Projects to End Farmer Suicide
 The distribution of scholarships to children of impoverished agricultural families so they may complete their education
In July 2007, after discussing the suicide epidemic with chief ministers, village leaders, social workers and the farmers themselves, Amma launched two projects aimed at relieving the immediate distress of farmers as risk: Vidyamritam and Amrita SREE.
Vidyamritam
Through Vidyamritam, Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM) is providing permanent scholarships to 100,000 children of farmers living below the poverty
line throughout India. Already the first phase of 30,000 students from the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala is underway. Many of the beneficiaries are children who have lost one or both parents to suicide. The children (ages 10 to 15) receive a monthly stipend until they finish their education, subject to their performance in their studies.
 Provision of finance and equipment to women to help them be financially independent and to start small business cooperatives.
Vidyamritam is a permanent programme, with new students taking over the scholarships of those who have graduated.
As an extension of this project, MAM is conducting awareness campaigns, including programmes aimed at instilling and strengthening universal values in the youth. A newsletter containing articles, stories and discussion forums to 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
Through Amrita SREE, MAM is providing free vocational
training for 5,000 self-help groups of women from impoverished agricultural families. MAM is supporting them to start their own businesses through vocational training in various trades, including
tailoring, packaged-food production, electrical repair and the manufacturing of paper products. Upon the completion of their training, MAM is assisting
the women in setting up small businesses and obtaining the necessary bank loans.
Farmer-Suicide Relief Work Begins
January 2007
Ravi Marshetwar, an independent
social worker from Vidarhba comes to Amritapuri to inform Amma of the difficulties he faces in helping the farmers there and to request Amma's help with the region's suicide problem. Amma hears Ravi's problems with tears in eyes and agrees to help.
March 2007:
Vilasrao Deshmukh, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, invites Amma to the Sahyadri Government
Guest House to hold discussions with him and various ministers and advisers. India's farmer-suicide problem is discussed at length. Upon the meeting's conclusion, Amma announces MAM's relief package.
July 2007:
Amma sends Brahmachari Eknath, who speaks Marathi, the language of Vidarbha, to the region.
He makes extensive visits to remote areas and informs the farmers of MAM's relief programmes. He collects thousands of applications for aid. The people invite Amma to visit Washim.
September 2007:
During Amma's birthday celebrations in Amritapuri, the first applicants received their scholarships
Hundreds of impoverished children
of agricultural families from Vidarbha, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala arrive in Amritapuri. They receive the first scholarships and meet Amma during her birthday celebrations.
October 2007:
Amma agrees to visit Washim, to meet the affected families. Br. Eknath returns to help organize a darshan programme.
February 2008:
Amma's programme in Washim. Thousands upon thousands of people come to meet her. They graciously honour Amma and are deeply moved by her compassionate darshan. Afterwards many say they have a renewed sense of confidence to move forward in life.
April 2008:
 April 2008: Ravi Marshetwar (right) visited Amritapuri with young men from Washim. Ravi was one of the first people to ask Amma to help the farmers of Vidarbha
At the invitation of Amma, the leaders of Washim visit Amritapuri. They request Amma to create an educational institute aimed at the special needs of agricultural families as well as to help them build water-storage ponds. They also ask her to construct
an ashram and Brahmasthanam Temple there.
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