SATHYA SAI BABA'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE:
A MOST WARM APPRECIATION OF THE MONSTER AFRICAN DICTATOR, IDI AMIN!
and Dr. G. Venkataraman of the Prashanthi Council backs him up!
"Some
years ago, when I went on a tour to East Africa, several Africans
came to Me for darshan. Each one of them prayed, “Swami! Please
spend some time with us’’. There were a few hundred children among
them. All of them had their vision glued to My form. You know the
then President of Uganda, Mr. Idi Amin. He was a military officer.
He was young and very energetic then. He was tall and hefty. He had
a number of wives. He was very fond of Swami. He used to have the
darshan of Swami both in the morning and evening. I was very short
before that giant. The sight of Me beside him was like the view of a
deer by the side of a camel. People were surprised at his love and
devotion towards Swami. He was well educated and was the President
of his country, Uganda. He was known for his stern nature. Such a
person shed tears when I started on My return journey. He told Me,
“Swami! I have never shed tears since my birth. Today, I am very sad
and have a feeling of separation because Swami is leaving us.” He
covered his face with a handkerchief so that others may not notice
his feelings. His hands were very strong. He held My hands firmly,
expressing thanks for My visit. He also prostrated before Me. He
held My feet so tightly that it became difficult for Me later to
climb the ladder for boarding the aeroplane. At the time of My
departure, he pleaded with Me “Swami! I will surely come to have
Your darshan shortly. Otherwise, You please visit our country again.
I cannot bear the separation from You.” The situation in Uganda then
was such that he could not leave the country.
During
My stay in Uganda, he planned to host a dinner for Me in his house.
He therefore came to the house of Dr. Patel to personally enquire
about the arrangements to be made in this regard. He collected all
information as to how to organise the dinner, what should be the
menu, who are to be invited as guests, etc. He arranged for brand
new utensils for cooking various dishes. He also arranged for new
tumblers for the guests. Finally, when I visited his palace for the
dinner, all his wives stood in rows on either side and greeted Me
with veneration. He introduced them to Me, one by one. I stayed in
Kampala, the capital of Uganda."
Sathya Sai Baba - Christmas Discourse 25/12/ 2006.