The special volume on the 19th century saint Shirdi Sai Baba, Seat of Syncretic Spirituality, brought out by The Hindu, was launched in Shirdi on Saturday by Shri Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan Trust chairman Suresh Kashinath Haware.
Dr. Haware lauded The Hindu for bringing out the 100-page book consisting of well-researched articles on the life and times of the saint, with some memorable colour photographs of the Samadhi Mandir, the Dwarkamai (the masjid where Shirdi Sai Baba spent his lifetime), Chavadi, Gurusthan and other important places in the Shirdi Sai Baba temple complex.
Before the release, the volume was placed at the feet of the marble idol of Shri Sai Baba in the Samadhi Mandir.
Dr. Haware said the Sai movement was growing by leaps and bounds throughout the world. Already, there were over 500 temples in different countries and over 4,000 temples in India. The main motto of the saint was Shradda and Saburi , and service to the humanity was his main preaching, he said.
He said the centenary celebrations of the Samadhi of the saint would be held from October 01, 2017 to October 18, 2018, and sevakkari (service) would be the main theme.
The temples worldwide and in India would launch several initiatives.
Among those present at the function were vice-chairman of the trust Chandrasekhar Laxmanrao Kadam; trustees Bhausaheb Rajaram Wackchaure, Sachin Bhagwat Tambe, Mohan Motiram Jaykar, Pratap Sakhahari Bhosale; Mayor and trustee Yogita Abhay Shelke; Executive Officer Bhajirao Walmik Shinde; Public Relations Officer Mohan J. Yadav; Deputy Executive Officer Sandeep Aher; and Chief Accounts Officer Baba Saheb Ghorpade. The Regional General Manager of The Hindu in Mumbai, N Vaidyanathan, was also present.
