Nonny, Rano and Ruano, who had been told to come to India for Baba's birthday, were cabled at this time not to come. Instead, Baba was planning to go to Madras for the occasion.
On 28 January 1934, Freiny Masi arrived suddenly with her son Keki. She was suffering from cancer and was depressed about her condition. She begged Baba to keep her in the ashram. Adi Sr. drove them to Khushru Quarters and Daulatmai was informed in Nasik. While returning, Adi brought Rusi Pop's daughters Silla, Goher and Katie to Meherabad to see Baba. Rusi Pop, Sarosh and Viloo came the following day.
Baba visited Arangaon several times in January and, as usual, settled the villagers' cantankerous disputes. He also visited the construction site there of Maruti Patil's new residence. Once a week, he would go to Sarosh Cinema to see a film.
Every day that month in Meherabad, Baba would take part with the mandali in a game of cricket. But on the 30th, a stray ball hit him in the chest and Nilu treated him. On 2 February, Baba played cricket at five in the afternoon and then went with eleven of the mandali to Sarosh Cinema, where he saw 20,000 Years in Sing Sing , with Spencer Tracy and Bette Davis (which he liked very much), and a Fatty Arbuckle comedy, Buzzin' Around .1
A Western doctor named Dr. Denning and his wife, along with an Indian doctor, Dr. Kharalkar, and a reporter from the Times of India , had come to Meherabad on 27 January and requested a donation for a free clinic they were running to feed infants. Baba agreed to send Rs.25 per month to support their efforts, and they left highly gratified.
On Saturday, 3 February 1934, Baba went to their institution, the American Mission Baba (Children's) Welfare Association, with Adi Sr., Vishnu and Nilu. He was given a tour and saw the infants being bathed and fed. Baba was garlanded and his photograph with the children was taken.
Baba then visited Rusi Pop and Khorshed's house. Dixit of Kolhapur saw Baba that day also. The next day, Jalbhai brought a young dancer from a nearby village. He danced well as Adi Sr. played the harmonium and Adi Jr. the tabla. But Baba did not keep him and had him driven back to his village.
Footnotes
- 1.During his visit to New York in 1931, Baba had asked to be driven outside Sing Sing Prison, where he said he contacted one of his agents who was locked up inside.