Expressing "deep and profound sadness" over Sai Baba's death, Singh said that he was a spiritual leader who inspired millions to lead a moral and meaningful life even as they followed the religion of their choice.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today led Union ministers, chief ministers and top political leaders in mourning the death of Sathya Sai Baba, calling him an "iconic" spiritual leader who inspired millions to lead a "moral and meaningful" life.
In their condolence messages, the leaders cutting across party lines also acknowledged the contribution made by Sai Baba towards education, social work and developmental schemes, especially drinking water supply schemes in drought prone areas.
Governors, film personalties and top sports figures also hailed Sai Baba, saying he was an inspiration for many.
Expressing "deep and profound sadness" over Baba's death, the prime minister said he was a spiritual leader who inspired millions to lead a moral and meaningful life even as they followed the religion of their choice.
"Sri Sathya Sai Baba as a preacher of the highest human values was an iconic figure for over five decades. He endeared himself to the people through various institutions, with headquarters at Prashanthi Nilayam, that promoted egalitarian values, education and public health," Singh said.
The prime minister said the Baba believed that it was the duty of every person to ensure that all people have access to the basic requirements for sustenance of life.
He was "an inspiration to people of all faiths," Singh said, adding that his passing away was an "irreparable loss to all."
Vice-president M Hamid Ansari said Baba's message of love should be the guiding light in this trying hour.
"The Baba's words and actions have lit the lamp of love in the hearts of devotees. His message of service to humanity as service to God and as a means of destroying narrow-mindedness is of eternal relevance," Ansari said.
UPA chairperson and Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi said Baba's death has caused a "big vaccum."
"The news of the death of Sai Baba of Puttaparthi has greatly pained me. He was a spiritual person on whom lakhs of people had faith. In his lifetime, he inspired the people of this country and those abroad towards spiritualism and religion," Gandhi said in her condolence message.
BJP leader LK Advani said in modern times stalwarts like Swami Ramakrishna Paramhans, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Dayanand and Mahatma Gandhi are reckoned as ideals for the country and of the titans in the spiritual field in present day India, few have had the phenomenal following that the Baba had.
BJP chief Nitin Gadkari said "the departure of such a great cultural and social icon of global fame from the spiritual world has left a void which will remain unfulfilled for a long time to come."
Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK chief M Karunanidhi said Baba had showered love on him though he was an atheist.
"Though I am an atheist, Sai Baba showered love on me."
Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi said Baba was a great man who dedicated his life to provide water and education to the rural areas and medical services to the humanity.
"In the world of spiritual leaders, he was unique --who, without wandering around the world, attracted it towards Indian culture," Modi wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said Baba's death was an irrepairable loss to the society and his sermons will continue to guide and inspire the people.
Union ministers SM Krishna, Vilasrao Deshmukh and Sushil Kumar Shinde said the world has lost a great pious personality and that the "most impressive part" of his personality was the love and compassion that he always brought into his endeavours.
Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, who has been an ardent devotee of the spiritual leader for the last 45 years, said the Baba would always be a source of inspiration and that his teachings will always be remembered.
Chavan had hosted Sai Baba during his tenure as chief minister at his official residence 'Varsha'.
Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar said Sai Baba's inspirational presence and his eternal message of love and compassion have enlightened the people across the world
Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy said that Sai Baba has given his great self to service of humanity in the form of various services not only to Andhra Pradesh and the country but also to the entire world,
Telugu Desam Party president Chandrababu Naidu said, "The demise of Sathya Sai Baba is a great loss to humanity. Though he may not be there among us physically his spiritual message will continue. He will guide us forever."
Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, an ardent devotee of Sai Baba, described the spiritual leader as a "noble soul" who sacrificed his entire life for the good of human beings.
AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa said that Sai Baba has rendered service through numerous educational institutions and hospitals for half a century now and his demise was a great loss for humanity.
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