With deep love and gratitude, devotees from across the world gathered in Amritapuri to honour Amma’s 73rd birthday from September 26th to 27th. However, instead of a celebration, it was marked as Vishwa Seva Dinam—a day of service to the world. It is a time when humanity faces grave challenges.
In her birthday message, Amma shared her concerns, especially for the youth. She said: “Today, because of the erosion of values, society is gradually losing its balance and harmony. How many young people who could have done so much good for the world are instead destroying their lives addicted to drugs. We are all concerned about the external wars, but a more dangerous war that we should be really afraid of is the drug menace.”
Amma concluded by saying that the only solution is for humankind to return to a society based on love, compassion, and values. Selfless service for the welfare of the world is what makes life truly meaningful.
“Love is a mahā-mantra. It is a mantra that gives one the strength to face any kind of challenge. But it is not a mantra to be chanted with the lips. It must be chanted with the heart. It has to be expressed through our words and actions. It is a divine mantra that helps one to accept others as they are and gives them relief from their sorrows,” she said.
The Smile of a Sadguru
Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, Amma’s most senior disciple, shared what he has learned from Amma through the beauty of her smile. He explained how the smile of a Sadguru has a deep significance with many complex dimensions. Their eyes and face are full of so much joy, simply gazing at them brings complete peace.
“This is the power of a smile—the power of a Mahatma’s smile. We also feel the same when we see Amma. Why does this happen? Because they hold the whole universe within them, the totality. And when we see them smile, we know that this is how the totality smiles, this is how Krishna smiled, this is how Rama smiled, this is how Jesus Christ smiled, this is how Buddha smiled, and this is how the universe smiles,” said Swamiji in his message.
“This is why the Guru’s every action becomes meditation. Every child of Amma across the world has this experience. Sometimes, a single smile from Amma, or her calling out, ‘mone, mole, kunje, makkale, my darling child,’ is enough to blow away all negative feelings like snow in the sun.”
A Massive Wave of Compassion
The power of Amma’s smile came into full expression as some of MAM’s new initiatives were launched. The first was a $2.1 million (₹20 crore) free healthcare initiative to provide specialised medical treatment to about 1,000 patients at Amrita Hospitals in Kochi and Faridabad. This includes Keralam’s first uterus transplant surgery, alongside 300 open-heart surgeries, 50 liver transplants, 50 kidney transplants, 50 neurosurgeries, 50 knee replacement surgeries, and free treatment for 500 cancer patients.
MAM also committed $2.1 million (₹2 crore) each for relief and rehabilitation in Nepal and Assam following severe floods, landslides, and avalanches. The financial assistance for Assam was formally handed over to Shri Ranoj Pegu, the state’s Minister of Education, and for Nepal to Dr. Surendra Thapa, a diplomat with the Embassy of Nepal, New Delhi.
Further disaster relief included financial aid of ₹1.5 lakh each for eight fishing families from Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram who lost loved ones at sea. MAM also provided ₹1.5 lakh each to 16 families from Thrissur affected by a massive explosion at a firecracker manufacturing facility.
As well, Amma dedicated a further $3.1 million (₹30 crore) to MAM’s existing initiatives. They included the 15,000 Amrita SREE women’s self-help groups (SHGs) with 2.5 lakh members and rural development for over 2800 villages in 27 states.
The event also marked the 30th anniversary of MAM’s Amrita Kuteeram project, an initiative that has built more than 50,000 homes for people in need across India. A commemorative souvenir book was released, with the first copy presented to Keralam’s Chief Minister by the Vice President of India.
When the People’s Leaders Speak
Joining the gathering were several national and state leaders, diplomats, and elected representatives from across the country. Those who addressed the gathering included the Vice President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan; Governor of Keralam and Tamil Nadu, Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar; Union Minister of Home Affairs, Shri Amit Shah; and Chief Minister of Keralam, Shri V.D. Satheesan, among many others.
The eve of September 26, Union Minister of Home Affairs, Shri Amit Shah, expressed gratitude to Amma for her firm resolve to wipe the tears of the oppressed, saying: “On September 27, 1953, Amma was born in a very poor family in the remote village of Parayakadavu in Kollam district. Who knew that this child would become a guide for removing poverty and sorrow from the lives of crores of people? At that time, no one could recognise or envision it, but in the future too, Amma’s life will continue to be beneficial for the entire world.”
He continued: “The inspiration we get from Amma’s life has given crores of people—not just in India, but all over the world—the empathy and wisdom to understand the sorrows of others. Her embrace has given crores of people who are suffering the strength of knowing, ‘I am not alone, we are not alone, we have Amma.’”
The next day, Vice President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, praised Amma’s global humanitarian efforts, saying they are an example for all: “Amma reminds us that while material poverty must be addressed, the poverty of love and compassion must also be overcome, so that no one feels abandoned. As India advances in technology, innovation, and economic growth, development must have a human face and human touch. We must ensure that modernity progresses together with our civilisational values.”
Governor Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said that Amma reminds us all of the true purpose of life: “Amma’s birthday is not merely a celebration; it is a reminder of our responsibility to live and work for those who need us most. Wherever there is a need, Amma has been present through healthcare, education and service, guiding and inspiring millions across the country and the world. Her life reminds us that service to others is the highest purpose of life.”
Chief Minister of Keralam, Shri V.D. Satheesan, described how Amma’s noble deeds have inspired countless others to lead lives based on values: “Amma is a Mahatma who has shown the world through her own life what love and compassion are, far beyond mere words. When we come together to honour Amma’s birthday, we recognise that she is a refuge for millions of people across the world.”
The Joining of Hands and Hearts
As is the tradition, Amma sponsored the complete wedding expenses for couples from impoverished families. This year, 25 pairs of bride and groom received traditional saris, wedding clothes and gold ornaments to celebrate their new lives.
One of the brides was a “Tsunami Baby”. Her mother was among six women who had been sterilised before the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, and then lost their children in the disaster. Amma arranged tubal reversal surgery for all six, and all of them became mothers again. Three of them had twins.
And Then Darshan Began
At about 3pm on the 27th, Amma began embracing the tens of thousands who had arrived from across the country and around the world to rest in her arms. As they continued to flow to her, many different offerings of cultural beauty were enacted. The performances started with children joyfully telling stories through dance, from classical to modern. In the evening, the senior Swamis arrived on stage to sing bhajans to Amma, emanating a depth of love far beyond understanding.
At about 8pm, a procession of devotees arrived from Tamil Nadu for their yearly act of reverence to Amma through Karagam, an ancient folk tradition. Alongside classical dancers in ornate costumes, men and women carried decorated pots filled with sprouted grains and fire as offerings to the Divine Mother.
At about 2am came another birthday tradition, the Badaga dance. The Badagas are an indigenous community from the Nilgiri Hills. As a collective gathering of love for Amma, they invited devotees from across the world to join them in their joyful, massive circles of rhythmic footwork.
Then, finally, at about 6:30am on the 28th, Amma embraced the last soul to arrive in her arms. After about 21 hours at the venue, she left with a beaming smile upon her face, just like the day she came into this world. The thousands of faces gathered around her reflected that eternal joy. Vishwa Seva Dinam truly was an embodiment of Amma as the Universal Mother, born to love and serve all who take refuge in her.
Gathered to Honour Amma
Many others came to join Amma in her day of service to the world. On the 26th, the gathering included Keralam Ministers Shri Ramesh Chennithala (Home Affairs) and Shri K. Muraleedharan (Health and Family Welfare); Kollam MP Shri N.K. Premachandran; and Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Shri V.V. Rajesh, alongside other MLAs and community leaders.
On the 27th, the occasion was graced by Union Ministers Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu (Civil Aviation) and Shri Suresh Gopi (Tourism), as well as Thiruvananthapuram MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor. Keralam Legislative Assembly members included Speaker Shri Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, and Ministers Shri P.C. Vishnunadh (Tourism), Shri T. Siddique (Agriculture), Smt. Bindhu Krishna (Women and Child Development), Shri Roji M. John (Higher Education), and Shri Mons Joseph (Water Resources and Housing), alongside several more MPs, MLAs, and community leaders.
Honoured Swamis from other spiritual traditions were also present. They included Swami Nandatmajananda of Ramakrishna Math, Swami Satsarupananda of Marg Darshaka Mandal, Swami Gururatnam Jnana Thapaswi of Santhigiri Ashram, and Mahamandaleshwar Swami Aiandavanam of Juna Akhada.
