IN ME MEMORIAM- SRI AJIT HAKSAR.

[Guest guest]

IN MEMORIAM - SRI AJIT HAKSAR – An Exceptional Devotee

Sri Ajit Haksar’s Attainments

Sri Ajit Haksar was a giant in the arena of Indian industry, prolific in his

attainments in the business world. He was the President of the Bengal Chamber

of Commerce and Industries; President of the Associate Chamber of Commerce and

Industries for India; Chairman of the Indian Institute of Technology; member of

the board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India; member of the board of

Governors of the Indian Institute of Management and ten other such prestigious

positions.

But more importantly, Sri Ajit Haksar was a longtime devotee of Bhagwan Baba,

highly respected and appreciated in the Sai family.

It was at Imperial Tobacco Company where he made his lasting mark in the

business world, serving as Chairman there for 14 years, transforming that

company into 'ITC', a world class enterprise, synonymous with a multitude of

commodities. He was also prominent in facilitating the entrance of the Suzuki

car manufacturer into the Indian market, under the Maruti label.

 

His Journey to Sai

Truly, Sri Haksar was a professional par excellence in his field. But when did

he first come to Swami? How did that happen?

We tell you the story of his journey to Swami in His own words from his book

“Sai Baba - Manager Divine”. He says,

“On the suggestion of my sister-in-law, we went on a pilgrimage in January 1973

to Shirdi, as a thanksgiving following our daughter's wedding. On returning

from our visit to the shrine of Shirdi Sai Baba, I opened my book to read on

the flight from Bombay to Delhi, to find an inland aerogramme typed letter

signed (if my memory serves me right) by a "well-wisher", thanking us for the

visit and with a prayer that we receive the blessings of Shirdi Baba. The

source and reason of the letter were puzzling but it was soon forgotten.

In June 1973, while we were in Bombay again, my wife suddenly took ill, in her

weakened condition had a bad fall, suffered serious injuries and was admitted

to the Breach Candy Hospital where she stayed for over three weeks. While she

was at the hospital, somebody she did not know, whose name she still does not

know or recall, came to her room to inquire how she was and gave her a copy of

Howard Murphet's 'Sai Baba—Man of Miracles', saying she should read it as it

would give her comfort.”

The Divine Effect

Over the next few years through books and meeting Sai devotees the impulse to

see Swami grew. This was realized in 1981, when he and his wife were blessed

with an interview,

“The exhilaration of being with Sai Baba and feeling His aura is indescribable”

he recalls. “Since 1981, at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan Baba, I have had more to

witness and learn than in the three previous decades as a manager—learning with

deeper understanding about life, living, working, and people seen alike as

human beings.

Had I had the good fortune earlier than I did to sit at His Lotus Feet, there is

much in my working life that I would have done differently. It would have been

more self-fulfilling and satisfying. Sai Baba, pointing out that God has given

human beings a mind, unlike animals, lays great stress on having an enquiring

mind and asking questions as the best way of self-learning and developing a

sense of discrimination.”

In Service of the Lord

Moving on, Swami invited him in 1986 to help in the setting up of the Institute

MBA Programme which began that year and he served on the MBA Board of Studies

where his business acumen was greatly prized. Often Swami would ask him to

deliver lectures at the Summer Course for students and one of those fortunate

to be present remembers how Sri Haksar captured all those assembled in

admiration of his charismatic personality and powerful presence.

Eulogy from Colleagues

Later, Bhagavan appointed him to the committee overseeing the Sai International

Centre in Delhi. In their tribute to him when he passed away recently, the

other committee members said,

“His contribution in the Seva, spiritual and educational activities of Sri

Sathya Sai Baba's movement has been of an exceptional order. His role in the

Committee appointed by Sai Baba to develop the Sai International Centre as a

global centre for Human Values will stay as the crown jewel in his long and

brilliant career.

As a colleague, he was a pillar of strength with unflinching adherence to our

heritage 'Satyam Vada Dharmam Chara'. We,the Committee avoided taking any major

decision without his presence in our midst because his inputs were always based

on the highest moral values. We will miss his wisdom, his clarity of mind and

above all his insistence that all our actions must be worthy of our great

heritage. His near and dear ones, friends and colleagues would do well to

cherish Ajit as their role model, be it at work or at play.”

 

His Personal Feelings

Let's listen to Sri Haksar describing his feelings for Swami so beautifully in

his book where he says:

“We have been beneficiaries of His healing touch. We have been recipients of

His kindness. We have been witnesses of His miracles. But, none of these

compare with the power, wonder and the glory of His love. Every visit to

Brindavan and Prashanti Nilayam recharges our batteries, with a yearning to

receive Baba's Darshan if the gap between one visit and another gets prolonged.

The first sight of Baba, as He comes out of the mandir to give Darshan,

instantly raises the spirit, fills the being with joy and creates a sense of

euphoria.

Seeing Him move with the tune and play the cymbals with perfection when Bhajans

are being sung is pure enchantment; to hear Him lead and sing Bhajans is to be

transported into ecstasy by the resounding vibrations that bring tears to the

eyes and goose-pimples on the skin. The slight touch of His hand over the head

to bless is like a spark of bliss going through one's whole body. The degree of

the majesty of all this is indescribable, and what is indescribable, has to be

personally experienced. Baba says: ‘Come, see, feel, experience.’”

Let the memory of this great soul inspire us to improve ourselves to be an

effective instrument in His hands.

- The Heart2Heart Team.

(Sharing with Sai Love) Ram.ChuganiRam ChuganiKobe, Japanrgcjp

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