Actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan attended the birth centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi on Wednesday, where she reflected on his teachings and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was present at the event.
“I extend a heartfelt thank you to PM Narendra Modi ji for being with us today and honouring this special occasion. I look forward to your wise, inspiring words. Your presence adds sanctity to this centenary celebration and reinforces Swami’s message that true leadership is service—and service to man is service to God,” Aishwarya said in her address.
The Padma Shri awardee recalled Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s emphasis on the “Five D’s”—Discipline, Dedication, Devotion, Determination and Discrimination, qualities he believed were essential for a purposeful and spiritually grounded life.
She also delivered a message of universal harmony, stating, “There is only one caste, the caste of humanity; one religion, the religion of love; one language, the language of the heart; and one God, who is omnipresent.”
The centenary event was attended by several dignitaries, including former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, union Ministers Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and G. Kishan Reddy, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
On the occasion, PM Modi released a commemorative coin and a set of stamps honouring ‘Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s’ life and teachings. The celebrations also featured cultural performances, and the Prime Minister visited the holy shrine and Mahasamadhi of Sri Sathya Sai Baba to offer his respects.
