Just about faith

Mona

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Starting today, 22 years on India and Pakistan would be one; the process has just started...says Aushim Khetrapal, matter of factly! “The whole hatred will lead to a compromise and who is going to do it? Sai Baba, he is the one who is equally followed by Hindus and Muslims,” says this sports-promoter-turned-spiritual guru. A knack for creating ‘brand’ is one of his talents and no wonder he has already signed a 40-book contract with Anurag Mehta, CEO Nita Mehta Group of Companies! Next, there is range of natural products.

Tainted after getting embroiled in match-fixing controversy, Anurag lost his riches and followed Sai Baba on his wife’s request. And now, his followers call ‘him’ Sai Baba! His foundation has some 12 lakh followers and he practices clairvoyance, something he claims he was gifted with right in the childhood. “It is a miracle that my company was cleared of all charges, I did not do it,” says Aushim, in Chandigarh to launch a book about him called The Chosen One, written by Kanu Priya. The 86-page book brings in turns and twists that Aushim has seen and has been printed by Nita Mehta Publications.

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When Kanu Priya met Aushim in relation to a live programme wherein he would answer callers’ queries from Saisatcharitra, she too considered him a fluke. But that was due to change. “I was surprised how even he knew it all; on how he got things right more often than not and how people started taking him to be embodiment of Sai Baba,” shares the writer. An article elaborated later took the form of a book. The book begins with young Aushim hoping to become big, famous and rich and achieving that at a huge personal cost. Relationships, business and also the infamous match-fixing controversies, including Chris Lewis and Stephen Fleming, are a part of the book.

While one can divide people in two groups – those who believe in Aushim and his power of healing and those who call him a smart seller - this man, full of stories, is all for faith. “Sprituality for me is doing what one loves, regardless of how others see it.” He sees no bad in betting, but fixing is bad. He claims that he does not take money for his prophecies. But then there are books, comics, shows and films based on Sai Baba, and his miracles that earn him revenue.

In fact, the Chosen One, which has been translated into Hindi under the title Vijayi Bhav, is going to be made into a movie called Om Allah. And, it’s not going to be his first film. Along with a penchant for singing, Aushim has also produced and acted in film ‘Come December’, which deals with the issue of AIDS.

“Belief in the self is the key to all the success,” he says. We can’t contend that!

mona@tribunemail.com