15 March — Shivaji Park, Mumbai, Maharashtra – Bharata Yatra 2007
Amma’s programs in Shivaji Park came right after the Ashram’s announcement of Amma’s spontaneous pledge of Rs. 200 crores [$45.4 million U.S] to curb suicide among farmers in Maharashtra, Kerala and other parts of India {news}. During the formal part of the program, one of Amma’s devotees shared the news of Amma’s spontaneous pledge with the 15,000 or so people gathered.
maharashtra welcomes amma
“It’s with immense joy that we announce the wonderful news that, after a discussion with the Honourable Chief Minister, Sri. Vilasrao Deshmukh, and other high government officials regarding the rising suicide rate of farmers in Maharashtra, Kerala and other parts of the country, our most beloved Amma has pledged Rs. 200 crores for the relief, rehabilitation and upliftment of affected and at-risk families. Under Amma’s guidance, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math will establish counselling centres across the country to help create awareness regarding the negative impacts of suicide and to give at-risk people the mental strength to carry on in life,” she said.
This of course was met with a large round of applause.
Among the dignitaries on hand to greet Amma to Mumbai {sthalapurana }were Sri. Chagan Bhujbal, the Honourable PWD Minister of Maharashtra; Sri. S.M. Krishna, the Honourable Governor of Maharashtra; Sri. Radhakrishnan, Honourable Chief Justice of the Mumbai High Court; and Dr. Subha Raul, the Honourable Mayor of Mumbai.
amma on screen
Sri. Chagan Bhujbal, the Honourable PWD Minister of Maharashtra, was the first to speak. In reference to Amma’s Rs. 200 crores pledge, he said, “I am fully confident that this plan Amma has envisaged will bear fruit, unlike some of the other plans that never see the light of the day. Amma always gives love and confidence, and this is what really helps those in trouble. These people can not be helped only by money. But when they come to Amma, they go back with self-confidence.”
Governor S.M. Krishna then helped Amma distribute checks to new enrolees in the Ashram’s lifetime pension program, Amrita Nidhi, which provides financial assistance for 100,000 widows and disabled people throughout the country. Bhujbal distributed 10 sewing machines on behalf of the Ashram to local impoverished women in order to financially empower them. Chief Justice Radhakrishnan and officially released a souvenir commemorating Amma’s 2007 visit to Mumbai by handing the first copy to Mayor Subha Raul.
Many Mumbai-based musicians and singers attended the program, including santoorist Pandit Satish Vyas, musician and vocalist Sri. Uttara Kelkar, Marathi stage artist and vocalist Sri. Sudhesh Bhosale, world-renowned percussion artist Sri. Shivamani, renowned sitarist Pundit Nayan Ghosh, tablist Prafull Atle and play-back singer Smt. Anuradha Paudwal. Around midnight sitarist Pundit Nayan Ghosh, tablist Prafull Atle and Shivamani put on a small concert for Amma
—Tulasi
