AMRITAPURI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the life and humanitarian service of Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi , describing her as a source of support for people facing suffering and hardship during her 73rd birthday celebrations at Amritapuri.
Addressing the gathering, Shah said people from different walks of life may hold different responsibilities, but when they come before Amma, they come simply as human beings. He said the affection and emotional bond people share with her resembles the relationship between a child and a mother.
According to Shah, love, empathy and compassion bring people together in Amma’s presence. He said one of the key messages from her life is the importance of understanding the suffering of others.
He described Amma’s life as an example of selfless service and said her birthday should be observed as a day dedicated to service to humanity.
From Service to a Global Humanitarian Movement
Shah highlighted the humanitarian initiatives associated with Mata Amritanandamayi Math, including assistance provided during disasters across India.
He recalled the construction of homes for around 1,000 families following the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, under Amma’s leadership. He also referred to educational initiatives, including Amrita Vidyalayams.
Shah said Amma has presented the service-oriented dimension of Hindu thought on various platforms and noted that her humanitarian activities have received international recognition.
The 73rd birthday celebrations are being observed as Vishwa Seva Dinam, with the focus shifted towards humanitarian service and new welfare initiatives. The official programme lists healthcare, women’s empowerment, disaster relief, support for bereaved families, mass weddings and other initiatives.
₹20 Crore Healthcare Initiative
As part of the celebrations, ₹20 crore has been allocated for 500 free surgeries, including cardiac surgeries, organ transplants and paediatric cardiac care at Amrita Hospitals.
The wider 2026 humanitarian initiatives announced by the Math include ₹30 crore for women and community support, taking the value of the listed major initiatives to ₹50 crore, alongside other relief and welfare measures.
Financial assistance of ₹2 crore for Assam flood relief is also part of the programme. The official schedule includes assistance for families who lost members in disasters and for fishermen’s bereaved families.
The celebrations are being held at the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham campus in Amritapuri on September 26 and 27. Amit Shah is scheduled to inaugurate the public programme on September 26, while Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan will attend the formal birthday programme on September 27.
The Amritakeerti Award 2026 was presented to former governor, senior advocate and author P. S. Sreedharan Pillai during the celebrations.
The two-day programme includes spiritual gatherings, prayers for world peace, bhajans, humanitarian announcements, welfare assistance and mass weddings, under the broader theme of turning Amma’s birthday into a day of service.
