Amma's "Love" Fills the Palasport to Overflowing
Once again.

Almost 3000 devotees last week received this religious woman's embrace.

COLLEGNO - Between 2,000 and 3,000 people every day flocked to the Palasport to hug Amma. They've come from all over Italy and throughout Europe. All in line to embrace this Indian woman with definite spiritual charisma. She smiles, affecting all those around her. Surrounded by Hindu monks and volunteers in white: one great big family.

Amma embraces people hour after hour. She arrived in Turin on Wednesday and ended her visit on Saturday morning, after a long night of reflection. "It's a constant flow of infinite energy", explains Amma. "I give love infinitely. This energy comes from an infinite source. A flow of permanent energy". This endless desire to embrace and smile never ceases. Amma nods her head almost in invitation, drawing towards her children and adults alike to receive a warm hug. Some are emotionally moved, others just smile. It's not easy to describe a person who could be called a saint in the Italian tradition, who's referred to as a "light" by those whom she selflessly helps.

She doesn't ask for money: a ticket system is needed to receive her embrace due to the huge numbers. Her mission is to spread kindness, a message of peace. Born to a poor family in 1953 on the South coast of Kerala in India, she had an unhappy childhood. Her mother said, "Amma didn't cry at birth, she smiled". The same smile she has today. Many people were attracted to her in the village where she grew up, telling her their troubles and looking for solace, including a group of young people who looked to her as their spiritual guide.

Today, Amma has brought about an incredible number of projects in India: hospitals, health care in villages, 25,000 houses for the homeless, 50,000 free months each month, an orphanage for 500 children, a rest home and 34 schools. She's helped poor students who, in turn, now help others having managed to complete their university studies and find work. She gives 50,000 monthly pensions to poor women.

While on the subject of the condition of women, before coming to Collegno, Amma was invited to the UN building in Geneva to take part in the global peace initiative, which brought together many female spiritual and religious leaders. "At present, most women are asleep. Women have to wake up and arise! This is one of the most urgent needs of the age. And not only should women living in developing countries wake up - this applies to women all over the world. Women in countries where materialism is predominant should awaken to spirituality."
Spirituality - this is one of the qualities that many people coming to Collegno seek and which the Italian "Amici di Amma" association of Pinerolo actively promotes. For most of the visitors - nearly all from outside the Turin area (Ferrara, Vicenza, Milan) - the West needs spirituality. "Amma doesn't want to spread her religion - Hinduism - and convert people to this, but to give love", says Alin, one of the people close to Amma. British and a father, he's one of the many volunteers who help organise the European tour. "I have my family", continues Alin, "and in my country I work as a writer. And it was while I was working that I thought there had to be something else, something more important. Amma teaches us to be ready to help others." Alin often flies to India, to the monastery where Amma lives. A centre that's open to all. "Givers of love". This is Amma's example and conception. "She doesn't perform miracles, but you keep seeing ill people coming back year after year."

The indoor stadium's been transformed for the occasion. Colours, designs, music and smells: all typical of India. Carpets cover the floor, people walk barefoot in a sign of respect. Incense burns. Huge photos of lotus flowers are visible above the musicians: the lotus is the symbol of rebirth, a perfect flower with its roots in the mud. Numerous stalls sell Indian products: all proceeds go towards Amma's projects.

Many of the organisers walk around in white clothes, a sign of their intention to become pure, like the colour itself. Monks wear orange - the colour of fire that burns all - they're the ones who live for the sake of others. The enticing aromas of Indian vegetarian meals emanates from the bar. The last night there's the Puja ceremony, a ritual of purification that lasts all night long.

Chiara Novara