Two decades ago, the Indian Ocean Tsunami claimed over 227,000 lives across 14 countries, marking one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. Amritapuri Ashram near where the Amritapuri Campus is situated was among the worst hit areas. While the scale of devastation was immense, it also brought to light the incredible power of compassion to transcend barriers and bring hope and healing to those affected.
Amma swiftly took action, launching immediate relief and rehabilitation efforts by providing emergency response, which then evolved into long-term recovery initiatives to help survivors rebuild their lives.
Today the humanitarian work led by Amma stands as one of the most multi-faceted, comprehensive, and sustained disaster relief projects ever undertaken by a non-governmental organisation.
Amma met with members of the European Union who visited Amrita University‘s campuses in Kochi and Amritapuri on December 2 and 3, 2024, to discuss opportunities for collaboration in research, education, and innovation. They exchanged ideas with her as Chancellor of Amrita University on shared values in sustainability and humanitarian efforts.The discussions covered key areas of collaboration. The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), connecting institutions across 56 countries, was presented as a platform for partnerships in fields such as sustainability, women’s empowerment, food, textiles, digital innovation, and artificial intelligence.
Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, known as Amma, has dedicated her life to spreading a message of peace, tolerance, and compassion. Accessible to one and all, she has embraced more than 40 million people worldwide, and inspired a global volunteer-based humanitarian movement to help alleviate the burden of the poor and suffering. In her role as the Chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amma has adopted a unique blend of multidisciplinary and compassion driven pathways that focus on research to find solutions for the world’s most pressing issues.
Everyone in the world should be able to sleep without fear, at least for one night. Everyone should be able to eat to his fill, at least for one day. There should be at least one day when hospitals see no one admitted due to violence. By doing selfless service for at least one day, everyone should help the poor and needy. It is Amma’s prayer that at least this small dream be realized.
People Given Free
Health Care
Projects in
48 countries
Worldwide volunteers
from all ages and
backgrounds
In Disaster Relief
Action-oriented research with global impact is the founding principle of the plethora of initiatives laid out by our Chancellor. Amma has fostered an ecosystem which interlinks world class scientists, researchers, and cutting-edge technology. Based on the foundation of a multi-disciplinary approach, this translates to direct societal benefit.
With a unique blend of multidisciplinary solutions based upon active community participation, Amma is paving the way towards making sustainability a reality for all. Amrita SREE (Self-Reliance, Employment & Empowerment) Self-Help Groups is a concrete example that has reached 2 lakh women across India. With more than 13,000 SHGs, the members are imbued with an entrepreneurial spirit that has lifted them out of impoverished, vulnerable lives.
Amma has been invited to speak at many historical and landmark events over the years, including gatherings of the United Nations, the Vatican’s Declaration against Modern Slavery, and the Global Peace Initiative.
