INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM

“You are all blessed because you are constantly showered with the blessings of Amma. Her divine mission should be your inspiration to make right use of life and add value to society.”

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India, talking to students of Amrita University

“I feel it’s a great honour to share a platform with a woman who is so remarkable, and who is the very embodiment of goodness. She believes that God does not discriminate between the sexes, and I believe she stands here in front of us, God’s love in a human body.”

Dr. Jane Goodall, world-renowned British primatologist and recipient of the 2001 Gandhi-King Award for Non-violence

“The world today needs proof that our human values are useful, that such qualities as compassion, selflessness, renunciation and humility have the power to create a great and prosperous society. Amma’s work provides us with the much-needed proof.”

Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India, speaking at the inauguration of AIMS, Amma’s charitable hospital

“What I cherish most about Amma is that she not only talks the talk, and is an embodiment of unconditional love, but she expresses that love in action. She walks the talk! Amma is the change she wishes to see in our world.” 

Ms. Yolanda King, Director, Martin Luther King Jr. Center , USA, speaking at Amritavarsham50

“The principles that Amma teaches can be applied in all countries. With her embrace she is bringing solace to multitudes of people everywhere.”

Mrs. Riitta Uosukainen, Finnish Councillor of State

“Amma, your embrace has become a worldwide treasure sought by princes and peasants, women and men, babies and frail elderly. Your embrace is not just to comfort the suffering, but is a gift of strength and spiritual energy to all who work to embrace the world-the world of work, the world of government, and the world of family.”

Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, former Executive Director of the United States Office of the World Council of Churches

UN Partnership

UN Grants Special Consultative Status to M. A. Math

On July 24, 2005, the United Nations announced the distinguished award of Special UN consultative status to Mata Amritanandamayi Math (M.A. Math), a leader in tsunami relief efforts and humanitarian activities in India. The Math is among 30 Indian NGO’s to ever receive formal UN affiliation in India. This important partnership will provide opportunities for joint collaboration, most notably in disaster relief efforts and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, Vice Chairman of Mata Amritanandayami Math, stated, “The plight of the tsunami victims has touched us all. M.A. Math was immediately able to deliver relief to the tsunami victims, and has a leading role in the relief efforts in India. The United Nations, along with many other organizations and NGOs, has also provided tremendous support in Indonesia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. Due to the consultative status granted to the Math by the UN, we can now join forces with the world renowned body in a collaborative effort to bring continued relief to those affected by the tsunami disaster.”

With branch ashrams throughout India and centers worldwide, M. A. Math & affiliates are focused on sustainable development in the following areas with a vast array of charitable efforts: Social / Economic / Housing Development; Education; Healthcare Delivery; and Environmental improvement. M.A. Math was founded by the world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader, Mata Amritanandamayi.

A past Director-General of UNESCO, an agency of the United Nations, Mr. Felix Martin, sees in Amma the “foundations of the future world we are committed to make.”

Most recently, the organization has been focused on relief efforts in the wake of the 2004 tsunami disaster. The Math received international press for its generous pledge of 1 billion rupees ($23 Million USD) to rebuild homes that were completely destroyed throughout Southern India; 6200 homes are being built now in Southern India, Andoman & Nicobar islands and Sri Lanka. Along with the reconstruction of homes, the Math is providing healthcare services, the distribution of free daily meals and essential household items, free training and employment, orphan adoption, and various forms of physical and psychological support to the victims. For fishermen affected in the coastal areas, boats, fishing nets and boat engines are being given to restore the livelihood of tsunami affected lives. At the request of the Sri Lankan government, Amma visited to help the devastated nation through the construction of homes, pension plans, and other efforts. Unlike many organizations, M. A. Math has minimal administrative overhead; thus, every dollar is used in the service of those who need it most.

It is the Math’s intention to work with various UN agencies to further the tsunami rehabilitation projects & other broad-based humanitarian relief efforts around the world.

The U.N. Information Center in Delhi offers many capabilities for M.A. Math’s collaboration plans. M. A. Math will investigate the possibilities to partner as a grassroots implementer in the following UN agencies: OCHA’s humanitarian efforts, UNICEF, UNDP, UNIFEM, and other subsidiary bodies of the UN. M.A. Math’s intention is to broaden the extent of the tsunami rehabilitation work being done within India and the global community at large.
More about Economic and Social Council of the UN and consultative status granted to M. A. Math.

For more information, please contact:

Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri
Organization Name: Mata Amritanandamayi Math
Tel. Number 91-984- 289 -6399
Fax. Number 91- 476 – 289 – 76
amritswarup@yahoo.com & mam@amritapuri.org
Website URL www.amma.org & www.amritapuri.org