5 Pillars of Charity

Distributing clothes to the poor

Providing free medical check-ups, medicine and food for approximately 3000 people

Gifting of hand-driven cycles to the handicapped

Sri Kaleshwar blesses and marries 505 wedding couples

50,000 come to witness the weddings

Inaugurating the Drought Relief Food Program

“While we are here on this planet we have to do something noble with our lives,” Sri Kaleshwar says. He teaches that all of us must help wherever we can. Our actions must leave a sweet fragrance and be a great message that lives long after we are gone. This is the dharma of each person. Real moksha (enlightenment) is when someone looks in your eyes with gratitude because you have done something to remove their suffering. Swami’s life is a living example of this. He tirelessly serves everyone who comes before him. It is an expression of his pure devotion and dedication to his master, Shirdi Baba.

Over the years, Swami has provided many social services to the poor, especially in southern India. For the past two years, through the Shirdi Sai Global Trust, he has provided food and water to the starving and homeless farmers during the terrible droughts, which have desolated the state of Andhra Pradesh the state where Swami established the Penukonda ashram. For months—during the blistering hot, dry season temporary camps were set up where 30,000 people were given shelter and fed two meals each day.

Besides giving food, Swami also greatly supports and inspires the poor and destitute by strengthening the cultural fabric of the community. In August 2004, to further help the drought-hit people of Andhra Pradesh, the Shirdi Sai Global Trust will finance marriages for 500 couples—all to be performed by Swami. To help launch and support the newlyweds each couple will be given a sewing machine, mangalasutram (wedding necklaces) and clothing. Also food will be served for the nearly 100,000 wedding guests that are expected to arrive at the Penukonda ashram for the ceremony.

Understanding the suffering of the drought-stricken people of Andhra Pradesh caused by the lack of water, Swami is providing the means to find sources of water. In Penukonda and the surrounding areas, the Trust has funded innumerable and often successful work to dig wells for the villagers. The Trust also helps the families of farmers who committed suicide due to the devastation caused by the drought.

Since 2001, an annual eye clinic has provided free operations to restore sight to thousands of people left blinded by cataracts. Also, at Swami’s birthday celebrations, hand-driven bicycles are given to the handicapped and sewing machines donated to the poor so that they can be more self-sufficient.

Swami also contributes to the construction of Shirdi Baba temples in India and around the world. It is his great desire to have Baba temples built across the globe, so everyone can come to know and share in the remarkable blessings of his master. Always Swami is looking to take care of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of people.