Kollam, September 23, 2013: Celebrations to mark the 60th birthday of spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi on September 27 will begin on Sunday with a three-day prayer for world peace.

The celebrations will also feature international cultural performances, seminars, and launch of service projects.

The Mata Amritanandamayi Math complex at Amritapuri near here will be the main venue of the celebrations. Math authorities said they expected more than five-lakh devotees at the venue during the festival period. Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, vice-chairman of the math, said the core part of the celebrations would span for three days starting from September 25.

Among the dignitaries who will be arriving for the celebrations are former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (on September 25), Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi (September 26), and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna (September 27). The main project to be unveiled this year would be a programme to adopt 101 villages across India, with the intention of making them self-reliant role-model villages, the Swami said. This project would be launched on September 27.

“On September 26, Mr. Modi will unveil a number of scientific advancement and prototypes made by Amrita University that we are offering to society,” the Swami said.

These include a wireless ECG-monitoring system called Amrita Spandanam and a personal safety alert system for women in distress that has more than 15 features.

On the same day, Mr. Chandy will inaugurate a set of new charitable ventures. The math will launch a Rs.50-crore relief and rehabilitation package for the calamity-struck Uttarakhand where the math would rebuild 500 houses destroyed in the June floods.

“We will also provide financial aid to victims of the landslide in Idukki and Rs.50-crore free surgery at Amrita Hospital in Kochi (both in Kerala),” the Swamy said.

Source: The Hindu, September 23, 2013