2025 - Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba | Commemorative Coin

A commemorative coin of ₹100 will be issued to mark the Birth Centenary of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The Ministry of Finance has issued the gazette notification on April 22, 2025.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba, one of the most revered spiritual figures of the 20th and early 21st centuries, left an indelible mark on the hearts of millions across the globe. Born as Sathyanarayana Raju on November 23, 1926, in the small village of Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh, India, he was recognized early on for his extraordinary qualities, compassion, and spiritual insight. At the age of 14, he declared himself the reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba, a saint widely worshipped across India, and thus began his mission to guide humanity toward the path of truth, righteousness, peace, love, and non-violence—the five cardinal human values he promoted throughout his life.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba's message transcended the boundaries of religion, caste, and nationality. He consistently emphasized the unity of all faiths, urging people to recognize the universal truth that underlies all religious teachings. His famous saying, “There is only one religion, the religion of Love. There is only one caste, the caste of Humanity. There is only one language, the language of the Heart,” reflects his vision of a harmonious world grounded in love and service. He taught that divinity resides in every individual and that the highest form of worship is selfless service to others.

A significant part of his legacy lies in the monumental humanitarian projects he initiated through the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. These include the establishment of world-class super-specialty hospitals that provide free medical care to all, regardless of their financial status. The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in Puttaparthi and Bengaluru offers complex surgeries and treatments completely free of charge, standing as beacons of compassion in the field of healthcare. Similarly, his educational institutions, including the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, provide value-based education from primary to postgraduate levels, nurturing not only academic excellence but also moral and spiritual development.

Another cornerstone of his service mission was the provision of clean drinking water to millions of people in rural Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. The Sri Sathya Sai Drinking Water Projects brought life-changing relief to drought-prone regions, often succeeding where governmental efforts had failed. These initiatives, carried out silently without fanfare or publicity, were funded entirely by his trust and executed with unwavering dedication.

Throughout his life, Sri Sathya Sai Baba was known for his miracles, which included materializing objects like vibhuti (sacred ash), healing the sick, and reading the minds of his devotees. While some saw these acts as divine manifestations, he himself often downplayed them, emphasizing instead the importance of inner transformation. He would remind followers that miracles were merely "visiting cards" to attract people toward deeper spiritual truths. His presence inspired millions to lead lives of integrity, humility, and devotion.

Prasanthi Nilayam, his main ashram in Puttaparthi, became a spiritual hub where people from all over the world gathered to experience his teachings firsthand. Festivals, spiritual discourses, and service activities drew crowds by the thousands, and the atmosphere was always filled with devotion, peace, and unity. His influence extended far beyond India, with Sathya Sai centers established in more than 100 countries, continuing his mission of love and service to this day.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba attained Mahasamadhi on April 24, 2011, yet his teachings and legacy remain vibrantly alive. His devotees carry forward his work through countless service activities, spiritual study circles, and educational programs across the globe. For those who follow him, he is not merely a guru or teacher but an eternal guide and embodiment of divine love. His life stands as a shining example of what one individual, driven by pure love and unwavering commitment to service, can achieve for the betterment of humanity.