Our dear worldwide Baba-family, Jai Meher Baba!

It is with a sad heart that I am writing to you about the latest circumstances surrounding our efforts to save Baba's Home, Meherazad. As most of you are aware, we have been fighting diligently and wholeheartedly for the last three years to stop Baba's beautiful Meherazad Approach Road from becoming a public thoroughfare and to preserve Meherazad from the noise and pollution that would undoubtedly affect its uniquely serene atmosphere if a vehicular thoroughfare was allowed to go directly through its sacred grounds.

Unfortunately, three years of concentrated effort to try and give the farmers a reasonable alternative parallel road, the Nul Pat, at a little distance away from the Approach Road, resulted in nothing but increasing aggression from the farmers and politicians. Not only were we forced to agree to the demands of a road adjacent to our Meherazad property, but have had to purchase the land and yet not claim ownership of it, giving the ownership to the village Panchayat, its governing body.

But, as Baba so often would remind us, "Man proposes and God disposes." Although legally the Tesildar's order (In India the Tesildar is like a Magistrate of the government) dated...was in our favor, stating that since there was already a dirt road /pathway through our neighbor's fields which the villagers living along the approach road have been using for years to reach Pimpalgaon-Malvi village, and because Gat # 472 known as Meherazad is a privately owned property since 1944, the farmers and villagers do not have the right of access through our property. We were so relieved when this government order was passed, as we mistakenly thought that it would bring an end to our difficulties. And, with that thought in mind, we shared this good news with you all, our dear Baba family.

However, soon we came to realize how naïve we were to think that this government order would resolve such a contentious issue with the farmers. Uncompromising political pressure and public pressure from the villagers to create a road on our property or immediately adjacent to it came to an ugly head with threats of violence if we did not give way to their demands; the gates of Meherazad would be broken and the sanctity of Meher Baba's Home would be subjected to the onslaught of the villagers wrath.

Although it is extremely painful for us to witness what we feel is a desecration to the sanctity, beauty and serenity of Meher Baba's home, as His lovers, it behooves us to bow our heads and remain resigned to His Will. It seems there are forces at work beyond our control. We have spared no efforts to protect Meherazad, but now it is in His hands.

We are negotiating with the owners of the adjoining lands to acquire some lands so that the road which is now adjacent to our property can be at a little further distance. We hope, in His perfect timing, our efforts will come to fruition. We will also continue to pursue the creation of a permanent road, the nul pat, which would, ultimately, not only be more beneficial to the villagers, but would take the road further away from Meherazad. Until then, we must trust in His greater purpose for this present outcome.

Please accept our heartfelt thanks for all your loving support.

In His Love and Service,
Shridhar Kelkar
Chairman