Kalam attends Sai Baba's birthday

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Puttaparthi (Andhra Pradesh): President APJ Abdul Kalam was amongst the governors, ministers and thousands of others who attended the 81st birthday celebrations of Sathya Sai Baba, worshipped as god by many, in the small town of Puttaparthi of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday.

The godman who claims to be a reincarnation of Sai Baba has been popular since the sixties. He was known for materializing flowers, vibhuti and other things from thin air for his devotees.

His followers believe he has the powers to heal and can find out what his disciples are thinking - wherever they are.

Sathya Sai Baba was born as Satyanarayan Raju in 1926 in a village in Andhra Pradesh. He says he's been possessed by the spirit of Shirdi Sai baba since an early age.

Thousands of devotees from different parts of the country and abroad lined up outside Prashanti Nilayam in Puttaparthi, from Wednesday night to seek Sai Baba's blessings.

Amongst the dignitaries at hand were Andhra Pradesh Governor Rameshwar Thakur, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Karnataka Governor TN Chaturvedi and several state ministers.

Kalam, who had arrived in Puttaparthi on Wednesday, called on Sai Baba at his abode. He lauded the social service rendered by various organisations run by Satya Sai Trust.

The president also inaugurated the Sri Satyasai International Centre for Sports Indoor Stadium built at a cost of Rs 200 million on Wednesday.

With agency inputs