In Centers all over the world, big and small, Baba's birthday that year was observed with a grandeur and pomp never seen before. His lovers and devotees had not yet received the circular of 4 March about Baba extending his seclusion, and everywhere there was much discussion about the something unprecedented that was to happen. Several newspapers printed articles about the alarming announcements. In some cities in India, the articles created a sensation with startling headlines such as "Calamity Date Postponed" and "Coming Catastrophe!" In this way, the public's attention was drawn to Meher Baba. This is what Baba had wanted
A lover from Jabalpur wrote to Bhau asking if, in his speech before a public gathering on Baba's birthday, he should mention what Baba had declared, Bhau wrote back saying it was not necessary to say anything about it. When Baba was informed of this, he was displeased by Bhau's answer and instructed him to write again, informing the man that he should definitely mention that "something which had never happened before was about to happen!"
Normally, when such matters are sensationalized and nothing occurs, the result is an unfavorable reaction. But in this case, the public longed all the more for Meher Baba's darshan! With lovers of God it is different, as their love is not dependent on any changing circumstance or utterances from the Divine Master. But here, the public was involved. Yet, people interested in Baba wrote letters that were received at Meherazad, even when the "great event" had not yet taken place.
This was typical of such things that had happened since the beginning of Baba's advent. Baba would make public pronouncements, and the results would always prove favorable, even when what he had declared would happen, apparently did not happen. In 1932, for example, in Los Angeles he announced he would break his silence at the Hollywood Bowl. When elaborate arrangements were made to broadcast his first words over the radio throughout America, Baba quietly departed for India via Hawaii and China. It would be natural for this to create a contrary impression among the public; but generally, it was found that more people came to know of him, and were eager to meet him.
As Age noted, "Only the Avatar could do such things, as the pulse of the entire universe is in his hands and it beats according to his wish."
During this period, a young couple named Peter and Victoria Walker had been hitchhiking in India, and they arrived in Ahmednagar around Baba's birthday. They were accommodated at Viloo Villa. Peter, 26, was British and Victoria, 23, was American. They had heard of Baba in England from two young Baba lovers Mike and Kate McInnerney. Both wanted to travel, so they had journeyed overland to India. When they arrived in India, they wrote and asked if they could see Baba. Adi replied to them, clearly stating that Baba was in seclusion and seeing no one. Adi wrote that he had told Baba they had written, and that Baba had said to tell them that he loved them and that they should return to America and urge people to stop using drugs.
