Dr. Venkatesh Narayanamurti, Dean of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Dean of Physical Sciences at Harvard University, USA
Dr. Venkatesh Narayanamurti, the dean of the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), welcomed Amma to the Boston area, placing a garland around her neck and offering a few words regarding Harvard's collaborations with Amma's university, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
"I am really honoured to be here today," he said. "I, of course, have known about Amma from the various writings of her in various Indian newspapers as well as The New York Times. But about three and a half years ago, I met the vice-chancellor of the university that she founded, Amrita University. And he approached me to develop new ties between the United States and Amrita University. And about a dozen of us universities signed a memorandum of understanding so that we could actually work together. This included the University of California, Princeton, Harvard - many of the leading universities."
"Amrita University is a vision that Amma created. And it really involves various disciplines, including a medical college, and they really want to broaden interactions between our country, the United States, and India. And I hope, in fact, we can work with them in that capacity.
"And also as a result read many of her works, as well as seen videos of her many speeches at world forums and all her service is quite a moving experience. My wife and my daughter have all read them and we are simply in admiration of Amma. Thank you for blessing us."
Dr. Sharon Hahs, the President of Northeastern Illinois University welcomed AMMA to Illinois, Chicago
Dr. Hahs and Northeastern faculty and students presented Amma with a series of sacred objects, culminating with Dr. Hahs reverently placing a blue wool blanket around Amma’s shoulders—a Native American tradition reserved for guests of the highest honour. “I bring greetings and blessings from Northeastern Illinois University,” Dr. Hahs said
Dr. B.R. Shetty, M.D & C.E.O, New Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi
Dr. Bhaskaranarayana, Director of Satellite Communications, ISRO
Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information.
Sharon Stone, Renowned Actress
Sharon Stone said upon presenting Amma with the 2007 Cinema Verite Award in Paris:
“The film Darshan is extremely inspiring; but the life of a person who gives themselves in service is something we can all aspire to because to do so is a choice.” She then continued to laud Amma’s life of love, compassion and service, referring to Amma as “a saint, angel and person of acts of goodness.”
