Letters from India - Part 2

40. Birthday & Visit of Prime Minister - Nov 1991

Birthday & Visit of Prime Minister

November 9-23, 1991

Prasanthi Nilayam

Dear Parents,

Here all is fine. Foot injury is healed. There were many days of cold, dark & miserable rain. Now, after a week, finality the sun is peeking out a bit. Chitravati river is full and flowing furiously! I got a cold but was only bedridden one day and now just have sinus trouble. Distressing because I’ve been loyally taking vitamins and eating fruits.

Dipavali was on 5 November. This year I was pleased to see Swami had many-colored fire works lighting up the sky, instead of the usual “BANG! Bang!! Finish.” Swami also gave discourse in the Mandir in the evening.

On 7 November the “Great Sari Giveaway of 1991” began. On 26 November: Swami gave saris to all foreigners living in the ashram on 17 November. He specifically ordered that those living outside should NOT get saris. He gave thin, see-through, polyester saris. Mine is white with different color designs. When He started to give He said, “Colors – fashion!” He complained to volunteers that the foreign Indians (living abroad) should not have sat for saris.

This year the Prime Minister is coming (Narasimha Rao) so it means vast security (complete with machine guns, walkie-talkies, etc.). They will empty out Round Building #2 & #3 to be used only for security. Even owners will have to vacate rooms! This is unheard of! But with the new office staff, they do as they wish.

We are still in South Prasanthi upstairs room but will have to vacate by 15 November, to sheds that are already full of foreigners!

26 November: On 22nd the Prime Minister of India came, along with a crowd of other famous politicians and opened the Grand New Super Specialty Hospital. Only people with Swami and those given passes were allowed in for it (about 3 miles from the ashram). In the evening was Convocation with speeches by Swami and politicians. I was really exhausted by all the extra work in Venkamma’s house, so didn’t go to the function (at 3 PM n Hill View Stadium).

23rd found all the politicians gone, all the villagers came and everyone went to Hill View Stadium. Swami arrived grandly in the chariot in dark red velvet robe. We sang bhajans and feasted our eyes on the Lord, sitting in the huge blue throne.

Alas, this was not Birth-day but Hospital-day: this year Swami paid tribute to Isaac - the American billionaire who donated millions of dollars to make the hospital possible - by sitting him on His right side. Now we know how to reach the right-hand side of the Lord (ha, ha!). Another billionaire (Sinclair) was also on the stage. In a chair on God’s left side was an Indian, Venu Gopal, the doctor who will do operations in the hospital for free.

There were two speeches totally dedicated to listing names and amounts donated to the hospital. It went, “Isaac: 2.5 crore rupees; Japan: 30 lakh rupees; a couple from USA: 25 lakh rupees” etc, etc. Strange but true!

Then Swami gave His speech. He talked of spiritual things but couldn’t resist resorting to praising the hospital, the equipment made possible with Isaac’s help, etc. Swami sang “Hari Bhajana Bina’ then presented huge silver bowls to the people sitting with Him on the stage (the three money-givers and one doctor).

Then Swami left with much fanfare and prasad (laddus) were distributed to all.

In the evening there was no jhoola (boo hoo!), instead a drama on Harischandra.

The thousands slowly decreased and now, three days later, many are gone, but still the verandahs are full of Indians cooking, sleeping and living a normal life!

The “head” of the ashram, Mr. Narayana, has already decamped and gone on holiday, but no rumors of his boss (Swami) going yet.

We moved to the shed on 10 November and they’ve just given a room again.

Venkamma is fine but is recovering from all the B-day work. She has regular bouts of fever, colds and gas problem.

I am fine – everyone else is fine here.

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu.

Love,

Divya