Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Sunday extended condolences on the death of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who passed away Sunday morning In India.
In an official statement, she noted that Baba was "a cultural and religious icon" in his home country of India and globally.
"Undoubtedly, this Guru’s loss is an irreparable one for the over six million people around the world who followed his teachings and were inspired by his life’s works of charity, devoted care to humankind, dedication and service to God," Persad-Bissessar.
"Hearing of his loss brings sadness to our hearts, but we remain hopeful that his valuable legacy of goodwill will endure in his followers and inspire all persons globally to do similar acts of charity," she added.
"This great Guru had established Sai Baba’s centres in over 114 countries, including our own Trinidad and Tobago, and supported free educational institutions and hospitals in India and abroad.
"In Trinidad and Tobago, Sri Sathya Sai Baba had thousands of devotees who followed his teachings since 1974, when the first Satsang (prayer devotions) was held in this country," the Prime Minister noted.
She said Baba's following in Trinidad and Tobago crossed ethnic and religious lines with "citizens of all different faiths, ethnicities and social barriers gathered at all Satsangs held in his honour for the past 37 years."
She added, "The Sathya Sai Baba Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago had also been responsible for establishing various youth programmes in this country and the wider Caribbean and played an instrumental role in the teaching of human studies.
"Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s teachings were of unity, peace, devotion and faith and his many positive attributes which propelled him to the status of one of the world’s most eminent faith leaders and Good Samaritans will truly be missed.
"On behalf of the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago, I wish to express my deepest condolences to the followers of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
"We pray for his thousands of devotees locally and millions of followers worldwide and for the Government and people of India. We pray that the good Lord bless them all with comfort and strength during this time of grief as we collectively mourn the passing of this great Guru.
Persad-Bissessar said she has instructed the Foreign Affairs Minister "to send official condolences to the Government of India on the passing of Sri Sathya Sai Baba and we shall continue to pray that the Almighty rest his soul in eternal peace."
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