In a big boost to proponents of Telangana statehood, Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati backed a separate Telangana on Saturday saying that it was in tune with Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s philosophy of smaller states in the country.

The mortal remains of iconic spiritual guru Sri Satya Sai Baba, who drew millions of devotees from across the world with his magnetic aura and will be remembered for his service to mankind, was laid to rest with full state honours on Wednesday in Prashanti Nilayam.

The mortal remains of Sri Satya Sai Baba will be laid to rest with full state honours at Sai Kulvant Hall in Prasanti Nilayam on Wednesday.
Baba’s last rites will performed between 9 am and 9.30 am as per Hindu rites and caste rituals. He will be buried in the same place where he used to address his devotees and give darshan for so many years. After the burial, a samadhi will be constructed for devotees to pay obeisance.

The many days of uncertainty came to an end on Sunday morning when Satya Sai Baba, who has been battling for his life in a hospital here since March 28, passed away at 7.40 am. He was 84.

Sri Satya Sai Baba had a distinguished collection of devotees.

Sri Satya Sai Baba’s condition worsened on Thursday as his vital organs showed signs of failing for the first time since the 86-year old Baba was admitted to the Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences on March 28.

After a tense couple of days, Sri Satya Sai Baba showed signs of improvement but continued to be on life support systems. “Baba is responding to queries. But due to the ventilator, he could not speak,” said Dr A.N. Safaya, director of Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences in a video bulletin released to the media on Tuesday evening.

The Maharashtra government dropped all cases against Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu and 65 party MLAs before they reached Aurangabad jail and forced them to board a special flight to Hyderabad on Tuesday night.

In a dramatic development, the Maharashtra government dropped all cases against the Telugu Desam Party president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, and 65 party MLAs before they reached Aurangabad jail and forced them to board a special flight to Hyderabad on Tuesday night.