What are we to do with you?” Prompt came the answer; "Worship Me!" "When?" "Every Thursday! Keep your minds and houses pure."

One Thursday, someone challenged Sathyanarayana and asked Him, “If you are Sai Baba show us some proof, now!" Baba replied, “Yes, I shall" and asked for some jasmine flowers. With a quick gesture, He threw them on the floor and said "Look." They saw that the flowers had formed, while falling, the Telugu letters, ‘Sai Baba’!

Divine Omnipresence

On an invitation from some townsmen in Hospet, Seshama Raju decided to take Sathya on a picnic to see if it might improve the mental health of the boy. Hospet is a few miles away from the ruins of Hampi, the capital city of the Emperors of ancient Vijayanagara Kingdom in what is now the state of Karnataka.

There, they visited the temple of Lord Virupaksha, the patron deity of the Vijayanagara royal family. While the others in the party went into the temple to offer worship at the sanctum sanctorum, Sathya stood outside admiring the height and majesty of the Gopuram (tall pyramid-shaped roof of a temple). When the priest waved the flame of camphor before the Lingam (ellipsoid structure worshipped as Lord Shiva), they saw to their utter amazement, Sathya there inside the shrine! He was standing in place of the Lingam, smiling and accepting their salutations.

Thinking that Sathya may have slipped into the shrine evading everybody's notice, Seshama Raju went outside to verify whether He was still there. Yes, indeed Sathya was there, leaning on a wall and staring at the horizon! He rushed inside the sanctum sanctorum and, yet again, he found Sathya standing there and blessing everybody.

This incident confirmed their faith in Sathya as a Divine Manifestation. They offered special Puja (worship) to Him that day. Hospet was on its toes with expectation and excitement. The story that He was seen as Virupaksha had spread to that town long before they reached it. The next day He cured a chronic tuberculosis patient by His touch and made him get up and walk a mile; He materialized a variety of articles for the devotees and the enthusiasm of the people knew no bounds. Bhajan and Namasankirtan (singing the name of God) continued far into the night.

The Mission Begins

On the 20th day of October, 1940, the day after they all returned from Hampi, Sathyanarayana started for school as usual. However, within a few minutes, He returned to the house. Standing on the outer doorstep, He cast aside the books He was carrying and called out, “I am no longer your Sathya. I am Sai". The sister-in-law came from the kitchen, only to be blinded by the splendour of the halo around Baba's head! He addressed her, “I am going; I don't belong to you; Maya (delusion) has gone; My Bhaktas (devotees) are calling Me; I have My Work; I can't stay here any longer."

When the brother hurried home on hearing all this, Baba only told him, "Give up all your efforts to 'cure' Me. I am Sai; I do not consider Myself related to you".

In spite of repeated pleas, Sathya would not step into that building again. He moved in into the garden of the Excise Inspector Sri Anjaneyulu's bungalow, and sat on a rock in the midst of the trees. People came into the garden from all directions bringing flowers, fruits, incense and camphor to worship Him. The garden resonated with the voices of hundreds singing bhajans (devotional singing) and following the lines of the first prayer that Sri Sathya Sai taught them.

“Manasa Bhajare Gurucharanam Dusthara Bhava Sagara Tharanam “

(O Mind! Meditate on the Feet of the Guru, which will take you across the wearisome sea of Samsara or worldly existence.)

A photographer came with a camera to capture a beautiful picture of the young Swami. He wanted to remove a crude stone that was right in front of Him, but Baba did not heed to the prayer. He clicked nevertheless and lo! When the photo was developed, the stone had become an image of Shirdi Sai Baba!

A few days later, Baba left Uravakonda for Puttaparthi. There, He shifted to the house of Karnam (the village headman) whose aged and devout wife Subbamma attended on Him with love and affection and welcomed all devotees into her spacious house; she spared no effort to make their stay happy and comfortable. Baba often speaks about her dedicated service, working incessantly from dawn to dusk, cooking and making other arrangements for the hordes of devotees who began to land in Puttaparthi every day. As the number of devotees swelled, a mandir (temple) was constructed in February 1947, where He began to reside and grant darshan. On 23rd November 1950, Prasanthi Nilayam (The Abode of Supreme Peace) was inaugurated, which remains till today the central venue for Bhagawan’s darshan and the festival celebrations that take place in His Divine Presence.

Sri Sathya Sai Avatar

This was the story of the Advent of the Avatar and the early years of His life and mission, a mission that would bring millions to His Lotus Feet to taste the bliss of Divine Love and thus transform their lives. In a letter He wrote to His brother Sri Seshama Raju way back in 1947, Bhagawan emphatically declared the grand purpose for which He has come.

He said:

I have a Task: To foster all mankind and ensure for all of them lives full of Ananda (Bliss).

I have a Vow: To lead all who stray away from the straight path, again into goodness and save them.

I am attached to a Work that I love: To remove the sufferings of the poor and grant them what they lack.

I have a reason to be proud, for I rescue all who worship and adore Me.

The decades that have rolled by since that epochal letter was written have been witness to the grand manner in which His vision has taken shape. The world class super-speciality hospitals that offer tertiary level medical care free of charge, schools and colleges that impart values-based education, the mammoth drinking water supply projects and the numerous other service projects undertaken by Him stand as a testimony to His selfless Love and His compassion for humanity. However, even more significant than these activities have been His tireless efforts towards spreading the message of spirituality and inculcating love and brotherhood throughout the world. Through the Sri Sathya Sai Centers and the Education in Human Values (EHV) programmes, thousands all over the world have sanctified their lives by putting into practice His precepts, and by participating in service programmes such as Narayana Seva (feeding of the poor) and free medical camps. Truly, the Sathya Sai Avatar has heralded a Golden era in the history of mankind.

-Justice Dinakaran to face impeachment :

16 corruption irregularity & charges levied - Dinakaran to reply by 9th April.

-Shriram wins indian Idol-5, Rs 50 lakhs, Car and Motorcycle.

-IIT Graduate gives new identity to the Rupee.

Bank Nationwide strike by their employees demanding higher wages and pensions entered the second day.

Indian bank strike enters second day, trading hit, Around 900,000 employees announced the two-day strike after talks with Indian Banks' Association,representing the managements of various banks, collapsed earlier this week.

India has 80 commercial banks, including 29 foreign banks and nearly 3,000 urban and rural co-operative banks.India's state-run banks remained shut on Friday as a nationwide strike by their employees demanding higher wages and pensions entered the second day, hurting volumes in the currency and bond markets.

Issue of price rise, We are sensitive to it

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said. In the Rajya Sabha,issue of price rise of essential commodities We are sensitive to it,

Intervening in the debate on the issue of price rise.we are responsible (government)... will take measures as and when necessary".While inflation measured by the Wholesale Price Index remained in the negative territory for the eighth consecutive week ended July 25 to minus 1.58 per cent, essential commodities, particularly food items like sugar and pulses have seen a sharp increase in prices in the recent weeks.

Death penalty to 2003 Mumbai blast convicts

Mohammed Hanif Sayed, his wife Fahimida and their associate Ashrat Shafique Ansari who were sentenced to death by a special court Thursday for the 2003 Mumbai twin blasts will join a list of over 300 people on death row in Indian prisons.

Special Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) court Judge M R Puranik today awarded capital punishment to all the three convicts in the 2003 Mumbai twin blast case. Pronouncing the order, Judge Puranik said --Ashraf Ansari, Sayed Mohammed Hanif Abdul Rahim and his wife Fahmida, were awarded death sentence under section-3 (2), (4) of POTA Act and 120 (b) read with 302, 307, 427 of IPC, explosive substance act, prevention of damage act and for murder and attempt to murder. He said three Lashkar-e-Toiba operatives will be hanged by neck till death for triggering blasts at various places in Mumbai in 2003 that killed 54 persons and left 244 seriously injured.

The convicts had planted a bomb in bus no 340 at Ghatkopar, that exploped at Andheri bus depot on July 28, 2003 and planted an explosive at Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazar on August 25 the same year.

Manmohan fill up several vacancies of governors.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after sworn in Friday for the second consecutive term. will be expected to fill up several vacancies of governors, whose terms come to an end in a few weeks,

Among the governors whose tenures at various Raj Bhavans are coming to end include Nawal Kishore Sharma (Gujarat), S.S. Sidhu (Goa), Balram Jhakar (Madhya Pradesh), S.S. Barnala (Tamil Nadu), Gopalkrishna Gandhi (West Bengal), D.N. Sahay (Tripura), S.F. Rodrigues (Punjab), R.L. Bhatia (Bihar) and R.S. Gavai (Kerala). “The prime minister will need to take a call soon as this is a big gubernatorial shake-up,” said a senior bureaucrat.

The Swine flu scare has hit India

The Swine flu scare has hit India. Two London-based NRI, who hails from Delhi, were admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital here with suspected H1N1 flu symptoms and have been kept under observation in the isolation ward.

He has a running nose, soar throat and cold but has no fever. He will be kept under observation for the next three days .

Gujarat is forgetting about the poor people

Gandhi said the Gujarat government has been more concerned about protecting the interests of the business community than helping the farmers and poor people.Gujarat is forgetting about the poor people.

Addressing an election rally Surat, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claims of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi that he had propelled the state on the path of development .Gujarat Government has not been sympathetic towards the farming community as no help has been extended to them.He saying his government was more concerned about the business class rather than helping the farmers.Gandhi also slammed the state government for not providing any help to the diamond workers of Surat, but the Centre had given so much money to Gujarat.

Highlighting achievements of the UPA government, Gandhi said it has done so much for the welfare of the downtrodden but wondered whether the benefits reached the poor people.

Prime minister became the target of a shoe attack

During the current election campaign Prime minister Manmohan Singh became the target of a shoe attack. when an engineering student hurled a sneaker towards him but it fell short of the dais from where he was addressing his first poll rally on sunday in Gujarat at the Tagore hall ground.

Shoe thrower identified as Hitesh Chauhan, a 21-year-old resident of Bapunagar pursuing a computer course in a local engineering college. Chauhan was sitting on the front row and took out his shoes and was about to hurl it in the direction of the Prime Minister who had just started his speech when security personnel grabbed him.

The shoe fell a few feet away from where the P M was seated. The distance between the security railing and the stage where the P M was seated on the dais was about 30 feet.

The Prime Minister did not want the police to register any case against the shoe thrower. After this incident PM continued with this speech before proceeding to attend another rally.

Modi's role in Gujarat riots, court orders probe it,

Gujrat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s role in the 2002 post-Godhra riots,Supreme Court on Monday ordered that investigated.The court sought a report within three months.

A bench of Justices Arijit Pasayat and A.K. Ganguly handed over the investigation of the riots to the Special Investigation Team headed by former CBI director R.K. Raghavan. It also asked for a probe into the role of senior bureaucrats and police officers during the riots. The court’s order followed a petition filed by Zakia Jafri.