Basava Premanand. Vale. A fighter for truth who lived what
others preach.
Posted by
Barry
Pittard on October 6, 2009
The foremost Indian rationalist, Basava Premanand
has died, aged 79, of cancer at Podannur, Tamil Nadu (17 February
1930 – 4 October 2009).
QUOTES
"Premanand’s close colleague Professor Narendra Nayak has just
informed me of his death, and I am deeply saddened. Premanand and I
had an extensive correspondence over the years, joined eventually by
my trusted colleague,
Robert
Priddy.
Premanand, the late Glen Meloy of the USA, and I maintained
contact during the making of BBC television’s ”The
Secret Swami”. See:
In Memoriam – Glen Meloy
(”Standing up for truth and goodness”). This
contact strengthened in the difficulties of international
co-ordination, which were considerable" ...... The word “warmth” is
one of the words that I cherish when think of Premanand, and this
quality shows in the words of a glowing tribute at Glen Meloy’s
death, when he said: “Glen’s death was a great shock. I wanted him
to live till Sai Baba was arrested … I am missing a great loving
friend whom I came to know from the BBC film production.”
"With Premanand, Robert Priddy and I worked on some research,
analysis and written work. Together, we were able to expose -
including with some Interpol and Indian police follow-up - an
extensive attempt at penetration of the networked exposure of Sathya
Sai Baba and core colleagues by one of his former college/university
teachers".
"Premanand was Sathya Sai Baba's great and
unrelenting foe in India. Alas, the forces of corruption in India,
which Premanand so courageously faced for so many years, are almost
unimaginable. Of course, to let any notion of mountainous
difficulties seep into consciousness would be to ensure that any
light in the world snuffs out fast. Premanand had those rare
blessings – innocence without naivity, and the warrior spirit that
fights for goodness and gentleness. Premanand was one of those
voices that cry out in a wilderness of superstition, fear and apathy.
However, I learn that there is a feisty younger generation who
support his work. So he will not die".
Fare thee well most good
man!