PM Modi honours Sathya Sai Baba’s centenary in Puttaparthi and launches major farmer initiatives in Coimbatore
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his visit on November 19 with a stop in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, where he offered prayers at the holy shrine of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He also paid homage at the mahāsamādhi, reflecting the spiritual significance of the occasion. His visit marked the beginning of the centenary celebrations dedicated to the revered spiritual leader, drawing thousands of devotees to the programme.
Around 10:00 AM, the Prime Minister arrived at the shrine to offer his respects. By 10:30 AM, he joined the centenary celebrations and formally released a commemorative coin along with a set of postal stamps honouring the life, work and teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. During the event, he addressed the gathering and spoke about the global impact of Sathya Sai Baba’s humanitarian efforts, which continue to inspire millions of followers.
PM Modi Reaches Coimbatore for Natural Farming Summit and PM-KISAN Release
After concluding his visit in Andhra Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi travelled to Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu for the South India Natural Farming Summit 2025. The event, held at the CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex, began around 1:30 PM when the Prime Minister inaugurated the summit, which aims to promote natural, chemical-free and regenerative farming practices across South India.
During the programme, he released the 21st instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, amounting to more than ₹18,000 crore. This instalment will benefit approximately 9 crore farmers across the country and marks one of the largest direct transfers made under the scheme. The Prime Minister addressed the participating farmers and experts, stressing the importance of sustainable agriculture and the government’s commitment to improving farmer incomes.
The summit, scheduled from November 19 to 21, brings together farmers, scientists, agricultural experts and practitioners from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry. The gathering serves as a platform to share best practices and strengthen the natural farming movement in the region.
Significance of the Day’s Events
The Prime Minister’s one-day tour reflected a unique blend of spiritual reverence and developmental commitment. His morning visit to Puttaparthi highlighted the cultural and spiritual legacy of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba during the centenary year. In the afternoon, his presence at the Coimbatore summit underscored the government’s focus on sustainable agriculture and large-scale support for farmers through PM-KISAN.
The back-to-back events across two states showcased both the spiritual and economic priorities of the day, reinforcing the government’s efforts to honour cultural icons while advancing farmer welfare and agricultural reform.