Sai Mahabhakta Late Shri.Tukaram Raghoji alias Shri.Appasaheb Bapurao Borawake's name finds a mention in "Shri Sai The Superman" authored by Swami Sai Sharan Anand and published by Shri Sai Baba Sansthan. His name also finds a mention in Shri Sai Leela Magazine published by Shri Sai Baba Sansthan.

He was born in the year 1901 in Sasawad. He completed his elementary education in Sasawad.

Shri.Bapurao Borawake came to Shirdi during 1920-21 for the first time on foot with only three annas in his pocket, but earned lakhs of Rupees through Shri Sai Baba’s grace.

Borawake had lost his parents when he was almost an infant; and taking advantage of his age, his relatives squandered away his ancestral property with the result that Bapurao was forced to look up for a job so soon as he had gone upto the entrance (SSC) class.

The only relative he had was his maternal uncle, a devotee of Sai Baba at Shirdi. So he went upto Kopergaon by train but the funds that he had, had run out and with only three annas balance in his pocket he could not get a seat on the tanga. Hence, he went to Shirdi on foot and paid his respects to Baba. He was well received by his maternal uncle. So he stayed with him looking after his sugar crop improved so much that the neighbouring field owner took Borawake into partnership.

Borawake now looked after both the fields. Next few years they got bumper sugar candy crops. The prices also went up considerably and so within two years Bapurao made a lakh of Rupees. He realised that, all that was due to Shri Baba’s grace and so purchasing a piece of land at Shirdi he now grew Oranges, Mosambi in it in large quantities using new Canal irrigation technique, Built a bungalow for himself and settled down there to be able to pay his respects to Baba everyday (Ref:Shri Sai The Superman).

During Shri Rama Navami Festival in the year 1930, the wrestling show was a big success. Reason behind it was that Bapurao Raghoji Borawake, Tatya Ganpati Patil, Vaman Manku, Ramchandradada, Bayaji Sakharam along with some other villagers helped to resolve the differences and got all the villagers together. With Baba's Grace, the festival was a huge success. This information has been disclosed by Late Shri.Das Ganu Maharaj in his Shri Rama Navami, 1930 festival report published in Shri Sai Leela Magazine (Ref:Shri Sai Leela Magazine, March-April 2011).

Appasaheb Bapurao Borawake and his Wife

During the period 1950-1954, he concentrated solely on cultivation of Mosambi fruit and created a record in whole Asian continent for growing highest yield of Mosambi. Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and Mumbai State Chief Minister Shri.Morarji Desai personally visited his field and were surprised to see his achievement. Also, during the World Agriculture Summit held at New Delhi in the year 1955-56, his stall was center of attraction and he bagged first prize in fruits category.

Shri.Bapurao Borawake also worked as Trustee of Shri Sai Baba Sansthan for some years.

Shri.Bapurao Borawake passed away on 1st April 1988 in Shirdi. He was 87 year old at the time of demise.

Even today, we are reminded of Shri Sai Baba's powerful grace when we see this bungalow with his fruit garden on the way to Rahata a Few Furlongs from Shirdi.

Right from the beginning of his arrial in Shirdi, Shri.Borawake used to offer Rose Flower from his farm to Shri Sai Baba's Samadhi and Abdul Baba's Samadhi in Shirdi. This ritual he did for almost 45 years. He also attended the morning Kakad Aarti and Evening Dhoop Aarti regularly without fail.

Even to this day, everyday at 10 am the descendants of Late Shri.Bapurao Borawake offer flowers from their farm to Shri Sai Baba's Samadhi and Abdul Baba's Samadhi in Shirdi.

(Source: Shri Sai The Superman by Shri Swami Sai Sharananad, Shri Sai Leela Magazine, 1988 and March, April 2011 Issues. Photo Courtesy: Shri.Jignesh C.Rajput, Surat)