Basava Premanand. Vale. A fighter for truth who lived what others preach.

 

At Call For Media and Government Investigation -

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).

Basava Premanand (17 Feb. 1930-4 October 2009). India's most famous Rationalist

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!