MAPUSA
Stating that he is a big fan of the Sai Baba, Ports Minister Michael Lobo said he owed his success in life and his rise in politics to Sai Baba of Shirdi.
“I go to Shirdi every year to take the blessings of the Sai Baba. His blessings are with me. I have come up in life, enjoy good health and am able to work for the people only because of his blessings,” Lobo said.
The Ports Minister was speaking to a group of Sai Baba devotees who kicked off a padyatra to Shirdi from Mapusa.
Former Mapusa Chairperson Sudhir Kandolkar and other political leaders were also present on the occasion.
Continuing, Lobo said he first went to Shirdi when he decided to contest an election for the first time in the State.
He disclosed that a Sai Baba devotee had advised him that if a leaf falls near him he should keep it or swallow it.
“Just as I was advised, as I was praying below a tree, a leaf came and fell on me. I ate the leaf. It is a prasad. There and there I came to know that I would win the elections,” he said, sparking a big applause from the devotees.
“He gave me axirvad (blessings) there and from that time onwards there was no looking back. For almost 12 years now, I have been serving the people of Goa,” he added.
He said Sai Baba made no differences among people and followed all religions.
“Sai Baba is a guru of all religions,” Lobo said.
According to the Ports Minister all prayers of those who believe in the Sai Baba and have faith in him are answered.
“I guarantee you all your intentions will be fulfilled 100 per cent by the Sai Baba. I have full trust in him,” he said to the devotees.
The devotees who kick-started the padyatra are expected to reach Shirdi on January 23. They will walk a distance of 45 to 50 kms a day.
The distance from Goa to Shirdi in Maharashtra is around 660 kms.
