Tu sei la luce. You are the light. Thousands from across Italy gathered in Piacenza near Milan to be with Amma. Sunlight streamed into the hall, meeting the rays that shone from the hearts of all. In their joyful Italian traditions, people joined Amma in song, dance, and prayers for world peace.
The programs took place from November 11 to 13. Amma was received by Ms. Katia Tarasconi, the Mayor of Piacenza, who greeted her on behalf of its citizens.
“I really wanted to welcome Amma to the city of Piacenza. At a time in history when there is so much violence and evil in the world, Amma’s message of love and peace is the most important message of all,” she said.
Another distinguished guest was Ms Anna Agnelli, director and filmmaker who produced the documentary Amma’s Way. She acknowledged all the volunteers for organising the program in such a short time, putting their hearts and souls into it.
“I thank Amma for coming back to Italy, even though distance does not exist and she is always with us. Amma is the inspiration behind all projects, but we are her hands, and we must keep this concept in our hearts and serve her mission,” she said.
Ms Romina Power, an icon of Italian music and cinema, also addressed the gathering. After garlanding Amma, she expressed how this first meeting inspired her on a profound level.
“I don’t know what to say about Amma—her all-embracing humanitarian activities speak for themselves. When I look at her, I feel deeply touched and emotional,” she said.
“I remember the lines of a popular song of mine, Felicità. To be with Amma is Felicità—Happiness. Amma’s embrace is Felicità—Happiness. Amma is Felicità—Bliss!”
Uniting science and compassion in the land of St Francis of Assisi
In the presence of Amma as Chancellor, Amrita University achieved further global academic connections when it inked two new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with leading institutions in Italy. The collaborations include a focus on climate and disaster resilience.
One is with the Govt of Italy’s premier scientific institution: the National Research Council (CNR). Amrita will collaborate with its Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection (IRPI). The agreement was signed by Dr Maneesha V Ramesh, Amrita’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, and Dr Tommaso Moramarco, Director, IRPI.
Although a scientist, Dr Tommaso Moramarco shared how this first meeting with Amma left him in wonder on a deeply spiritual level.
“Thank you for giving me a completely new experience. I am a researcher, and I didn’t know Amma, but she surprised me. I live in the land of St. Francis of Assisi, and I found Amma’s mission to be very much in line with St. Francis,” he said in his address.
“It was Amma who inspired the universities represented here and gave us the strength to be convinced of what we are doing by signing the MoU. With this, we aim to contribute to mitigating climate change.”
As well, Amrita formalised an MoU with the University of Roma Tre, represented by Prof Giovanni Formica, Head of the Department of Architecture. He expressed his wish that it be a scientific, cultural, and human agreement.
“I hope it will open new horizons for students, researchers, alongside the entire community that will be embraced through this agreement,” he said.
Building strength in a vulnerable world
From a unique perspective of our common humanity, Professor Riccardo Moro, a leading Italian economist, spoke about how Amma’s humanitarian work resonates in his heart.
During Italy’s G20 Presidency in 2021, he headed its Civil 20 Engagement group. When Amma became the Hon’ble Chair of C20 India in 2023, he discovered a shared vision of civil society’s ability to uplift our world’s most vulnerable people.
“We are convinced that—especially in a moment when the law of force is being imposed—a more just and sustainable world can be built if, instead of imposing force, we construct a system of rights grounded in the citizenship of the most vulnerable, beginning with the least privileged,” he said.
“Because we are all vulnerable. Sharing this vulnerability creates a strength that becomes a source of welcome for all.”
A fearless pathway forward
As the program came to a close in Piacenza, Amma again brought joy to all with her dance to the tribal tune of “rarari rararika rarari rararo” – a celebration of the Divine Mother in her fierce form to destroy the sorrow of the world.
She then departed for her next tour stop at the MA Centre in Brombachtal, Germany.
