Over five thousand devotees came to the World Trade Center in Marlboro, MA to meet Mata Amritanandamayi, the "Hugging Saint" from Kerala and to attend a retreat held July 20 -23.  Amma, as she is known all over the world today, has inspired and started innumerable humanitarian services. She has earned international recognition for her outstanding contributions to the world community. She is recognized as an extraordinary spiritual leader by the United Nations and by the people all over the world. Amma, grew up poor in a fishing village, a low-caste woman destined for a humble domestic life who instead became a revered figure all over the world.

“I am drawn to her because of her love and compassion for the people of the world. She is never tired of helping people” says Chinmayi Rutz who has organized these retreats in the New England area for past several years.  Thousands of visitors, many clad in white were waiting in line to get the famous “hug” from Ammachi. Amma did not disappoint her followers and sat for hours and hugged each and every individual. 

She was accompanied by an entourage of volunteers who follow her from city to city.  Swami Dayamrita Chaitanya., who is the President, of M.A.Center San Ramon, CA coordinates her annual trip to the United States. He described his unusual first encounter with Amma. “I was a documentary film producer. I was also very skeptical of Swamis and Gurus. I met her because I wanted to do a film on Amma to do what I thought would be an expose of a fake Guru.  At my first filming of  her gatherings, a leper walked in with the hope of getting a hug. I was sure she would refuse, but to my utter shock and surprise she spent the longest time hugging him and she then licked his wounds. In a moment I was transformed from a non-believer to a follower. ” says Swamiji. What is like to be with Amma? “Every moment with Amma is a miracle. I remember in the early days Amma insisted on feeding anyone who came to the ashram. Once at the days end,  we had no food left and no money to purchase any food. While we were all worried, Amma was calm and told us that God would take care. Late at night someone walked in unexpectedly and donated a 1000 rupees”

Her humanitarian efforts are numerous. She has several community and social initiatives including free homes for the poor, village reconstruction projects, pensions for destitute women, Amrita Cancer Hospice, Amrita Aids Hospice, Care Home for the Aged,  Indigenous People Project and Super Speciality Hospital for the Poor.  In addition she also has several educational initiatives. Amma’s Amrita Institutions, consisting of the Amrita Institute of Technology and Science (AITEC), the Amrita Institute of Management (AIM) at Ettimadai, and the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) with its Medical College, Pharmacy College and Nursing School in Cochin, together constitute Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Amrita University). This is the youngest Deemed-to-be-University in the country, and the first time a college has achieved this status in less than 10 years. It is also the first Deemed-University in Kerala. (Deemed-to-be-University is the highest status the government of India can confer upon a private educational institution.) She has received several nation and international awards for her humanitarian works

Krishnashree Achutan and her husband live in India at Amma’s Ashram. “We used to work in California but moved back to serve Amma. A few years back many people from the software world moved to Amma’s ashram from the US. Amma decided to start a research lab where these people could use their talent effectively. My husband is part of that group and they have several exciting projects including one for Konkan Railways that they are working on”. The monies that they make are used for to help the charitable causes.

“The retreat has been wonderful. Amma’s singing is really blissful. Being in her presence is wonderful” said Karthi Chandra of New Hampshire who was  one of the participants in the retreat. The retreat also presented classes on Yoga and meditation. Reputed astrologer Prasanna was  available for onsite consultations. The kitchen was run by volunteers under the leadership of Trupta Cohen. Kamala Sunderasan was the coordinator for the Indian food preparation and she had traveled with Amma all the way from California. Devi Bhava was the culmination of the retreat and the devotees left with their hearts filled with the love and compassion generously donated to all by Amma.

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