Ujjain: For most of those who know him, he is a high-profile sadhu. Glamour seems to follow him when he camps across India. Suspense hovers around him. Basically an Indian Air Force pilot belonging to a royal family, he was not so famous when he was participating in three wars during his service time.
But, when he denounced worldly goods some 50 years ago and was given the name of Somnath Giri alias Mahayogi Pilot Baba, he very shortly spread his influence world-wide.
Pilot Baba-the senior most mahamandleshwar of Panchdashnam Juna Akhara—is camping in Ujjain these days in connection with dedication of Brahm Neelganga Peeth. On Tuesday, Free Press team interacted with him at a private hotel. Excerpts
Tell us about your engagements nowadays?
Our Maha Yogi Foundation is organising award function at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on August 4. Special recognition will be given to about 45 persons from different fields particularly those who have been untouched by government recognitions and those who are working unnoticeably for peace, society and country throughout their lives.
To boost their morale is the need of the hour and we did it previously also when Indira Gandhi happened to be the prime minister. Our country has been made weaker and thus there is a need to uplift those figures who are working in the field of education, culture, remote tribal belts and extending all sorts of help to deprived people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be among them as he has united the country. Through the recent general elections, he has brought out people from the boundaries of caste, religion, etc, and Uttar Pradesh is the glaring example. People have now understood the significance of their right to vote. Opportunists have lost their ground now.
Why do politicians forget their pre-poll promises?
If you enjoy power for 10 years or so and forget to serve the people, they will not vote for you again. They can bring them to power for 10-15 years, but what you delivered is more important.
If you fail to deliver anything, they will throw you out and this is happened so many times during last 50 years. Change is necessary as it gives knowledge and recognition in turn.
Then why is malpractice still part of electioneering?
Influence of black money will remain universal in India as thievery is inherent in every individual here. You will find every woman possessing gold. Gold is also black money and if you surrender it then only you will come to know how wealthy India is.
What are you expecting from Modi in his second innings?
The manner in which Modi is working in foreign affairs and if he continues to maintain this position then India may emerge as a super power in the world. If he establishes high-tech cities in at least 8-10 metro cities in our country by inviting German, Japanese or French companies for investment then job opportunities will flourish and it will bring money, too.
He will definitely do this in the next five years. He likes Singapore most and wanted to develop some cities of the country on the pattern of Singapore. But, he should be cautious that foreign countries should not invest 100 per cent money in such projects otherwise India may have to face economic slavery once again which the country faced during the days of East India Company.
Can people hope for early solution of core issues?
Ram Mandir is not the issue to be settled in court rather it should be left to the people. If it happens then you will see people making a big Ram temple themselves and voluntarily joining the construction work and contributing the required materials. Kashmir issue is bound to resolve now as Amit Shah has become country’s home minister.
formula is simple that is to eliminate terrorists, to give free hand to the Army for one year and conduct polls there. Everything will be okay and every house will be set in order.
will first bring West Bengal in order. He is not a home minister who works hastily rather he works after considering each and every issue and taking everything into account.
But, people see Modi-Shah ‘hard liners’…
To make a country stronger, such lines are essential. If personal interests are given preference, then we may see side-effects otherwise not. Fall of Indira Gandhi’s political gambit was only due to personal agenda.
Modi with Hitler is propaganda only because divisive or communal and anti-national forces have failed to surface during his first tenure of governance at the centre.
What did the country get in last 70 years as Assam was divided into different parts? Only those elements have been defaming Modi who were instrumental in division of the country.
Do you fully support democracy?
Democratic form of government is good for people, but not for the country. It has spoiled the media sector as it has been used as an instrument of character assassination. It has given rise to the trends of individualism. Sometimes the situation looks out of control.
What about Congress in post-poll scenario?
Rahul Gandhi’s political career seems to have suffered as he failed to maintain the dignity of prime minister’s post by calling PM Modi a thief during the entire campaigning. He doesn’t know skills of oration. He lacks qualities which a leader should have.
It would take a long time for Congress to recover as it doesn’t have leaders. Now nobody will prefer the Gandhi family. The Congress party has once again made Sonia Gandhi as chairman of its parliamentary board. Congress should discover its leader first.
What do you have to say about the rape cases?
Incidents of murder after rape of minor girls across the country reflect the frustration of poor people. It is a psychological disorder, in fact. Capital punishment is not the ultimate solution and its real solution lies in education.
In America you will find a literate person killing so many innocent people in a row with his rifle. In India if a person gets mentally ill they commit crimes like rape-cum-murder, suicide, etc.
Government can eradicate this disease through education. You have to focus on yoga in schools. Unfortunately, on India’s behest over 120 countries adopted yoga, but in India you don’t practice yoga. If yoga can be practiced in Iran then why our schools and colleges have been deprived of it.
What force drives you to Ujjain?
I like Malwa most and use to attend programmes here and there. By promoting youngsters I want to balance things. Becoming a sadhu does not mean to chant god’s name every time and rest daily. Rather our ideology should be percolated among masses.
Through our activities we try to would explore all ways like spirituality, skill development, Vedic education, etc.
To take an individual towards meditation will be our prime focus so that all classes of society should maintain balance. Meditation is the biggest property and it is an ultimate medium to remain in balance all-time.
By NIRUKT BHARGAVA
