Modi marks birth centenary of Sathya Sai Baba in Andhra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tribute to Sathya Sai Baba, describing the late spiritual leader as a timeless source of guidance whose teachings continue to inspire followers across the world. He was speaking at the guru’s birth centenary celebrations in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, where he also released a commemorative Rs 100 coin and a set of postal stamps.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said the centenary year was “a divine blessing” and a reminder of the enduring influence of Sai Baba’s message. Though the guru was no longer physically present, the Prime Minister said his “love and spirit of service” remained a driving force for crores of devotees. He noted that followers in nearly 140 countries continued to draw light and direction from Baba’s teachings.

Modi stressed that India’s various spiritual traditions ultimately converged on the principle of seva, regardless of whether one pursued devotion, knowledge or action. He said the ethos of ‘Seva Parmo Dharmah’ had strengthened the nation through centuries of change, shaped time and again by saints and reformers.

Quoting Baba’s famous words, “Love All, Serve All,” Modi said the guru viewed service as love expressed through action. He added that institutions established by Sai Baba in the fields of education, healthcare, rural development and social welfare testified to this belief. According to him, the spiritual leader “never imposed any doctrine” but consistently worked to alleviate suffering and support the poor.

Recalling the aftermath of the Gujarat earthquake, Modi said the Sathya Sai Seva Dal had been among the earliest groups to reach affected families, providing relief, essential supplies and emotional support. He noted that the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust continued to expand its service initiatives in an organised and sustained manner.

The PM highlighted some of the Trust’s major projects, including laying over 3,000 km of pipelines to address drinking water shortages in Rayalaseema, constructing 1,000 homes for flood-affected families in Odisha and operating hospitals where poor patients receive high-quality treatment “without any billing counter”. He said many patients were astonished to find that care was provided entirely free of cost and without inconvenience to families.

Modi also welcomed the opening of 20,000 Sukanya Samriddhi accounts by the Sri Sathya Sai fraternity. He said more than four crore such accounts had been opened nationwide, with deposits exceeding Rs 3.25 lakh crore. The PM added that he had participated in a Gau Daan ceremony, during which 100 cows were gifted to poor farming families, noting that cows held deep cultural significance as symbols of prosperity and compassion.

Speaking about government welfare measures, Modi said India’s social security schemes had begun to draw attention at international forums. Coverage had expanded from 25 crore people in 2014 to nearly 100 crore today, he said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust Managing Trustee R J Rathnakar were among those present at the event.