"My job is to awaken the feeling of Godliness in humanity."
Raman said, "But let us not forget the poverty of our country and the fact that we rank so low in the community of nations."
Baba replied, "Our miseries are the product of man's selfishness and greed. If we live the life of God, these economical disparities will vanish. If all men decide to help each other, sacrifices will become easier and inequalities of wealth and opportunity will vanish."
"Why don't you break your self-imposed silence and preach in the marketplace?"
"Every great change must be carefully timed. How else could it be with the greatest revolution in the mind of man? The time of preaching in the marketplace too will come, but only after the world has been humbled and purified by a carnage greater than any the world has yet seen!
"For years I have predicted that a war is definite. It will be shorter but far more terrible than the last one, and India will be radically affected, as a result of which social and economic conditions in the country will be revolutionized. The First World War was not enough to bring about a change of heart in man. The world, purged of its pride, will listen to reason only after an even more terrible purgatory.
"I repeat: A global holocaust will engulf the world."
"So that is your opinion?" the journalist asked.
Looking directly at Raman, Baba smiled and spelled out, "My son, I have no opinion to offer. I know!"
The reporter had come to challenge Meher Baba, but left impressed and moved by the depth of feelings and genuine love of the Westerners toward Baba and the mandali. His article appeared in the Evening News on 7 January 1937.
On the night of the 25th of December there was a Christmas dinner. Baba sat in the middle of a long table with the whole group. The Westerners had brought various presents for Baba which they placed before him. Baba's mood was joyful as he unwrapped each present and then redistributed them among the group. Freiny had cooked special vegetarian dishes and for dessert a plum pudding and Christmas cake.
After dinner, Baba asked Kaka to give a short speech in English. Kaka barely knew the language but, nevertheless, bellowed out some short exhortations in broken English, which afforded much amusement to all. Cognizant of the Westerners' habit of arguing, questioning and suggesting, the gist of Kaka's remarks was: "NO SUGGEST! NO DISCUSS! JUST OBEY!"
Everyone chuckled, but Baba said, "Let's see how well you will be able to deliver a speech in Urdu in a few months!"