Overview
- The Prime Minister offered prayers at Prasanthi Nilayam and the Mahasamadhi, performed special pujas, and took part in a godanam ceremony by handing cows to farmers.
- He released a commemorative Rs 100 coin and a set of postage stamps and said devotees in 140 countries draw direction from the guru’s teachings.
- In his address, Modi highlighted service as the core of Indian civilisational values and cited Sai institutions’ work in education, healthcare, rural development and disaster relief.
- The event drew large crowds and featured dignitaries including Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan, Sachin Tendulkar and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
- Aishwarya Rai delivered a unity-themed speech quoting “one caste, the caste of humanity,” with a widely shared clip showing her touching the Prime Minister’s feet on stage.