Thaindian News

Port-of-Spain, April 26 (IANS) Thousands in Trinidad and Tobago have mourned the death of Sathya Sai Baba.

Acting Prime Minister Winston Dookeran said that Sai Baba’s work in the spiritual, social, healthcare and humanitarian fields were well documented and worthy of emulation.

“His message of peace, concord, harmony, truthfulness, spirituality and benevolence might well remain unmatched for generations to come,” he said in a statement.

“Sai Baba’s message is much needed in today’s social, political and moral environment. Indeed, his life was his message as he strove to set new standards which politicians should emulate. He was a deeply spiritual person.”

Since Sai Baba’s death Sunday, there have been nightly satsangs at several Sai Baba Centres scattered across the country. The five East Indian radio stations have hosted special programmes in tribute to him.

The chairman of the San Fernando Sai Centre, Anand Chatoorgoon, said Sai Baba had been “a saga of love and sacrifice, and he has touched the hearts of people everywhere”.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Surujattan Rambachan has been instructed to send condolences to the government of India.

Hundreds of temples and other places of worship organised Sai Baba bhajans. Several prominent members of the Sai Baba leadership here are now in India to attend his funeral.

Sai Baba has been firmly entrenched in the religious landscape here for more than 40 years. A few years ago, attempts were made to have him visit Trinidad and Tobago but it did not materialise.

Trinidad and Tobago Indians account for 44 percent of the country’s 1.3 million people, with about 24 percent being Hindus.

People of all ethnic, social and financial standings form part of the Sai Baba movement here.