From young people to senior citizens. From volunteers to government officials. From Europe to India to Africa. Amma’s three days in Chartres, France were a whirlwind of connecting citizens from diverse paths to build a more caring world. Still, all of it rested upon the foundation of Amma’s simple yet powerful solutions.
This was reflected in the words of Dr. Sylvie Retailleau during the first day of programs. She is a physicist who was the Minister of Higher Education and Research for France, and former President of Paris-Saclay University, a leading institution worldwide.
For her, Amrita University has been a deep inspiration with its 10 campuses focused on serving all levels of society. She described how spirit, values, and compassion support the students’ learning, alongside elevating communities in need.
“Amma wants students to experience the different realities of society firsthand. She wants to help them understand how they can listen, act, and use their skills and knowledge to provide solutions and make a real difference in people’s lives. I know from 35 years of experience how demanding this work is,” she said.
A parallel event demonstrated Amma’s impact, this time among the world’s future leaders in Europe. AYUDH, our youth wing, and Amma France have joined with Apprentis d’Auteuil to take part in its program for young people living in vulnerable circumstances. The partnership is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
Apprentis d’Auteuil is a Catholic organisation and one of the country’s oldest and largest youth welfare foundations. It supports more than 40,000 young people with 9,000 families. Through education, training, and integration programs, it helps them become independent men and women.
At the other end of the generations, Amma blessed the new care home for the elderly at Ferme du Plessis, her Ashram that is just 12km from Paris.
Another inspiring moment—Amma accepted the Kékéli Peace Prize in recognition of her initiatives in Africa. She shared that the rise of Africa is a cause very dear to her heart. Although there is great suffering, the citizens of Africa also carry vast potential within themselves.
His Excellency Mr. Sanjeev Singla, Ambassador of India to France, and Ms. Eenam Gambhir, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of India in France, also addressed the gathering. They shared how Amma is one of just a few of the country’s women spiritual leaders who have reached the global stage. At the same time, she is one of the foremost ambassadors of India’s spiritual heritage.
“Amma’s message embodies the values that unite India and France: respect for humanity, harmony with nature, and service to others. Amma’s work not only uplifts individuals, but also strengthens the bridge of friendship and understanding between our two nations,” said the Ambassador.
“Through her message and actions, Amma shows us that true spirituality lies not only in prayer or meditation, but in serving humanity with compassion and humility.”
From such a high level government official, the people who arrived reached the other end of humanity’s spectrum. A prisoner was allowed to wear an electronic tracking bracelet so he could meet Amma for the first time and receive her darshan.
With an expression of happiness, Amma blessed the man with a bracelet and his face shone with peace and gratitude. But, then as he was escorted away, his words surprised everyone.
“Oh! I’m so sad. I made a bracelet for Amma, but I forgot to give it to her,” he said, looking back. The team around her quickly brought him forward so he could have his wish fulfilled.
It was obvious that the man had been preparing to meet Amma for a long time and then arrived with such a small but selfless act of giving. For those around Amma, it was a living experience that a pure heart can manifest in each and every one of us, regardless of our past actions.
Amelie Koning echoed that message. She is a renunciate born in France who has made Amritapuri her home. She explained how although Amma’s reach is vast, what has struck her the most is the beauty of Amma’s simplicity. Simplicity is a universal virtue embodied by sages and great souls throughout the ages.
“I first met Amma in Toulon in 2007. She was sitting among us, approachable, radiating her love. I watched her for a long time as she gave her embrace. She welcomed each person with such tenderness,” said Amelie.
“Amma has the remarkable gift of getting straight to the essence, making the deepest truths understandable to everyone. The simplicity of Amma’s life is, in itself, her message. She tells us: ‘Love simply flows. Whoever is willing to take the plunge and dive in will be accepted as they are.’”
Swamini Amritajyoti Prana, one of Amma’s senior disciples and head of the Ashrams in France, also shared how Amma’s simplicity first drew her in 1988. During the program, she launched Le Bonheur est une Décision (Happiness is a Decision), a deeply moving autobiography about her life with Amma.
A woman of humble yet profound words herself, Swamini welcomed Amma to Chartres with a poem:
After six years of silence,
Amma returns to tread the soil of France.
Our hearts open to this immense source
like flowers to the sun of her presence.
Amma, your embrace abolishes fear,
And restores humanity to its true greatness.
Your heart embraces without boundaries,
The humble, the strong, the entire Earth.
O Amma, ocean of light,
Through your love, the world hopes—
Joy, gratitude, wonder—every breath becomes prayer.
Amma has joined us: blessing.
Amma is here: celebration!
