By IANS,
Puttaparthi (Andhra Pradesh): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday said he was deeply impressed by the services rendered by spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba in education, healthcare, water supply and other areas.
Addressing the 29th convocation ceremony of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, the prime minister said the works undertaken at the institute were an example for others.
“I am deeply impressed by the work undertaken here to help the people of surrounding 731 villages that are in drought prone districts of Andhra Pradesh. Another scheme has provided reliable water supply to the east and west Godavari districts.”
He was all praise for the work done by the super specialty medical centres to general hospitals as well as the mobile medical vans that take medical care to the poorer sections of society.
Stressing the need for value-based education to youth, the prime minister said Satya Sai Institute was breaking new grounds.
The convocation of the institute, a deemed university, was part of the 85th birthday celebrations of Baba.
The prime minister later met Baba at Prashanti Nilayam, his ashram, and sought his blessings.
Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Stalin, former chief minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan and prominent personalities attended the convocation.
This pilgrim town is decked up for Baba’s birthday celebrations on Tuesday. Devotees from different parts of the country and abroad have gathered in large numbers to seek the blessings of the spiritual leader.