What is a true miracle? In Bhagwan Sathya Sai Baba’s case, is it the gift of ethereal vibhuti, or rings, or lingam? Is it the unseen presence that strengthens the devotee when he feels that all is lost? Is it the realisation of a teen that in him rested the Divine?
To me, the miracle is what Sai Baba left behind. A message so simple and so pure. A message that continues to inspire the faithful. Help ever; hurt never. Hence, this cover celebrates the centenary of Sathya Sai Baba’s birth.
And it is a mark of the message’s reach that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a note for publication in this issue, briefly outlining, among other things, the work done by Sai Baba’s devotees in the aftermath of the 2001 earthquake in Gujarat.
I have lived long enough to see spiritual legacies tarnished and tattered, and I begin to wonder about the foundation on which they were set. And when religion causes bitterness and death, and throws up walls and wars, one cannot but despair. But, in Puttaparthi and beyond, patients are still getting treated for free. Students are being taught free. Villages are being adopted and cared for. The hungry are fed. Those in despair are gifted hope. Perhaps all is not lost.
Chief Subeditor Anirudha Karindalam travelled to Puttaparthi to bring you the story. He also persuaded a galaxy of writers to pen their thoughts, among them are blues singer Dana Gillespie, former Naxalite Philip M. Prasad, Sai Baba’s nephew R.J. Rathnakar, cricketers Alvin Kallicharran, E.A.S. Prasanna and V.V.S. Laxman, US-based television anchor Ted Henry, diabetologist Dr V. Mohan, actor Vivek Oberoi, grandmaster Viswanathan Anand and others, including officials of the global Sai movement.
Last week, I had mentioned here that THE WEEK Health Summit 2025 would be held on November 15, and this issue carries a sampling of what was discussed there. Next week, please look out for a summit special issue of our Health supplement. The themes covered include obesity, cancer and non-communicable diseases.
Senior Assistant Editor Pratul Sharma takes note of Bihar, ahead of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s swearing-in. Patna University professor Rakesh Ranjan gives his take on the election and observes that “this is now a women-centred democracy in practice”. Resident Editor R. Prasannan’s column is an interesting take on Prashant Kishor—his pitch and his plummet.
In closing, let me tell you that THE WEEK was being discussed on social media last week. It was not for something we published, but for making an appearance in a short film, Aaro, starring Shyamaprasad and Manju Warrier. Viewers are sharply divided in their opinion about the film, and some are speculating about why THE WEEK was inserted as a motif. I genuinely do not know, and I am not qualified to critique movies either.
I enjoyed reading the comments, both bouquets and brickbats. Perhaps director Ranjith picked a familiar magazine is all! And now people are telling me about the various movies in which THE WEEK has appeared. It is an interesting conversation. Have you seen us on celluloid? Let me know.
I will leave you with one anecdote that Anirudha shared from Puttaparthi. When he walked into Rathnakar’s room, THE WEEK’s cover on Shirdi Sai Baba was on the table. Rathnakar smiled and asked him, “So, how do we explain this? THE WEEK is not willing to let go of Sai Baba. Perhaps, Sai Baba is not willing to let go of THE WEEK.”