Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Feb 23: Thousands of devotees flocked to Amrutha Vidyalaya here on Thursday February 23 to seek blessings from Mata Amritanandamayi popularly called as 'Amma', the 'hugging saint', visited Mangaluru at Brahmastana Mahotsava Amritha Sangama 2017 here at .
Addressing the devotees, Mata Amritanandamayi said, "God is the indivisible power, devoid of all boundaries or separation. Mother nature, the atmosphere, the birds and other animals, plants and trees, each and every atom is overflowing with this divine power. God is fully present in all that is sentient and insentient. When we fully understand this truth, we can do nothing but love ourselves as well as everyone around us.
"The first ripple of love emerges within us. If we are not able to purify the love inherent in us, it will gradually expand to encompass the world. Today mankind has become a walking disaster. Natural disasters may not be under our control, but we do have some technology that can signal us as they are approaching. However, science is yet not able to invent a device that can detect the disasters man carries in his mind.
"The solution to most of the problems faced by the world is value-based education. It has to be given to children at a young age itself. Education should be that which imparts the light of culture through word, thought action and perspective. It should make us aware of the oneness of all beings in creation," she said.
Mata Amritanandamayi provided Rs 1 lac to 30 students for the purpose of education and pension to 14 deprived and differently-abled beneficiaries. Wheelchairs were provided to 5 beneficiaries. Ayush Kit was provided for 30 beneficiaries.
Minister for state for Ayush Sripad Yesso Naik said, "People gathered here are fortunate to be able to closely witness Amma in Mangaluru. Amma has come all the way to bless the devotees. Mata Amritanandamayi Math is well-known all over the country and the world for its service. Amma has always strived to bring society into the right path and guide it forward in terms of spirituality.
"She has always uplifted the deprived and conducted various programme and introduced schemes for the needy. She is always known for providing education and construct houses for the homeless without any barrier of religion. Amma has worked towards eliminating poverty and through her, nearly 1 crore people have been provided with basic amenities. I am really happy to be part of the programme and seek blessings of Amma," he said.
Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty said, "A new society can be formed only when every individual contributes in building the country. We have already witnessed Amma helping the lesser previliged beneficiaries. Her only intention is to do good for the people and the society.
"When natural disaster occurs, be it tsunami or flood, Amma takes up the initiative of helping the people, and at the same time, she has inspired many. Amma came from a backward family not knowing any language except Malayalam, and yet, she is able to gain all the love and respect from across the globe, not by her speech but through the service she has rendered over the years," Shetty said.
The programme started with an invocation by Priyanka.
President of Mata Amritanandamayi Seva Samithi Shruthi S Hegde welcomed the gathering. Sanath Hegde proposed vote of thanks.
Minister for food and civil supplies Ramanath Rai, MLA J R Lobo, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, mayor Harinath, former minister Krishna J Palemaar and others were present.