Supernatural power usually means, power which is not possessed through any technical or scientific means but one that baffles ordinary people and is hard to explain scientifically. However, research in ‘Parasychology’ has led to the acceptance of the ‘supernatural’ power that some human beings possess.
Before I narrate my tryst with the ‘supernatural’ it would be interesting to note that, Parasychology is a field of study concerned with the investigation of paranormal phenomenon and is gaining momentum in the USA and UK.
Parapsychologists study telepathy, precognition, clairvoyance, near-death experiences, reincarnation, apparitional experiences, and other paranormal claims. Interestingly, the University of Arizona’s Veritas Laboratory conducts laboratory investigations of mediums. Several private institutions, including the Institute of Noetic Sciences, conduct and promote parapsychological research. Of all the nations, the United Kingdom has the largest number of active parapsychologists. UK researchers work in conventional psychology departments on the supernatural power of human beings. (Source: Wikipedia)
It is a known fact that such ‘Mediums’ as people with this extra power, are known to have the ability to sense and communicate with beings and energies in other dimensions. They are receptive and sensitive to feelings, emotions and communications from others and therefore have experiences that are considered to be paranormal.
I wish to narrate some of my true life experiences where perhaps, I’ve played the role of a ‘Medium’, without knowing that. Maybe, my very thinking on that line is wrong. But certain things did happen and some veterans did mention to me that I possess the attributes of a medium. They also cautioned me that I should not disclose it to anyone. The fact is, I am a sincere devotee of Lord Venkateshwara. I had tried to save some situations, consciously, praying to Lord Balaji on the spot and things happened for everyone to see and that is what made others to say that I am a ‘Medium’. How all these things started and why I decided to withdraw from using it, after an incident, is the story which I am set to narrate here. And it is upto you to draw conclusions.
Dr SB Mujumdar is known for the care and welfare of international students. In fact, the origin of the renowned Symbiosis Institutions and Colleges under Symbiosis International University can be traced to Symbiosis International Students Centre of which I was the Rector. The International students therefore decided to celebrate his birthday, the 31st July, as the International Students Day and that is still being followed religiously. On this day, at 7.30 am, the international students from the entire Pune city assembled to host their national flags, sing their national anthem and seek the blessings of their beloved God Father. On that day too they had assembled notwithstanding the heavy rain.
Dr. Mujumdar though had not arrived. I called him up but he wondered how we would conduct the function in the heavy rain. I told him, ‘‘Sir, all the International Students have already come. You too should come immediately. Rest we will see.” Mujumdar agreed and arrived in his trademark white coloured Ambassador car. It was still raining heavily. I did not know what to do. I told him to be in the car. I then stood in the rain and raised my hand up and prayed to Lord Balaji to stop the rain. Suddenly, the downpour which seemed relentless, stopped. I turned towards Mujumdar and said, “Sir, we have one hour to finish this function, as the rain is going to resume thereafter.’’ Sure enough, much to everyone’s amazement, the function got over smoothly; the foreign students were able to proudly parade with their respective national flags and then the rain resumed.
It was this incident which was in Mujumdar’s mind that made him say not to bother about the rain during the visit of the then Prime Minister – I. K. Gujral. The rain did visit, I did pray and the rain did stop. Incidentally, it was in this function, I was felicitated by the Prime Minister on the grant of the rank of Honorary Colonel in the Regular Army. Until then those from other ranks could reach out to the rank of Honorary Captain only. I was the first, and till date no one else has got such a coveted rank. To properly understand and appreciate this recognition, I should recall that much later, great cricketers like Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni were granted the Honorary Rank of Lieutenant Colonel (one rank below Colonel) in the Territorial Army. Bharat Ratna awardee, Sachin Tendulkar, got the honorary rank of Group Captain (equivalent to a Colonel) in the Air Force. Olympian Abhinav Bindra too got the rank of Lt Col.
The miracles that I had witnessed are many. So I invited many religious-minded people to seek clarifications and advice. One amongst them was Dr Dey, who was an eminent ‘Statistics’ professor of XLRI and later the Director of Tata Management Training Centre (TMTC). He told me “you are a ‘Medium.” Dr SW Deshpande, who was the Dean of the Department of Psychology, University of Pune too said the same. This message spread like wildfire amongst the students of Sri Balaji Society
Another incident occurred when I had just launched my Indian Institute of Modern Management (IIMM). Mr JP Gupta was kind enough to spare me the premises of the Agresan School. I am ever indebted to him. One day, I came to know that he is hospitalised and is very critical. In fact, his family members and relatives had been called over as the doctors had given an hour or so for him to live. I rushed to the hospital to see him. When I reached him, I started praying – it was an emotional outburst. I kept my hand over him and prayed for five minutes, asking God to let his life be here, on this earth. In fact, it was a direct fight with Lord Balaji. After five minutes I felt good. The Lord gave me positive vibrations. When I came out, I told his wife, who was crying, not to worry and that he will soon go back, on his own feet. I said the same thing to the doctor who just smiled. When I came to the school campus, I found that the black board had been kept out for announcing a holiday for the next day, due to the news of Mr Gupta’s impending death. He miraculously recovered and I went to see him the next day. As I reached there people fell at my feet crying, “Swamiji, Swamiji… this is the Swamiji who came and did the miracle”. My white beard coupled with my prayers in front of them and the recovery despite the doctor’s deadline made them feel so. Mr Gupta did return home, well recovered. He passed away after six months.
In August 2007, one of the former students of Sri Balaji Society met with an accident and was battling for life in Pune’s Jehangir Hospital. Another girl student and her husband who were also victims of the same accident were safe, but in the same hospital. When I arrived in the hospital, she pleaded to me to save her friend and said that if I pray, then he would surely be saved. I entered the ICU where he was admitted and earnestly prayed. However, it did not work. He passed away soon. He was Faseem Gafoor, once the President of the Students’ Council of IIMM (now BIMM). He was a gem of a human being and a very dynamic boy in the role of the President. This failure of mine, wrenched my heart and his death still saddens me.
Ever since, I do not use my powers of a ‘Medium.’ I am at a loss as to why such a selfless, gentle and dynamic young boy like Faseem, who was also doing remarkably well in his career as Manager in LG, should have been snatched off so cruelly. I am sometimes angry with God and do not have the heart to use his divine intervention, anymore.
Yet, Lord Balaji has always stood by me. Otherwise, how do I justify my starting Sri Balaji Society with so many institutes, colleges, infrastructure and more than 10,000 well placed alumni? And, the investment for this big project was five inland letters which I had sent to Army Commanders announcing the birth of Sri Balaji Society. What is more, my friend Faseem Gafoor is also standing with my Lord, ensuring the unabated blessings for us.
Dr (Col.) A. Balasubramanian
editor-in-chief
