Tsunami 2004 - Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

The index of tsunami relief activities

Compassion and kindness can bring hope and joy
Amma sponsored tubal-ligation reversal surgeries for six women who had lost their children in the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. The families of these children came to see Amma and were allowed to have a photograph with her.
Praying for the departed in tsunami
11 Mar 2012, Amritapuri Today marks the one year anniversary of the Japanese Tsunami. Near the beginning of darshan, just after the morning archana, Amma asked all to take […]
One Million to Japan tsunami children’s education fund
16 September 2011, Sendai, Japan Embracing the World (ETW), the international organization of Mata Amritanandamayi Math, formally presented its donation of US $1,000,000 to Yoshihiro Murai, the Governor of […]
Accept the situation, develop faith, move forward
Amma visits tsunami relief camps in Japan 25 July, Tokyo During the programs in Tokyo, many people from tsunami-affected areas came to seek solace and guidance from Amma. A […]
Amma announces one million for Japan tsunami relief
Tokyo, Japan, July 23 Amma announced a donation of one million US dollars towards the relief and rehabilitation of Japanese disaster victims, particularly for the education of children who […]
Prayer circles for Japan
Amritapuri Since first day after the earthquake in Japan, there were prayer circles for the victims every day. Daily after the evening bhajans, all have been chanting 108 ‘Lokah […]
Sixth Tsunami Baby Arrives
24 December 2008 — Amritapuri After the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004, several women from the villages surrounding Amritapuri came to Amma telling of a peculiar and tragic plight. […]
Amma gives away tsunami houses in Andaman
Port Blair, Andaman — 24 March 2008 When the tsunami hit the Andaman-Nicobar Islands, nearly 10,000 houses were destroyed. On March 24, Amma flew the 1255 kilometers from Kolkata […]
Two More ‘Tsunami Babies’ on the Way
13 January 2007 — Amritapuri Another one of the tsunami victims who underwent fallopian-tubal-ligation reversal is pregnant with twins. Sarita, 30, came to Amritapuri for Amma’s darshan this morning […]
Two years after the Tsunami
26 December 2006 — Amritapuri At 8:00 a.m. all the ashram residents rose from their meditations and walked to the kalari, where they were each handed a flower. Then, […]
Before, then and after Tsunami
20 December 2006, Amritapuri Below is a photo history of the backwaters before, during, and after the tsunami. All the photos were taken from the top of the flats. […]
Amrita Setu will also go into history
Excerpts from President Kalam’s Address on the Occasion of the Inauguration of Amrita Setu 20 December 2006 – Amritapuri I offer my prostrations to all of you. My great […]
Amrita Setu: Connecting lands connecting hearts
20 December 2006 — Amritapuri Salutations to all of you who are verily the embodiments of love and the Supreme Self. It’s been nearly two years since the tragedy […]
President Kalam inaugurates Amrita Setu
20 December 2006 — Amritapuri The President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, came to Amritapuri in order to inaugurate Amrita Setu, the bridge the Ashram has constructed connecting […]
Thanks for fulfilling the dream
19 December 2006, Amritapuri “Nowhere in the world, has another NGO built such a bridge like Amrita Setu. On behalf of the people and the Panchyat Committee of Alappad, […]
New bridge, new hopes
19 December 2006, Amritapuri Long before the towers of Amritapuri were constructed, in fact, as long as one can remember, ferrys have been taking villagers back and forth across […]
President Kalam to inaugurate Amrita Setu
13 December 2006 — Amritapuri On the 20th of December, the President of India, His Excellency Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, will inaugurate Amrita Setu, the Ashram-constructed bridge connecting Alappad […]
Ashram Tsunami documentary wins award
29th October 2006 — Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA The Mata Amritanandamayi Math’s documentary “Pray & Serve: Amma’s Response to the Tsunami” won the Filmmaker’s Award at the prestigious Hot […]
NGO and UN have something to learn from Amma
Interview with Olara A. Otunnu, Former UN Under-Secretary General 22 September 2006-Amritapuri Olara A. Otunnu recently paid a visit to Amritapuri. In 2005, Mr. Otunnu completed his eight-year term […]
Amrita Setu – bridge seva
17 September 2006 — Amritapuri For a long time there was “sand seva.” Then, later it was “brick seva.” Now it is “bridge seva.” Towards the end of darshan […]
Tsunami baby is born
12:16 pm, 13 September 2006 — AIMS Hospital, Cochin, Kerala Today at 12:16 pm, a special baby girl was born at AIMS Hospital in Cochin. The baby’s mother, Priya, […]
Foundation stone laid for 100 tsunami-relief houses
10 September 2006 — Bamboo Flat, South Andaman, Andaman Islands The Ashram laid the first foundation stone for the 100 tsunami-relief houses it has committed to build in Bamboo […]
Life blooms anew in Tsunami victims
6 September 2006, Amritapuri Some of the mothers in the villages around Amritapuri who lost children in the 2004 tsunami had previously undergone tubal ligation as a form of […]
284 houses more to Tsunami victims
27 August 2006 — Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu In the past two days, the Ashram has handed over a 284 houses more to tsunami victims in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu–120 in […]
Sacrifice in Sri Lanka- a tsunami housing update
27 May 2006 — Thekkawatta, Kalutara District, Western Province, Sri Lanka For the past seven months, a 16- x 6-foot shack has served as their office, their kitchen, their […]
Ashram to build 100 homes in Andaman Island
10 April 2006 — Andaman, Island The Ashram will build 100 houses in Bambooflat, South Andaman, as part of its tsunami relief-and-rehabilitation project. A memorandum of understanding to this […]
Retain mental strength and unity to face disasters
Amma’s Message on the First Anniversary Observation of the Tsunami Srayikkad, 26 December 2005 Life becomes complete when humankind and Nature move in harmony, hand in hand. When melody […]
Smriti Deepam: lamps of remembrance
26 December 2005 — Alappad Panchayat, Kollam District, Kerala The walk had been made before—16 days shy of a year ago. Then and now, the prayers were the same: […]
Helping Nagapattinam to overcome fear
20 December 2005 — Samanthampettai, Nagore, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu “When difficult circumstances arise in life, there are two ways to respond. We can either run away in fear […]
Amritapuri is the land of compassion, love and beauty
President of India visits Amritapuri 18 December 2005, Amritapuri His Excellency the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, paid a visit to Amritapuri today. In the divine presence […]
President of India to visit Amritapuri
14 December 2005 — Amritapuri This Sunday, the 18th of December, His Excellency the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, will come to Amritapuri Ashram in order to […]
Festival at Edachira
House Building with Love and Compassion 11 December 2005 — Edachira, Alappad Panchayat, Kollam District, Kerala For the past few weeks, the scene across the backwaters from the tiny […]
Recognising their own strength
18 November 2005, Amritapuri 60 Women came to Amritapuri this past Friday to receive their diplomas after completing a 3-month special training course in embroidery, footwear, leather goods, and […]
Building an island of homes with Hearts
18 November, Edachira, Alappad On a small island about 4km north of Amritapuri, the Ashram is building 28 new Tsunami homes. The island, known as Edachira, has no roads […]
Sri Lanka updates
11 November 2005, Sri Lanka Construction of Tsunami homes is progressing in the Eastern (Tamil) and Western (Sinhalese) Districts in Sri Lanka. The homes are being built according to […]
Stone laid for houses in Kalmunai
17 October 2005, Kalmunai, Sri Lanka Today morning, the foundation stone was laid for the construction of 60 houses in Periyanilavanai in the Kalmunai division of Ampara District, Eastern […]
Rather than rust away doing nothing, it is better to wear away doing something
Transcribed from a press conference at Amritapuri September 23rd 2005, Amritapuri Q: Was the UN recognition of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math as an NGO because of its tsunami relief […]
Matrugramam – creating self-reliant villages
20 September 2005 — Alappad Panchayat, Kollam District, Kerala For anyone who has been following the evolution of the Ashram’s tsunami-relief work, it is clear that Amma’s intention is […]
88 houses in Cuddalore handed over to recipients
4 September 2005 — Pudukuppam, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu Today Swami Ramakrishnananda handed over the keys to 88 new homes to the government official, who, in turn, presented the […]
First 25 Tsunami homes finished in Kanyakumari
28 August 2005 — Parapattru, Kalkulam Taluk, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu The Ashram has finished the construction of 25 homes for tsunami-affected families in Kanyakumari, the second-most devastated area […]
Amrita Setu – connecting Alappad with Vallikkavu
28 August 2005 — Alappad Panchayat, Kollam District, Kerala Artist’s rendition of the bridge that will connect Alappad and Vallikkavu Anyone who has ever climbed up to the roof […]
All 150 houses in Alappuzha completed
26 August 2005 — Alappuzha District, Kerala The Ashram has finished the construction of all the houses it is building for tsunami victims in the Alappuzha District of Kerala. […]
Amma is the cultural ambassador of India
20 August 2005 — Amritapuri Sri. Therambil Ramakrishnan, the Honourable Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, came to Amritapuri today in order to help the Ashram distribute 300 sewing […]
Brick by brick- rebuilding houses for tsunami victims
19 August 2005 — Vellannathuruthu, Alappad Panchayat, Kollam District, Kerala As the morning sun finds its way through the canopy of coconut trees that shade Vellannathuruthu, a group of […]
88 Houses completed in Cuddalore
16 August 2005 — Pudukuppam, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu On 25 August 2005, the Ashram will hand over the 88 houses it is building in Pudukuppam, Cuddalore District, Tamil […]
Ashram finished first one hundred houses in Kerala
The Ashram is the first NGO in India to finish building houses, based on the government plans, for the tsunami victims.18 July, 2005 at 6.30 pm The Honourable Chief […]
Construction of houses at Samanthampettai, Nagapattinam
13 July 2005 — Samanthampettai, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu Construction of houses for the tsunami victims is progressing at a brisk pace in Samanthampettai, Nagapattinam District. The government of […]
Construction of houses at Pudukuppam, Cuddalore
12 July 2005 — Pudukkuppam, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu The Tamil Nadu Government had allotted three acres of land for the rehabilitation of tsunami victims in Pudukuppam, Cuddalore. Ashram […]
Amrita ISRO – VRC centers
The centers below are connected via satellite network at present. The President of India APJ Abdul Kalam will lauch this on 6th july 2005. (News) Tsunami effected areas: Srayikkad: […]
Amrita joins hands with ISRO for rural development
6 July, 2005 at AMRITA University Campus in Coimbatore Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, a multi-campus, multi-disciplinary University is collaborating with ISRO, India’s foremost agency for space technology and research, to […]
Boats given to fishermen of Tamil Nadu
3 July 2005 — Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu The Honourable Union Finance Minister, Sri. P. Chidambaram, handed more than of 210 brand-new FRP boats, outboard engines and fishing nets to […]
New boats to the tsunami victims
As a part of the tsunami rehabilitation project, 25 newly constructed boats were distributed to villagers in the Kollam and Alappuzha Districts who had lost theirs in the tsunami. […]
Amma s goodness inspired tsunami relief work
26 June 2005, Amritapuri “Amma’s hands of goodness inspired tsunami relief and rehabilitation activities in the state” said Mr. Oommen Chandy, Kerala Chief Minister at a function in Amritapuri. […]
Handing over the keys to the next 89 houses
25 June 2005 The Honourable Chief Minister of Kerala, Sri. Oomen Chandy will be handing over the keys to another 89 houses built for people of Arattupuzha Panchayat, Alappuzha […]
Ashram is a role model in tsunami relief work
18 June 2005 — Varavila, Klappana Panchayat, Kollam District, Kerala oommen chandy receiving key from Amritakripananda puri “I don’t know how to thank Amma for her offer of unconditional […]
Ashram finishes its first 100 houses in Kerala
16 June 2005 — Alappuzha, Ernakulam & Kollam Districts, Kerala The Ashram has finished building a total of 100 houses in Kerala as part of its the tsunami relief […]
An alternative to traditional means of livelihood for the villagers
Amritapuri, 12 June, 2005 Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita: parasparam bhaavayanta param sreyam avaapsyata [‘By nourishing each other, may you attain supreme prosperity’]. As part of the […]
Amma lent support to the kerala government
12 June 2005 — Amritapuri “The government and other organizations were not able to do much to help the tsunami victims, no matter how hard they tried. They were […]
What Government officials say about the Ashram s tsunami relief work
Government of Kerala “In the coming years, India will be known—not for its population of 100 crores or its nuclear power—but for the far-reaching humanitarian activities of Mata Amritanandamayi.” […]
Houses are ready for rehabilitation
30 May 2005 25 houses in the Alappuzha district are ready for habitation. The work on the 125 other houses is about 80 percent over. The ashram is building […]
Ashram holds second camp for tsunami kids
20 – 24 May 2005 — Amritapuri A second educational camp for tsunami-affected children was held at the Ashram, this time for 6,000 kids from the neighboring district of […]
Construction started in Alappad panchayat
Ashram Lays Foundation Stone for Tsunami Housing Project 11 May 2005 — Alappad Panchayat, Kollam District, Kerala The foundation stone for the houses Mata Amritanandamayi Math is building for […]
MOU signed: Ashram to build 160 houses in Sri Lanka
3 May 2005 — Colombo, Sri Lanka Mata Amritanandamayi Math signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Sri Lankan Government on 3rd May at the office of the […]
Tsunami kids take classes
1 May 2005 — Amritapuri Amritapuri was flooded once again, but this time the ashramites were not waist deep in seawater, but in children. Approximately 4,000 children from the […]
History will be the witness for Amma’s service to Tsunami-affected
29 April 2005 The camp conducted by the Mata Amritanandamayi Math for the children affected by the tsunami in Alappad Panchayat concluded today at Amritapuri. The Honourable Minister of […]
Camp for tsunami kids
Ashram Provides spoken english, yoga & sanskrit classes 25 – 29 April 2005 — Amritapuri The tsunami has created a big shock in the minds of the children in […]
Spoken english, yoga, sanskrit classes for Tsunami kids
25 April 2005 The tsunami has created a big shock in the minds of the children in the affected areas. Understanding this, the Amma has been providing them with […]
First tsunami houses built by Ashram are ready
11 April 2005 — Mayabazar in Edavanakkad, Ernakulam District, Kerala The first 18 tsunami-relief houses built by the Ashram were finished today. Complete with red-oxide cement floors, electricity, plumbing […]
Houses are ready in Ernakulam
6 April 2005 Concreating, plastering, wiring & painting of 18 homes are almost finished. Construction of the rest of the 32 houses are underway in Edavanakkad, Ernakulam District, Kerala […]
Healing through song: Music therapy for Tsunami survivors
2 April 2005 — Srayikkad Tsunami Relief Camp, Alappad Panchayat, Kollam District, Kerala On April 2nd a small group of Amma’s devotees from the West and counselors visited the […]
Providing hope to mourning mothers
30 March 2005, Amritapuri In the midst of such loss and tragedy, it is hard to say who has suffered the most. Out of all those affected by the […]
Tsunami alert at Amritapuri
29 March 2005, 12.30 a.m. — Amritapuri At 10:30 p.m. on 28 March, the Ashram received the news that there had been another earthquake off the coast of Indonesia, […]
A delightful game for those who know swimming
16 March 2005 — Amritapuri The 30 children from Alappad who are currently taking swimming lessons in the Ashram swimming pool came to Amma with a desire: Would Amma […]
The water is a delightful game
16 March 2005 — Amritapuri The 30 children from Alappad who are currently taking swimming lessons in the Ashram swimming pool came to Amma with a desire: Would Amma […]
Buoyancy experiences: teaching tsunami kids how to swim
15 March 2005 — Amritapuri It was only a week after the tsunami that Amma first mentioned Her idea of providing swimming lessons for the village children in the […]
A different kind of party
Japanese College Students Build Houses for Tsunami victims 13 March 2005 — Edavanakkad, Ernakulam District, Kerala Ask your average college student what he or she intends to do on […]
Bringing happiness & samskara into the lives of the Tsunami children
12 March 2005 — Alappad Panchayat, Kollam District, Kerala Every morning after breakfast you see him—with his book-bag slung around his shoulder, pedalling off the Ashram grounds on his […]
Lions & tigers came for Ammas darshan
19 February 2005, Sri Lanka When Amma visited the Tamil tsunami-relief camp in the Ampara district of Sri Lanka on 17th February, 15 Tamil Tigers—soldiers of the LTTE (Liberation […]
Amma consoles tsunami affected in Sri Lanka
16 – 19 February 2005 — Sri Lanka Amma met with President Chandrika Kumaratunge on 18 February at the President’s residence in Colombo. Amma told the president that She […]
Desharaksha puja in Azhikkal
16 February 2005 — Azhikkal Village, Alappad Panchayat, Kerala After giving darshan in tsunami relief camps in Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu, Amma travelled all night to reach the Ashram […]
Amma provides 3 crores in Tsunami relief aid to Sri Lanka
16 February 2005 — Colombo, Sri Lanka At a press conference today in Colombo, Amma announced that the Mata Amritanandamayi Center will be providing three crores Indian rupees in […]
Amma to console Sri Lankans
15 February 2005 At the request of the people and government of Sri Lanka, Amma is visiting the island country from 16 to 19 February. Amma will visit and […]
They had come to give
14 February 2005 — Karaikkal, Pondicherry Amma was in Karaikkal, giving darshan to the villagers who had been waiting patiently for their turn to come. Rice was also being […]
Amma inspires Nagapattinam
14 February 2005 — Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu Amma visited several tsunami-hit areas in Nagapattinam on the 13th and 14th. There were no formal programmes. Nothing had been arranged by […]
When Amma adopts a village
13 February 2005 — Samanthampettai, Nagore Village, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu When a child is hurt sometimes he doesn’t cry… until he sees his mother. However many tears the […]
Just your blessings…
13 February 2005 — Lechakkupam, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu Amma had been visiting tsunami relief camps from the morning itself. Many a times those with Her had tried to […]
The Wisdom of Tsunami
12 February 2005 — Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, en route from Bangalore to Nagapattinam “My house, my life, my belongings, my children—all disappeared in the blink of an eye,” Amma […]
Build only 50 houses, says the Govt.
2 Feb 2005, Amritapuri The State Government of Kerala is initially allowing the Ashram to rebuild only 50 houses in Alappad Panchayat. This is in response to the Ashram’s […]
Employment & Medical counselling
1 February 2005 The Ashram gave Mukundan Vatakke Attathu of Azhikkal a hand-pedelled tricycle. Mukundan lost everything in the tsunami. His leg was amputated before. His son, who is […]
Kerala CM meets Amma regarding on tsunami proposal
30 January 2005 — Amritapuri Hoping to get the reconstruction plan the Ashram has submitted to the government authorised, Amma held a meeting with Sri. Oommen Chandy, the Chief […]
Ashram presents house plan to the govt
Jan 29 2005 The Ashram presented a new house plan to the Kerala Government. The plan consists of two bed rooms, a kitchen, dining hall and a toilet on […]
Consoling the distraught in Sri Lanka
28 January 2005 — Sri Lanka Among the people coming for Amma’s darshan in Amritapuri have been a number from Sri Lanka, the tiny island country a stone’s throw […]
Advaita & the Tsunami
28 January 2005 , Amritapuri Advaita it is such a simple word. It means “not two.” But within this simple conjunction is cradled the entirety of spirituality. It is […]
“My hands have been tied”
26 January 2005 ,Amritapuri Today marks one month. One month since the tsunami came. One month since everything changed for millions in South East Asia. 250,000—this is the death […]
Sri Lankan government invites Amma to bring peace to the island
22 January 2005 — Colombo, Sri Lanka Sri. K.N. Douglas Devananda—the Honourable Minister of Agricultural Marketing Development, Co-operative Development, Hindu Affairs and Minister Assisting Education and Vocational Training—invited Her […]
Amma, please come to Nagapattinam
20 January 2005 — Amritapuri Some 15 villagers from the Nagapattinam District of Tamil Nadu came to Amritapuri. The fishermen asked Amma to help them overcome their fear of […]
Tsunami, Population Explosion & Kali Yuga
20 January 2005 — Amritapuri The good news is, according to some estimations, we’ve already completed 5,107 years of Kali Yuga. The bad news is we have 426,893 more […]
Ashram continues money distribution
18 January 2005 Ashram continued its distribution of Rs. 1,000 to families of Alappad today, serving the remaining six wards of the panchayat. At the request of tsunami volunters […]
Helping to celebrate Pongal
16 January 2005 — Tamil Nadu “When bad times come, it’s very common to hear women crying, but not men. Here, the men are crying like anything. They can’t […]
Tsunami relief in Chennai
16 January 2005 The Ashram has adopted three villages in Chennai. They are Kovalam (2000 families), Pudunemelli (62 families) and Daeveneri (190 families). The Ashram is feeding some 7,500 […]