As Reformer

In later years it is learnt that he was holding some higher position in the Government besides being an office bearer of Swami's Organisation.

Once Kasturiji, Baba's biographer, remarked that Baba 'catches whom He wants by his neck and puts him into His basket'. I have noticed that this has often been through healing of an ailment, curing of a chronic disease or saving from an accident. I know of one such case intimately when Baba not only cured his long-standing heart disease but also bestowed upon him physical, mental and spiritual strength to lead a purposeful and more meaningful life.

A wealthy Industrialist of Bhopal had little knowledge of the greatness of the Avatar. But two of his staff members, who had the good fortune of Baba's Darshan at Bombay and Puttaparthi, acquainted him with the nectarine story of the Avatar. It was at that time the organisation at Bhopal was taking roots. The office bearers, having obtained Swami's permission for a college at Bhopal, approached this industrialist for help. One of them had several sittings with him over a period of a few months at the end of which he agreed to be with them to have Darshan of Baba at Bombay. On 14th May 1974 Baba called the group headed by State President for an interview. The all-knowing Lord made this industrialist the Convener of His Trust in MP. Like a typical businessman he appealed to Baba that he may not be competent to hold that responsibility and that he was a heart patient. But Baba said: 'Baba first sees the capacity of the lorry before filling the load. Don't worry about your heart. Swami is in your heart.' That settled the issue. In the personal interview that followed Baba created vibhuti and Himself rubbed it on his chest and said 'You are all right'. On return he consulted his family physician, a heart specialist, who declared, "it is amazing; none can say that you ever had an attack".

But Baba wouldn't stop at that. He knew a follow up was necessary to cement his faith. After a couple of months we all again visited Puttparthi in a group and in the interview that followed Baba materialised a locket with the embossed image of Ashtabhujangini Durga and before releasing it from His palm asked the gentleman: 'What is this'? he said 'beyond me Baba'. 'What is this me'? 'That is also beyond me Baba'. Then releasing the gift He bestowed the biggest boon saying "Arogyashakti, Dhanashakti, Sarvashakti". We were spell bound. The devotee could not speak. He was full with Swami. The reaction was wonderful and inspiring. The devotee withdrew himself slowly from all organisations and associations which had entangled him for money and position and became an exclusive Sai worker, being the mainstay for the Trust and the College.

There is another incident depicts the act of compassion and protection of beloved Bhagawan. In the group that was called in by Swami one Mr. Singh (must have been in his seventies) who was a Captain of Hotel industry, having a chain of hotels including one at London. Baba extended His hand towards him and asked for the locket he was wearing. When it was placed in His hand He showed it to all of us. It was an oversize locket with the image over it completely effaced as if smashed by the impact of some very heavy weight. Baba took it and blew at it. It became a beautiful locket again with Swami's image shining on it. Swami gave it with all His love to Mr. Singh who was sobbing in tears, after showing it to all of us.

We learnt later the thrilling experience. He was driving at a high speed on a London road. His car collided with another and the impact was so heavy that he was thrown out of it at a distance, the car having been smashed beyond recognition. But to his pleasant surprise Mr. Singh found himself squatting on the footpath unhurt. This miraculous escape suddenly sent his hand in search of the locket given by his protector and it was completely defaced as if it alone received the jolt. We also learnt later that Shri Singh only had constructed the Hostel for Boys at Brindavan.