How did the people of Shirdi feel about Baba's presence, and for how long did they experience it according to this chapter?

Chapter 42 describes the people of Shirdi as "Blessed, blessed" for the time they spent with Sai Baba. It states that they enjoyed the happiness of Baba's company for a very long period, which was filled with extreme joy. The chapter quantifies this duration, mentioning that this joyful period lasted for "more than half a century." This statement underscores the profound and long-lasting positive impact Sai Baba had on the residents of Shirdi, who were fortunate enough to be in his direct presence for over fifty years before he took Mahasamadhi.