India mourns Sai Baba's death, PM calls him iconic figure

New Delhi (PTI) - Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh on sunday led Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and top
political leaders in mourning the death of Sathya Sai Baba,
calling him an "iconic" spiritual leader who inspired millions
to lead a "moral and meaningful" life.
In their condolence messages, the leaders cutting across
party lines also acknowledged the contribution made by Baba
towards education, social work and developmental schemes,
especially drinking water supply schemes in drought prone
areas.
Governors, film personalties and top sports figures also
hailed the Baba, saying he was an inspiration for many.
Expressing "deep and profound sadness" over Baba's
death, the Prime Minister said he was a spiritual leader who
inspired millions to lead a moral and meaningful life even as
they followed the religion of their choice.
"Sri Sathya Saibaba as a preacher of the highest human
values was an iconic figure for over five decades. He endeared
himself to the people through various institutions, with
headquarters at Prashanthi Nilayam, that promoted egalitarian
values, education and public health," Singh said.
The Prime Minister said the Baba believed that it was
the duty of every person to ensure that all people have access
to the basic requirements for sustenance of life.
He was "an inspiration to people of all faiths," Singh
said, adding that his passing away was an "irreparable loss to
all."
Indian Vice President M Hamid Ansari said Baba's message
of love should be the guiding light in this trying hour.
"The Baba's words and actions have lit the lamp of love
in the hearts of devotees. His message of service to humanity
as service to God and as a means of destroying narrow-
mindedness is of eternal relevance," Ansari said.
UPA Chairperson and Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi said
Baba's death has caused a "big vaccum."
"The news of the death of Sai Baba of Puttaparthi has
greatly pained me. He was a spiritual person on whom lakhs of
people had faith. In his lifetime, he inspired the people of
this country and those abroad towards spiritualism and
religion," Gandhi said in her condolence message.
BJP leader L K Advani said in modern times stalwarts
like Swami Ramakrishna Paramhans, Swami Vivekananda, Swami
Dayanand and Mahatma Gandhi are reckoned as ideals for the
country and of the titans in the spiritual field in present
day India, few have had the phenomenal following that the Baba
had.
BJP chief Nitin Gadkari said "the departure of such a
great cultural and social icon of global fame from the
spiritual world has left a void which will remain unfulfilled
for a long time to come."
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M Karunanidhi
said Baba had showered love on him though he was an atheist.
"Though I am an atheist, Sai Baba showered love on me."
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said Baba was a
great man who dedicated his life to provide water and
education to the rural areas and medical services to the
humanity.
"In the world of spiritual leaders, he was unique --
who without wondering around the world, attracted it towards
Indian culture," Modi wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said Baba's death was
an irrepairable loss to the society and his sermons will
continue to guide and inspire the people.
Union Ministers S M Krishna, Vilasrao Deshmukh and
Sushil Kumar Shinde said the world has lost a great pious
personality and that the "most impressive part" of his
personality was the love and compassion that he always brought
into his endeavours.
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who has
been an ardent devotee of the spiritual leader for the last
45 years, said the Baba would always be a source of
inspiration and that his teachings will always be remembered
Chavan had hosted Sai Baba during his tenure as Chief
Minister at his official residence 'Varsha'.
Lok Sabha Speaker MeiraKumar said Baba's inspirational
presence and his eternal message of love and compassion have
enlightened the people across the world
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy said
Baba has given his great self to service of humanity in the
form of various services not only to AP and the country but
also to the entire world,
Telugu Desam Party President Chandrababu Naidu said,
"The demise of Sathya Sai Baba is a great loss to humanity.
Though he may not be there among us physically his spiritual
message will continue. He will guide us forever."
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, an ardent
devotee of Sai Baba, described the spiritual leader as a
"noble soul" who sacrificed his entire life for the good of
human beings.
AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa said Baba has rendered service
through numerous educational institutions and hospitals for
half a century now and his demise was a great loss for
humanity.