A Miracle I Experienced

I am from Andhra Pradesh. My home town is Tenali. But I got settled in Trivandrum from 1972 onwards as I got job in VSSC/ISRO. I have two children, a daughter and son. I worked for 25 years in VSSC and took voluntary retirement. I got a job in Tripoli, Libya as a Professor in Mechanical Engineering in 1997. At the same time we were looking matches for my daughter. As we are from AP, we had to go to Hyderabad for looking matches for my daughter. Since I got the job at Tripoli, my wife had to take my daughter to Hyderabad periodically. I was not a devotee of Shirdi Saibaba during those days. But my wife had belief in him. I came ot India during August 2000 on leave and hoped that I'll be able to find a match for my daughter as getting leave is very difficult. I went back without any success. When I went back one person in Tripoli, an Indian (from AP) gave me Shirdi Sai's photograph. Another Telugu person gave me paraayana book as he was leaving Libya. Since I got the book I started reading it. I got inspiration and started weekly paraayanam following the instruction in the book. I used to get up daily at 4.30 am and do the paraayanam. During November 2000, my daughter's marriage was fixed. I came to know on 9th Nov that the marriage was fixed for 18th Nov. Since I had already went on leave to India, I will not get leave. Also, atleast a months notice is required for getting out of Libya, as all those want to leave Libya must get exit Visa. I did not know what to do. I prayed to Sai. 9 th Nov 2000 was thursday and I came to know the news only in evening. The next day is friday. For Libya, Friday is a holiday and no bank will open and most of the shops will be closed. As the time is short I did not how to get things moving. Just then a friend told me that another Indian form Andhra withdrawn money form bank on thursday. I went asked him to loan me the amount and he readily did give it to me. Next day ie Friday I went to Libyan Airlines Office to book the ticket. Generally on Friday the Libyan Airlines will not open, I thought I'll take a chance. And to my surprise, the office was working. I booked the Ticket. The Airlines booked the Ticket from Tripoli to Dubai, by Libyan airlines. The onward journey from Dubai to Bombay has to be from Emirites. The internet lines are very slow on that day I was told by the airlines the confirmation will take atleast 6 to 7 hours. As we were talking the information arrived and I was given OK ticket. First hurdle was crossed.

The next day I went to Office and applied for 'loss of pay' leave. The office in Libya works from 7.30 am to 2.30 pm and generally our boss will turn up only at 10.00am. But again to my surprise, he was there at 8.00 am. Generally, the organization will not give leave with 6 months of availing. But I got permission. The next hurdle was to get Visa, which generally takes one month. I went to office and requested and they agreed to try and also cautioned me that it may not materialize in time. I put all faith on Saibaba and waited. My ticket was booked for 15th Nov. 2.30pm flight. Till morning 11.00 am I did not get my passport. I almost lost hope of reaching Hyderabad in time. Sai's blessings were with me and I got the possport at 12.00 noon. I could board the flight and reach Dubai. There was another hurdle. I went to confirm my onward journey. But to my dismay, the confirmation sent by Libyan Airlines did not reach Dubai, Emirates and my seat was not booked. As the counter person was telling me that there was no seat in the airlines and I have to wait for next one, the next counter person entered and enquired about the matter and told us just then about 10 seats fell vacant as there were cancellations. I was really happy and reached Hyderabad in time. My daugther who is also a devotee of Sai has faith in Saibaba, finally rewarded her wish.

There are so many coincidences in this episode. I feel that it is only miracle happend that time. It is nothing but Saibaba's blessings.