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Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was amongst the governors, ministers and thousands of others who attended the 81st birthday celebrations of Satya Sai Baba in this town yesterday.
Thousands of devotees from different parts of the country and abroad had lined up outside Prashanti Nilayam in Puttaparthi from Wednesday night to seek Sai Baba's blessings. However, a stampede and police using force to control the crowd marred the celebrations.
A few people were injured when police caned the crowd, getting impatient at the delay in getting a glimpse of the famous guru. People were also disappointed that VIPs were being given preference.
Amongst the dignitaries were Andhra Pradesh Governor Rameshwar Thakur, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Karnataka Governor T.N. Chaturvedi and several state ministers.
Abdul Kalam, who had arrived in Puttaparthi on Wednesday, called on Sai Baba at his abode. He lauded the social service rendered by various organisations run by Satya Sai Trust.
The president had on Wednesday evening inaugurated the Sri Satyasai International Centre for Sports Indoor Stadium built at a cost of Rs200 million and participated in the silver jubilee convocation of the Satya Sai Deemed University.
He spent the night at Prashanti Nilayam and returned to New Delhi after attending the birthday celebrations.
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