Puttaparthi:
Devotees anxious about the health status of spiritual guru Sathya Sai Baba had some reason for hope on Tuesday when doctors said he was responding to treatment. However, he is still in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is still in a critical condition.
Sai Baba was admitted to a hospital in Puttaparthi on 28th March.
"I have seen Baba myself and I have seen there is a lot of improvement. He responds if you tell him something, he is blinking, because of the ventilator he can't speak. He does make signs that he does understand. They played some music today, some bhajan and that was heard by Baba," said Dr Geeta Reddy, Minister for Major Industries, Andhra Pradesh and a Sai Baba devotee.
Prohibitory orders are in place ever since devotees thronged the high gates of the hospital where Baba has been admitted. It's been a challenge keeping the Baba's admirers at bay.
Controversial godman to some, miracle-man to others, Sai Baba's followers include the rich, famous and powerful of the country, from the world of politics, business, films and sport.
"Whenever you talk about Sai Baba, all over the world people recognise him. That is a matter of great pride for India. He is a great man,'' said Chandrababu Naidu, TDP President.
"We pray for his recovery,'' said Karunanidhi, Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu.
Sai Baba has also earned respect for setting up world class educational and health institutions and also for charitable work like drinking water projects for four semi-arid districts of Andhra Pradesh as also Chennai.
"He is providing very good education. In the field of health, he is running super speciality hospitals. Very few hospitals in the country can compare with them. He is providing drinking water. These are all basic needs,'' said K Rosaiah, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister.
For almost six years now, and after a hip fracture in 2006, Sai Baba has been confined to a wheel chair and has been giving darshan from his car or portable chair. Sai Baba's advancing age and failing health, has put question marks on the road ahead for the institutions and properties that he built up, estimated to be worth over 27000 crore rupees.