Dear Baba Lovers,

Jai Baba.

Several queries have reached us from western Baba lovers about the advisability of travel to Meherabad in light of the world situation. At this time we are not making a recommendation one way or another. Everyone must evaluate and make their own judgement about their travel plans. If the status of our advice changes, we will inform you through Tavern Talk and also send messages directly to those pilgrims who have reserved to come. To help with your planning, we can supply the following information at this time.

Locally our community remains calm and peaceful . There have been some demonstrations in parts of northern India and we are always aware that travelers in India need to be cautious during times of stress, as violence can break out very suddenly. As a precaution, the Trust has asked our pilgrims from the west to stay out of the bazaar ( the marketplace area of the city) for the past few days.

Several Baba lovers have cancelled their plans to come during September and October. Their decisions may have been due to problems with flights, their wish to remain with their families, or caution about travelling during uncertain times. However most expected pilgrims have arrived on schedule. Since the allied attacks began early this week, many more prospective pilgrims have written to us about their uncertainty about coming in the next few weeks.

The US State Dept. publishes travel advisories for Americans. These advisories are available online at: http://travel.state.gov.

The issue of whether flights will continue to operate in and out of Mumbai is one we look into every day. There have not been many cancelled flights other than in the first week or so after September 11. You will know as much as we do by consulting the airlines yourself. Good luck to everyone who faces this decision in the next weeks.

In Baba's Love,
Irene Holt
Pilgrim Registration Office.

(for Tavern Talk, 12 October, 2001)