Paripally, Kerala

Amma visited Amrita Children's Home in Paripally, Kerala to celebrate 30 years of caring for the orphanage. A large gathering of alumni was also held to honor the occasion.

“At a time when we witness a deterioration in basic human values, such a get-together would definitely set a good role model for society,” said Amma.

“Good action is always essential for spiritual solace and the unity and friendship among the alumni members can be seen as a divine intervention.”

Valfornace, Italy

The region of Marche in central Italy was battered by a series of strong earthquakes in 2016 that destroyed several cities and villages, including the famous city of Amatrice and the municipality of Valfornace in Macerata province.

The process of rebuilding and the return to a normal life has been slow; the citizens of these areas continue to face ongoing difficulties due to the lack of infrastructure.

“We had one hundred percent of the public facilities destroyed by the earthquake. And now, thanks to Amma and her volunteers, we have a new, splendid, community center,” said Massimo Citracca, the mayor of Valfornace.

Galupa, Australia

She has made it her mission in life: any woman or child of her Indigenous community who needs protection can come and stay with her. Gayili Banduk Marika Yunupingu has opened her door to those who suffer from domestic violence or consider suicide as the only way out.

Galupa is a tract of land along the shore of Gove Peninsula in North East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. It is the traditional homeland of the people of the Yolngu Nation. A mining company once offered Gayili, who is a Gumatj Clan Elder, three million dollars for the property. However, she refused because she considers it a duty to respect and protect her heritage.

Until recently, the only shelter was a tin-plate open shed. Traditional Cultural Practices - an NGO with projects centered on the region’s First Nation People - and Amma Australia partnered to build an insulated and air-conditioned demountable home to protect the residents from the area’s extreme weather.

London, England

Amma received a certificate from Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE), which named Amrita University the number one private institution in India. Duncan Ross, who is the Chief Data Officer with THE, presented the award in London.

“It gives me great pleasure to be able to present this certificate because Amrita University is truly an excellent institution and one of the leading universities in the world,” said Ross.

“What impresses me most about Amrita University under Chancellor Amma’s leadership is the very different way they approach knowledge and learning. They not only say follow us, come to us, but say we will walk with you and work together to bring that knowledge and learning into communities around the world.”

Oban, Scotland

The climate crisis is one of the most urgent issues we face in the modern world, due to the finite time in which we have to solve it and the huge implications if it is not resolved. Amma explains that each one of us can play a role in addressing this issue.

“Let us imagine that a big lake is polluted. We should not become dejected wondering how one person alone can clean it and turn back and give up,” she says.

“We should do what we can. The next person should clean up as much as he or she can. Many people can join in this process, and soon the entire lake will be clean. We should not withdraw but move forward. We should make an effort.”

Wayanad, Kerala

Amma teaches that everyone, whether rich or poor, can make a difference in the lives of others. No selfless gesture is insignificant. The doctors in charge of the Amrita Kripa Charitable Hospital in the district of Wayanad in Kerala are the very embodiments of this spirit.

Dr Sanjeev Vasudevan and Dr Ajitha, a husband-and-wife team, were instrumental in setting up medical services in the area in 2004. The hospital is in Kalpetta, Wayanad’s capital, and is reached by following steep roads that wind through densely forested mountains. Most of the patients are Adivasis, the collective term in India for Indigenous or tribal people.

Amritapuri, Kerala

In the endeavor to offer globally relevant world-class programs across a broad spectrum of disciplines, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and the University of Arizona are embarking on a multidisciplinary partnership in education and research.

In one of the largest ever international university collaborations in India, a Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed by Amma, who is the Chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, and Dr. Liesl Folks, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, University of Arizona.

Saukhyam means happiness and well-being in Sanskrit. We chose that name for our reusable pad project because we believe menstruation has been undervalued and ignored for too long. Women give birth to every human being and menstruation makes that cycle possible. When you switch to reusable pads, you are respecting the environment, celebrating the life cycle and honoring your place in it.

Initially, as part of Amrita SeRVe (Self Reliant Village Project), we set out to design a reusable pad that women in rural India would use to protect their health and hygiene. We ended up creating a pad that’s better for women everywhere. Saukhyam is finding global acceptance and educated, well-informed women are making the switch.

by Benjamin Alcorn, Durga Thakral & Elizabeth Corley with AYUDH Americas

For five days, more than 175 youth from across North, South and Central America met to explore how collective, global peace begins with inner peace for each person. The gathering was for AYUDH Americas’ sixth annual youth summit—the Ripple Effect 2019—which took place this August at MA Center Chicago.

Youth from different walks of life, be it students to young professionals, learned to harness inner strength, self-love and awareness as the first steps in achieving a harmonious community. Their discussions took place with renowned leaders of social change who mentored an emphasis on community, spirituality, service and mindfulness.

Amma’s 66th Birthday Celebrations unfolded in Amritapuri with tens of thousands of devotees and well-wishers from across India and around the world taking part. In the morning, they gathered to hear Amma’s address and participate in meditation and prayers for world peace.

“Nature is everything to us,” Amma said as she emphasized the importance of respecting and protecting the environment. “We are the children of our revered Mother Nature. She only ever had love and compassion for us. We, on the other hand, have just stomped all over her and kicked her in the chest. Now that loving mother has fallen ill and is exhausted.”

Amma also stressed the importance of prioritising spiritual values in life. She said, “If we stop giving moral values the place they deserve, our life will rot away like a log infested with termites. We will lack the courage to face problems in life.