On July 9 & 10, 2015, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi also known as Amma, will be returning to New England to once again hug thousands of people who come to meet her. In the wake of the devastating earthquake in Nepal, Amma immediately sent representatives to the area to assess the situation and help in whatever way possible. Amma considers all of humanity as her own and accepts and hugs everyone who comes for her embrace. Out of concern for all beings in the world, Amma has created a vast network of humanitarian and disaster relief charities around the globe called Embracing the World. In recent years, Amma has donated millions of dollars in aid to victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the Japanese Tsunami, the devastation in Uttarkhand and the earthquake in Maharashtra.

She directed the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, the Indian presence of Embracing the World, to send 50 tons of wheat, and 2,000 sets of warm clothes to Nepal. The result of the devastation caused many people in the villages to become homeless. In response to this crisis, the Math distributed tin sheets for roofing – with an aim not only to provide immediate temporary shelter, but could also later be used as part of their permanent housing.

Due to the thousands injured, there is a strong need for the Anti-Tetanus Toxoid vaccine. The vaccine is not only crucial for those directly injured but equally important for the post-disaster period, where injuries from collapsed debris pose new threats for adults and children alike. In
response to this urgent need, Mata Amritanandamayi Math organized 100,000 doses of ATT vaccine to be urgently sent to Kathmandu by air from Malaysia. Ms. Mridula Koirala, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister accepted the consignment on behalf of the Hon’ble Prime Minister. Thus far, this is the single largest supply of ATT vaccine provided by any aid organization since the earthquake struck.

Apart from the vaccine, the Math has donated two tons of essential medicines and surgical items to the Bir Hospital, the biggest Govt. Hospital in Nepal. The supplies were received by the Hospital Director, Prof. Dr Swoyam Prakash Pandit in the presence of Ms. Mridula Koirala. The Director thanked Amma for sending the critical vaccine and the other medicines at the most needed hour.

Math representatives met with Sri. Sushil Koirala, Hon. Prime Minister of Nepal and had detailed discussions about the relief activities so far undertaken by the Math. The Hon. Prime Minister expressed his appreciation of Amma’s compassion and lauded the Math’s activities in the hour of great crisis. Also, the Prime Minister opined that in the aftermath, the coming of aid and assistance from various countries and organizations from around the world was really inspiring. He added, “With the compassion and aid from a great humanitarian like Amma, I feel the burden on my shoulder lessened.”

Amma will be in New England on July 9 & 10, 2015 and all are invited to receive a personal blessing. Free programs on both days begin at 10am and 7pm at the Best Western, 181 Boston Post Road West in Marlborough, MA. Programs include inspirational music, meditation, spiritual discourse, and personal blessings. Devi Bhava, the evening program on July 10, will be a celebration devoted to world peace.

Numbered tokens for individual blessings are distributed at 8:30am for morning programs, and 5:45pm for evening programs. Devi Bhava tokens are distributed at 5:30pm. Tokens are limited by time constraints. Please visit www.ammanewengland.org/tour or call 716.226.6223 or email ammanewengland@gmail.com. For information on Amma’s charities, visit www.embracingtheworld.org.