There is a lot to cheer for the devotees of Sathya Sai Baba as the latest medical bulletin stated that the doctors would now start giving him liquid food and he would be fed from the mouth.
The statement issued by Dr Safaya, the director of the hospital where Baba is being treated, also mentioned that the dialysis would now be stopped.
This medical bulletin came as a huge relief for all the devotees in both Puttaparthi and Whitefield (in Bengaluru), who have spent many anxious moments since the past week awaiting better news of Baba's health condition.
A devotee in Whitefield said that they are very happy that Baba's health was showing signs of improvement.
"He has battled it out once again and will live on till the age of 96. However, it would have been really nice if the doctors would make at least one photograph of Baba available to all his devotees," he said.
As per the prophecy, his devotees believe that Baba would live till the age of 96 following which he will be reincarnated as Prema Sai Baba, who would be born in a small village in Karnataka.
Geeta Reddy, minister in the Andhra Pradesh government and an ardent devotee of Sai Baba who has been camping inside the hospital, said that they are hopeful that Baba would give a darshan to all his devotees in the next two days.
Meanwhile, the issue of succession continues to be a matter of concern. The trustees, the state government, family members and the devotees continue to show concern about the future of the Rs 40,000 crore-Sathya Sai Baba Trust based in Puttaparthi, Whitefield and many other places.
A source said that Baba will always continue to be the chairman of the trust, but at this moment there has to be a lot of clarity regarding the management of the trust.
The Andhra Pradesh government has made it clear that it would only oversee the process of a proper takeover, and that the trustees would have to decide about who would manage the affairs.
Baba may not be able to have absolute control over the trust, given his heath condition. The Union government too has shown an interest in this subject and could be sending its representatives to discuss this issue.
The government has sought a minute-to-minute update on the happenings at Puttaparthi and would play a vital role in ensuring a smooth takeover of the trust.
The last thing that both the government as well the devotees want is a fight breaking out between the trustees headed by Chakravarthi, and the family members headed by Baba's nephew Ratnakar, for control of the Sai Baba Trust.
