Chapter 36: Interested In Remaining Disinterested
1961Page 4,775 of 5,444
On Sunday morning, 1 October 1961, Habib Qawaal came to Meherazad at 9:00 A.M. and sang before Baba. Baba enjoyed his performance. A few persons from Ahmednagar had been called, as well as Meherwan Jessawala, who arrived that day from Poona and stayed overnight at Meherazad.
Although Baba was in seclusion in Meherazad during the month of October, besides the singers he would occasionally call someone on specific work or for a casual visit. On 2 October, Goher's sister, Katie, was allowed to visit for the day from Bombay. The following day, Baba was driven with the women to the Pimpalgaon water pumping station, where he strolled about under the tall trees. Some mornings around eleven o'clock, Baba would take a walk on the Meherazad approach road as far as the huge mango tree.
As instructed, Rano began preparing a chart at this time titled "The Four Journeys."
Although all correspondence had been stopped, still people from all over the world would write to Adi. He would forward their letters to Meherazad, whereupon Mani and Eruch were told to reply to them.
Olivia Maugham of New York had met Baba in Myrtle Beach in 1958. On 19 October 1961, she telephoned Adi to say that she and her husband were in Bombay on their way to Lebanon, and she wished to see Baba. Adi sent the message to Meherazad, but Baba's reply was that it was not possible because of his seclusion.
"Baba sends his love and blessings to you," Olivia was informed, "along with his assurance that he is with you."
Savak Kotwal, a night watchman for Baba for many years, had been living with his family in Bombay since Baba returned from America and Australia in 1958. Savak's health had deteriorated and he had no job. It became increasingly difficult for him to maintain his wife Nergiz and son Adi. Nergiz became desperate and pleaded with Savak that he should commit suicide along with her.
The day when both had decided to take this drastic step, a letter arrived from Adi, saying Baba had been inquiring about their condition. Nergiz wrote everything in detail, and Adi sent them Rs.100, informing them that Baba was in seclusion and could not be disturbed at present. After a few days, Baba called Savak to Meherazad and had him disclose his troubles. Baba assured him not to worry and gave him Rs.20. Savak returned to Bombay, where his son soon after got a good job, paying him Rs.300 per month.