Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a significant visit to Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday to honor the legacy of spiritual leader Sri Sathya Sai Baba on his birth centenary celebrations. The Prime Minister paid his respects at the holy shrine and Mahasamadhi of the revered spiritual figure.
Grand Celebrations in Puttaparthi
PM Modi's visit to the spiritual hub was marked by enthusiastic public participation. Before reaching the venue, the Prime Minister held a roadshow that attracted massive crowds eager to welcome him. The area was heavily secured with barricades and police deployment to ensure safety during the high-profile visit.
The event saw the presence of prominent personalities including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, and actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Union Ministers Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and G Kishan Reddy also joined the celebrations.
During the ceremony, PM Modi released a commemorative coin and a set of stamps honoring the life, teachings, and enduring legacy of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The Prime Minister also addressed the gathering, highlighting the spiritual leader's contributions to humanity.
Moving to Agricultural Initiatives
Following the spiritual ceremonies, Prime Minister Modi traveled to Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, to inaugurate the South India Natural Farming Summit at approximately 1:30 PM. This significant agricultural event is being organized by the Tamil Nadu Natural Farming Stakeholders Forum and will run from November 19th to 21st.
The Prime Minister utilized this platform to release the 21st instalment of PM-KISAN benefits, amounting to over ₹18,000 crore that will support nine crore farmers across the nation. This substantial financial support aims to strengthen the agricultural community and boost rural economy.
Focus on Sustainable Farming
The South India Natural Farming Summit represents a crucial step toward promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The event aims to accelerate the shift toward natural and regenerative farming as a viable, climate-smart, and economically sustainable model for India's agricultural future.
The summit will focus on creating market linkages for farmer-producer organizations and rural entrepreneurs while showcasing innovations in organic inputs, agro-processing, eco-friendly packaging, and indigenous technologies. Over 50,000 participants including farmers, natural farming practitioners, scientists, and stakeholders from Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh are expected to participate.
Remembering Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Sri Sathya Sai Baba, born as Sathyanarayana Raju on November 23, 1926, in Puttaparthi, was one of the most revered spiritual teachers with millions of followers worldwide. He passed away on April 24, 2011, at the age of 84. According to Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, the spiritual leader had declared that he was the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba.
The centenary celebrations not only honored his spiritual teachings but also recognized his contributions to education, healthcare, and social service through various institutions established under his guidance.
