Project for Ending Farmer Suicide

In recent years, suicide has been spreading like an epidemic amongst farmers in India suffering from debt and crop failure. For example, in 2006 in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, there were 1,044 reported suicides—one every eight hours.

It was in March 2007, after discussions on the issue with Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, that Amma first announced that the Ashram would soon be launching a massive project in order to fight the problem. "The problem cannot be solved through economic packages alone," Amma told the Maharashtra CM. "What is needed is social and spiritual interventions so that the farmers realize that suicide is not the way out. In fact, it only further aggravates the problem for the families,''

On 27 September 2007, the Ashram inaugurated two programs aimed at fighting the problem: Vidyamritam and Amrita SREE. The projects are focused at place with high farmer-suicide rates—Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The idea behind these two initial projects is to help lessen the financial strain placed upon agricultural families, which is one of the main factors in the suicides.

"Yet another generation should not become slaves of emotional weakness like suicide," Amma said. "Rather than that, they should understand that they need to develop self confidence. The future generation should have the mental strength to face life's challenges."

Vidyamritam

Through Vidyamritam, the Ashram is providing full scholarships to 30,000 children (ages 10 to 15) of farmers living below the poverty line. Many of the beneficiaries are in fact children who have lost one or both parents to suicide. The children receive a monthly stipend until they finish their education, subject to their performance in their studies.

Since the announcement of the project, thousands of applications have been received and they continue to pour in daily. Becasue of the huge response the number of beneficiaries has been increased to 100,000.

As an extension of this project, the Ashram is conducting awareness campaigns, including programs to inculcate values. A newsletter containing articles, stories and discussion forums to further facilitate the intellectual and mental growth is being received by all the children. Furthermore, special advanced-education camps and symposiums on environmental preservation are being conducted.

Amrita SREE (Self-Reliance Education & Employment)

Through Amrita SREE, the Ashram is providing free vocational training to 5,000 groups of women from impoverished agricultural families. After completion of their training, the women are given the necessary start-up capital to begin small, home-based businesses.