The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Spiritual leaders do their bit for Anantapur

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 28, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Spiritual leaders do their bit for Anantapur

By B. Chandrashekhar

ANANTAPUR, DEC. 27. The mention of Anantapur district reminds people of unending stretches of parched lands, rocky hillocks without even a trace of vegetation and, of course, the gruesome killings of not only rivals but also damaging their sources of income like fruit orchards, as part of the faction feuds.

The other side of Anantapur is in total contrast to the first. The district has produced two of the most revered spiritual leaders who have a wide following within the country and outside -- Sathya Saibaba of Puttaparthi and Ganapathi Sachidananda Swamy of Bommeparthi, the latter having his spiritual headquarters at Mysore.

Besides, there are about a dozen more spiritual leaders and/or self-styled godmen, who are attracting devotees in their own measure. Of the remaining lot, Sai Kaleshwar of Penukonda is fast emerging as another major spiritual leader.

Foreign tourists

In spite of the lack of any historical or other tourist attractions in the drought-prone district, the flow of tourists, particularly those from foreign lands, is quite high to the district.The spiritual leaders are furthering their popularity by taking up various societal and spiritual/religious development programmes. Sathya Saibaba of Puttaparthi has earned followers not just for his spiritual path but also for the welfare programmes taken up by him through educational institutions, health services and drinking water projects.

Free education from schooling to post graduation at Puttaparthi, Bangalore, Anantapur and a few other places, free medicare through two super speciality hospitals at Puttaparthi and Bangalore and drinking water projects in Anantapur, Medak, Mahabubnagar, Chittoor and Nellore districts, including funding for lining of K-P canal carrying drinking water to Chennai are the major programmes taken up for the people by Sathya Saibaba.

Welfare programmes

Running schools for the poor at Mysore, an ashram (`Amma Odi') for the rehabilitation of sex workers at Hyderabad, a `Veda patashala' at Mysore and conducting health camps at various places are among the programmes taken up for society by Ganapathi Sachidananda Swamy.

In spite of facing allegations of various irregularities from time to time, Sai Kaleshwar has been taking up welfare programmes for the poor like conducting mass marriages, distribution of assets for livelihood of the poor, providing aids like wheel-chairs and tri-cycles to the physically challenged persons and conducting health camps.

Many schemes

Earlier this year, he also offered financial assistance to pending irrigation projects in the district, if the Government is willing. Besides, he is planning to set up a hospital for the benefit of the poor and a unique welfare scheme for the poor on a permanent basis.

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