Dressed in saffron robe and sporting long hair, he comes across as a sadhu but what differentiates him from others is the fact that Aji Sebastian is a Catholic priest and has donned this look to promote the "Indian Christian identity."A pass-out of the CMC Seminary, Sebastian, who hails from Kerala, has now become an Ayurvedic medic, yoga instructor and teacher for the Fazirpur Kadia village in Faridabad district of Haryana.Known as the 'Isai Baba' (Christian sadhu), he says, "The saffron dress helps me to connect with people easily as they regard me as a religious person after seeing my robe.”The popularity of the Isai Baba is such that the villagers even have set up an 'ashram' for him. "It is an old village Panchayat building, which has now been refurbished into an ashram or what I would call a local hospital," says Sebastian.He says that several people visit to his ashram daily, many of them, however, come for the Ayurvedic medicines that he gives out.Sebastian says that he does not preach the gospel and believes it is only his work that matter. "People know me as an Isai baba and they respect me for that. I tell them that their body is the temple of god just like what the Bible says, but I don't preach the gospel as a whole. I prefer my way of life to be a role model for others," he says while attending a Christmas celebration at a seminary run by Mathoma Syrian Church in the village.About his practice of teaching Yoga to the villagers, Sebastian says, "Yoga is about meditation. It relaxes one's body and I have been doing it for many years. Teaching Yoga has nothing to do with being a Hindu or a Christian."He adds, "I am least bothered about structural formations of religion. What I follow probably is the Indian Christian way."Sebastian, who also sponsors education for children in the village, says he has been able to send 112 students to schools and their fees are being paid by the ashram through the farming that he does.The 'baba' also visits Hindu pilgrimage sites to interact with sadhus to enhance his knowledge of Ayurvedic medicines."I keep going out to Hindu pilgrimage places like Badrinath where I barter my knowledge with other's knowledge. It works perfectly for me," he says.Being a revered personality for the villagers, the Baba is invited by one and all in the area at their time of joy and sorrow."I feel good that irrespective of religion, people call on me whenever there is a celebration or mourning," he says.He adds, "One reason probably why they do it is that my ashram doors are never shut. Anyone can walk in at any time of the day or night. If hungry, they would be offered whatever is available at that time."
