http://livemint07.disqus.com/enFri, 06 Jul 2012 16:32:51 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-578940199<p>So,our honourable sir here will decide<br>1) whether the world needs more Annas or Babas<br>2)If we need some god man to come and give free water or not<br>3)and if sachin can give more attention to Anna <br>Let me tell you I am a die hard Anna Hazare supporter myself....<br>But how about you ...what are you man....just another individual in a population of six billion....You are one insignificant soul crawling on the face of earth getting invisible if i were to locate you from a ten storey building....<br>Have you given a 10 rupee note for charity ...leave alone 700 crore water supply projects for anantapur...two 200 crore hospitals .....free education from kg to post doc...do you even know that there is a degree called post doc.....<br>Forget that a mere touch can cure a cancer and bring my near one who was clinically proven dead ,back to life...what else do i call Him if not God...<br>Pity you ...pity your ignorance you are no more than an insignificant ant ....and a forgettable nuisance...<br>next time you may want to follow up on such columns write to me (dbhatija@gmail) for a fully sponsored trip to Baba's place..<br>SEE AND TALK</p>GuestFri, 06 Jul 2012 16:32:51 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-222006692<p>Interesting read. Though I would re consider making sweeping judgments. But alas! That's my folly. The word judgement has me biased to begin with :) I did write a piece on Science Vs Spirituality which was published in the Chicken soup series. Triggered through an interview with a scientifically acclaimed gentleman who has a penchant for spiritualism (Relevant here since he considered Satya Sai Baba his Guru). Will be honored to share it with you, if you so desire. <br>Just to add perspective to the multi-faceted dimension of this discussion.</p><p>Suparnaa Chadda</p>SuparnaaThu, 09 Jun 2011 01:05:50 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-197887391<p>Salil, good to have thick skin to read and react to some of these comments. I think you are right in questioning the motive, actions and lifestyle of Sai BABA. To some of the comments, I would say, that it will be unacceptable to all if I would do some charity work to counterbalance my pedophile activities. To some, I would say, don't be defensive and attack the writers skills. What I don't get is that we spend so many of our resources on these babas and fill up their coffers, why don't we actually donate that money to help the needy. Why does India only unite for cricket and religion. Nobody gets all huffy puffy at thousands of women getting raped in New Delhi recently. No Sachin Tendulkar cries ...no mass rallies are held...no donations are given....and no anger is shown. Personally, religion has become a symbol to present to the outside world of our moral views. Nobody follows the love, kindness and generosity it actually teaches. One Sai Baba is gone, many more will come claiming to be avatars but we need to figure out for us that if they should be treated as one.</p>JessRThu, 05 May 2011 15:36:20 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-195143990<p>Respected Sir, I hereby wish to inform you that I have recently built up a hospital providing free medical aid to the poor. <br>Please tell me where can I get myself a godman's certification, so that I can start ****ing up with people's brains. <br>Sincerely, <br>Aspiring Ruler of the idiot masses </p>JitenderSun, 01 May 2011 11:23:23 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-195063400<p>Building a hospital, or doing social work for the betterment of humanity, is not a miracle either. Nor does that offset alleged abuses elsewhere. Corporations, NGOs, even criminal organisations, provide some social services. None of that makes them “divine” or “miraculous.” Many others have built and funded hospitals in India; it doesn’t confer divinity upon them.</p><p>Ah, it must be a hypersensitive God, then, who doesn’t like being questioned or experimented upon. That’s a sign of arrogance; I thought Gods were all about humility.</p><p>Of course, innocence is presumed unless guilt is proven. Some witnesses have turned hostile; others have stuck to their affidavits. You miss the church metaphor: if the church is to be indicted for pedophilia, it should get some credit for the schools it builds and hospitals it provides, too, just as Sai Baba’s followers want him to get credit for the schools and hospitals. Credit and blame go together – that was my point. Do reflect a bit on that.<br></p>SalilSun, 01 May 2011 05:28:58 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-195000383<p>Since you talk about rationalists, any *real* rationalist would know that his real miracles aren't about producing vibhuti, etc but about the social work that he has done. That is his real contribution to the betterment of humanity. You cannot take that away from him and for that if he or anyone else (who has similar contribution) wants to be considered a godman, I say give that to him. Lives have changed for the better. I don't know how many people in India (or writers in London) have *built and funded a hospital* on their resume. And that's naming only one accomplishment.<br>Since you talk about rationalists, any *real* rationalist would know that conducting scientific experiments proves nothing. If he didn't produce a jackfruit when it was asked of him - it doesn't mean jack. (If there is a God maybe he doesn't like experiments being done on his godment - go figure that one out!)<br>As far as considering most of his followers as fools, misguided, illiterate - go with what works for you - whether it is athesim or spirituality - whatever belief helps you get through life.<br>I consider the only reasonable objection you have raised is that of the criminal accusations levelled against him. No one is above the law but you're innocent until proven guilty. And if witnesses have turned hostile that's too bad for them. Your trying to indict him by using paedophilia in the catholic church as his defence is laughable.</p><p>Chew on this for a while.</p>sidSat, 30 Apr 2011 23:41:36 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-195000346<p>Since you talk about rationalists, any *real* rationalist would know that his real miracles aren't about producing vibhuti, etc but about the social work that he has done. That is his real contribution to the betterment of humanity. You cannot take that away from him and for that if he or anyone else (who has similar contribution) wants to be considered a godman, I say give that to him. Lives have changed for the better. I don't know how many people in India (or writers in London) have *built and funded a hospital* on their resume. And that's naming only one accomplishment.<br>Since you talk about rationalists, any *real* rationalist would know that conducting scientific experiments proves nothing. If he didn't produce a jackfruit when it was asked of him - it doesn't mean jack. (If there is a God maybe he doesn't like experiments being done on his godment - go figure that one out!)<br>As far as considering most of his followers as fools, misguided, illiterate - go with what works for you - whether it is athesim or spirituality - whatever belief helps you get through life.<br>I consider the only reasonable objection you have raised is that of the criminal accusations levelled against him. No one is above the law but you're innocent until proven guilty. And if witnesses have turned hostile that's too bad for them. Your trying to indict him by using paedophilia in the catholic church as his defence is laughable.</p><p>Chew on this for a while.</p>sidSat, 30 Apr 2011 23:41:26 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-194369674<p>Debee: Salil a "WANNABE journo"? And "desperate" and "HALF-BAKED" at that? And he should go to a "PROPER journo school"? And "learn to WRITE"? (If you get your rhythm right - dum-de-dum-de-dum-de-dum - you should begin to sound like scruffy, scatty Tim Burton on Jay Leno. No offence to Tim Burton, but it was evident that he'd never taken language classes either. He mumbled, made no sense. Jay Leno slew him, gently and laughing all the while.)</p>MansolarisFri, 29 Apr 2011 17:22:10 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-194271809<p>Re-posting final paragraph, clear of typos:</p><p>A couple of commentators have mentioned the millions of followers he had – so do rock stars and cricketers. That doesn’t make them divine. I’m curious why Liz de la Vallee feels embarrassed about what she characterises as my ignorance, since she gets neither credit nor blame for what I write. Why this odd possessiveness? To Sridhar: my intention behind writing the article was precisely to point out what Sai Baba’s legacy is really all about. The other issues you raise in your email are extraneous. Yes, Manila is in the Philippines, and yes, I have met his devotees in India and abroad. That hasn’t changed my view. And nobody is forced to read what I write. And Dr Sundrania, coconuts are good for you – they have direct health benefits which can be shown scientifically - but in moderation. And I thank Deebee for his advice that I should consider going to a journalism school. Perhaps in my next life, when, Guest reassures me I might learn who the Mahatma is. I wish – but since reincarnation isn’t scientifically proven, I will do with what this life offers.</p><p>Thanks once again, everyone;</p><p>Salil</p>SalilFri, 29 Apr 2011 14:21:12 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-194270504<p><br>Thank you for these responses; I appreciate that you have taken the trouble and time to respond to my column.</p><p>To those who liked what I said, thank you, Good, Scientific Tempered, Illuminati, Pati, Chimpi, SKP, and others. To those who didn’t like what I said, I understand your disagreement; but we will have to agree to disagree.</p><p>First, Sidh Arth and Guest: I don’t moderate comments; it is done at Mint’s offices. The site is updated regularly; but it isn’t instantaneous. And any website would reserve the right not to post certain comments, based on the rules that site has set up. As you can see, your comments were, indeed, up; you complained too soon.</p><p>As Vignesh Manne notes, Sai Baba had a vast following, and as I say in my piece, I accept that his message calmed many of them. I also acknowledge the activities of his trust, which, as Somnath Pilla notes, shows the failure of the State. Like hari Parmeshwar says, there are many similar anecdotes, where people have seen through Sai Baba’s tricks. That he refused to accept challenges for controlled experiments shows why he undermined the ethos of scientific temper. Sokradhar Sharma, I hope that partly answers your question. Had he agreed to be challenged by rationalists without setting preconditions, we’d at least have known enough to form our conclusions. But he wanted submission – and no challenges. Er, that’s not scientific temper, really. Rohit, nice one ☺ And Tekchandv, what you call hate emails have kept on coming ☺ Satyadharma, please see the story in Caravan last year.</p><p>A couple of commentators have mentioned the millions of followers he had – so do rock stars and cricketers. That doesn’t make them divine. I’m curious why Liz de la Vallee feels embarrassed about what she characterise as my ignorance, since she get neither credit nor blame for what I write. Why this odd possessiveness? To Sridhar: my intention behind writing the article was precisely to point out what Sai Baba’s legacy is really all about. The other issues you raise in your email are extraneous. Yes, Manila is in the Philippines, and yes, I have met his devotees in India and abroad. That hasn’t changed my view. And nobody is forced to read what I write. And Dr Sundrania, coconuts are good for you – they have direct health benefits which can be shown scientifically. And I thank Deebee for his advice that I should consider going to a journalism school. Perhaps in my next life, when, Guest reassures me I might learn who the Mahatma is. I wish – but since reincarnation isn’t scientifically proven, I will do with what this life offers. <br></p>SalilFri, 29 Apr 2011 14:18:34 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-193845798<p>Its so simple to understand. Everybody has a problem,physical or mental, be it tendulkar or anyone.So they get attracted to these demi-gods.</p>SgdaksgThu, 28 Apr 2011 21:01:49 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-193841781<p>Not a Chinese but a HMT watch,man</p>ChjsasgjdThu, 28 Apr 2011 20:58:00 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-193840196<p>Debee,<br> The only thing I like about this guy is that he had a lot of projects like schools,colleges,hospitals and did not have any chamchas like mayavati. But then you cannot convince Indians about this proclivity.<br> </p>McfdrefdThu, 28 Apr 2011 20:56:14 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-193509877<p>Your gullibility with so called God-man is so obvious, I'm sorry for you! </p>AdiThu, 28 Apr 2011 13:57:04 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-193385385<p>I LIKE what he wrote. There is an urgent need to challenge blind faith in India. With each passing year, more and more people seem to be getting more and more stupid, including top professionals and educated people.</p>Vidyut GoreThu, 28 Apr 2011 11:42:12 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-193383648<p>Baba Amte is an awesome dude, who led the bleeding edge of teaching people to think critically. His advocacy of leprosy and his having himself injected to show people is something most of today's doctors would be too superstitious to do.</p>Vidyut GoreThu, 28 Apr 2011 11:40:10 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-193382137<p>Actually, its excellently written. perhaps you want to revisit reading?</p>Vidyut GoreThu, 28 Apr 2011 11:38:27 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-193381764<p>Dhongis like Sai Baba are supported by our equally insane so called educated people, who believe blindly. I believe it is equal stupidity for a skeptic to keep shut and pay polite deference rather than offend people. When big celebrities and whatnots swear by him, how to you expect the gullible and uneducated masses to attempt critical thinking?</p>Vidyut GoreThu, 28 Apr 2011 11:37:57 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-193314277<p>Hi, people are illiterate, gullible and foolish. I think you are one of them. You have no idea what science is. It is a pity it is none the less of such great benefit to you (what gave you the internet, a longer lifespan, spectacles blah). No history tells us that Ram or Krishna were born in India. Creations of the mind are not always true. Exhibit A today is your Sai Baba's divinity, which is not just untrue, but is in fact a malicious falsity spread by himself to dupe people. Who says he is divine? Him. And his followers, who have to accept that he is divine first before they are treated to his divinity. See the flaw in that? I think not. A pity, but such are his followers. <br>Do you know how he gets his money, or what percentage of it is used for his philanthropic activities? I think not. Nobody does. Till you do know, you can't really say how nice it is of him to do it. Why? If he gets 100 Rs for being good, and makes people think so by spending 10 Rs, isn't that a great business? Fool proof. And a magnet to the fools. <br>I wonder, all these portraits of him that people have. Does he sell it to them? Great business plan, huh? And this crap about producing something from nothing. He's been spotted cheating on that promise. His followers, of course, are blind to this. Why? He is divine. Who says he is divine? Him. Brilliant. <br>What technology has achieved today? People like you can sit on the internet and comment on forums that it is useless. It's funny you mention the spiritual crap that happens in this country and also that India seems to be doing badly in this Wikileaks thing (which it is not, FYI).</p><p>Summarising, I hope I have explained to you just how your comment is stupid, misguided, and makes you seem very foolish. Your swamy has been accused of disgusting things by people, and the court cases have never come to their rightful conclusion. Things like 'showing himself' to male devotees. And he's been videotaped cheating people by producing shit from so called thin air. In general, he is a liar and a cheat. Maybe if his people allow *unbiased* people to look into their finances and if they say that he did not hoard his devotees donations, I'd agree that he was at least a philanthropist. Irrespective of all that though, he *is not divine* and has been defrauding people by claiming that he is this and that.</p><p>One last thing. Didn't he claim that he would die at age 96? What happened to that? Perhaps his divine power lied to him then? Poof.</p>GuyThu, 28 Apr 2011 10:03:36 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-193307887<p>salil tripathi please learn to respect somebody who did much to humanity and in this case indians were most benefited by Sai baba. Also please be informed whetehr you like spirituality or not we are living in a world which is not seeing good times and apparently it is difficult times. when a god man as you say like sai baba does something good atleast be courteuos to him.</p>SgowraThu, 28 Apr 2011 09:48:18 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-193283892<p>While your articles generally make for interesting reading, this seems like written in a hurry, with the usual verve we expect of you missing. </p>KashyapThu, 28 Apr 2011 08:51:20 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-193262787<p>Salil, you are the Christpher Hitchens of India. Hats off!!</p>VjdotbrightThu, 28 Apr 2011 08:00:36 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-193256497<p>Sir, We live in a free country. Devotees of Swami are not the irrational fools you portray us to be. Please do not allow your "concern" for us to stop your work. After all, Baba has always said Duty is God, Work is Worship. In a free democratic India, we have a right to believe in anyone. Let us just say that Swami's Love for us manifested itself in social work that simply swept the government off its feet - The government is only interested in looting crores. So Swami has done what the government should do in the Rayalaseema region. Being the journalist that you are, it is best if you write your columns with an informed opinion rather than talking randomly without ever visiting Puttaparthi. If you do not care, Swami and his devotees have lost nothing. So thank you all very much for your "concern" and I assure you that we very much can decide for ourselves and take care of our lives. </p>GirisriraminThu, 28 Apr 2011 07:39:22 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-193243929<p>Yes, a state of supreme gullibility.</p>just some guyThu, 28 Apr 2011 06:57:04 -0000http://www.livemint.com/articles/2011/04/27214506/The-godman-of-Puttaparthi.html#comment-193241052<p>Strange! Are you attacking writer's style or the content. Which 'Journo School' by the way you have graduated? </p>InfoThu, 28 Apr 2011 06:43:51 -0000