He walked the talk

The managing trustee of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust since 2020, R.J. Rathnakar studied in schools and colleges founded by Sathya Sai Baba, and earned an MBA. His father, R.V. Janakiramaiah, was Baba's younger brother.Edited excerpts from an interview:

- BY ANIRUDHA KARINDALAM

What are your earliest memories of Baba?

I must have been six years old then; I remember him calling me and asking my name.

How was he at home, away from the crowds?

He walked the talk—he lived his entire life in perfect alignment with his teachings. Whether he was before thousands of devotees, in his private chambers, in his drawing room or dining hall, he was always the same—serene, radiant and divinely poised.

Ordinary human beings often act differently in public and in private. But with Baba, there was no difference. His divine nature was constant. Those close to him were always alert, reverent and deeply devoted, because his presence commanded that. He never indulged in casual chitchat or lowered the bar of his conduct, even in private. He was consistently the embodiment of divinity.

Tell us about the recent initiatives of the Central Trust and upcoming projects.

After Bhagwan's mahasamadhi, the Trust has continued his legacy and maintained the great institutions he founded. Our priority has been to uphold the principles Baba laid down, ensuring that his vision remains at the heart of every activity.

While many suggested adopting new models in line with modern trends, we decided to retain the essence of Baba's approach, introducing innovations only where they support the core mission.

Over the years, we have added new initiatives. For instance, several mobile hospitals have been launched to reach rural communities. We also undertook housing projects in Odisha. Another major initiative is the Sathya Sai Archives, which preserves his teachings for posterity.