Amma's Tour Cancelled

Aum Amriteswaryai Namah

Dear Divine Brothers & Sisters,

I think you are already aware that Amma's Indian Tour, beyond
Bangalore, stands cancelled. It is unfortunate, but in the current
situation, a necessity. The people who are physically, psychological
and financially devastated by the recent tsunami waves are looking up
to Amma for solace and succour.

The Ashram has built nine shelters thus far and has many families
staying in the Engineering College Campus -- altogether providing
accommodation for 1,321 families altogether in them, as well as is
providing food to about 12,000 people daily. In addition to this Amma
has decided to give jobs to over 400 young men and women in our
institutions. This is in Kerala alone. There are large-scale
activities in Tamil Nadu as well, where the Ashram has adopted three
villages where all the destroyed houses--numbering about 2,000--shall
be rebuilt, the children provided education, about 350 orphans adopted
and an orphanage started. Of course, as in Kerala, the Ashram is
providing food and has set up temporary shelters for the people. In
Andaman & Nicobar Islands too, the Ashram has adopted villages.

On the invitation of the Sri Lankan Government, Amma is considering
visiting Sri Lanka in the near future, to console and give solace to
the suffering. The Ashram intends to build houses there too, as there
has been an official request along these lines.

Although Amma and the Mata Amritanandamayi Math is able and willing to
provide whatever services that may be required by the tsunami
affected, major decisions like the types and number of houses, the
plans, the beneficiaries, etc have not been taken by the government so
far. On January 3, Amma made Her momentous announcement, pledging 100
crores for the relief and rehabilitation work. Throughout the world,
this announcement was wholeheartedly welcomed with enthusiasm and joy.
But as the month of January draws to an end, there are still many
unsettled and unresolved issues.

In the meantime, the suffering villagers wait... the past full of
sorrow and the future uncertain.

As you are aware, Amma Herself is the inspiration and guiding force
behind all of our activities. The villagers feel that, as a decision
has not been reached, Amma's absence from Amritapuri will slow down or
even stop the rehabilitation activities. Another factor is that about
350 people travel with Amma on the Indian Tour. They are the hands
through which Amma works. If such a large number of people were to
leave the Ashram at this time, it would have a detrimental effect on
the relief activities.

Keeping all these factors in mind and not wanting to add to the worry
or sorrows of the people who still have yet to recover from the fell
blow of nature, Amma has decided to return to Amritapuri after the
Bangalore programme and guide the tsunami relief activities. Of
course, though Amma will not be able to come to you, Her blessings and
love are ever with you. I am sure that you will understand the
situation and keep praying for the peace of the suffering people.

With love & prayers.

At Amma's Lotus Feet,

Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri