24 August 022, Faridabad, Hayana
– Amrita Hosptial inauguration
Today, the new 2,600-bed Amrita Hospital in Faridabad, spread across 130 acres, was inaugurated by the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the divine presence of Amma. Once fully operational, it will be India’s largest private hospital {news}.
The inauguration was attended by many dignitaries as well as medical professionals and educators from India and abroad. Thousands of people from Delhi, Faridabad and the surrounding villages were in attendance, along with Amma’s devotees, who had come from all over the world to witness the historic moment.
Upon arriving at the hospital’s atrium, Amma and the Prime Minister together lit a ceremonial lamp while the Amritapuri ashram kids were chanting Vedic mantras. Afterwards, he had a private meeting with Amma.
The Prime Minister then formally inaugurated the hospital, saying: “This hospital is a blend of modernity and spirituality and will become a medium of accessible and affordable treatment for needy patients. It is incomparable from every aspect, be it the building and modern technology or the spirit of compassion and care. It is an amalgamation of spiritual consciousness and offerings of the modern world.”
He added: “Amma is the embodiment of love, compassion, service, and sacrifice. She is the carrier of India’s spiritual traditions. I salute her for giving us the nectar of her blessings in the shape of Amrita Hospital at Faridabad.”
Amma started her address saying “On this occasion, Amma’s heartfelt prayer is this: “May everyone have good health. May no one forget the power of God. May everyone love and serve their fellow beings and protect nature to the best of their ability. May everyone in the world be happy and peaceful. Oṁ lokaḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu.”
In her address, which was translated into Hindi, Amma said: “Illness creates a state of desperate unhappiness. So, more than anyone, it is those suffering from illness who need our patient and loving care. Hospitals are their sole refuge, shelter, and sanctuary. As far as the patient is concerned, the doctor is God’s visible form because they are the ones who are able to give the patients some relief when they are in pain. Due to this, all those serving at the hospital—be it the doctors, nurses, or other employees—should always have a heartfelt smile on their lips. They should be people who can speak pleasant words. Their eyes, words and touch should be gentle and kind. They should be good listeners and must be able to work with patients bearing in mind their mental state.”
Amma continued: “Never waste any opportunity to serve. The entire world looks up to those who have the heart to do selfless service. We should not leave Mother Earth with scars. On the contrary, we should leave Mother Earth with flowers bedecked in her hair.”
Speaking to the strong research focus at the new hospital, Amma said: “In our university, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, there are many disciplines of study, such as engineering, computer science, biotechnology, nanotechnology and medicine. And all these disciplines have excellent research facilities. If all of them come together and conduct research in a multidisciplinary style, there will be nothing we cannot accomplish.”
As part of the inaugural ceremony, a two day “International Summit in Health Innovation: Grand Challenges & Global Collaborations” {news} was held. Chancellors, presidents, clinicians, and professors from top-ranked international medical schools met to discuss global challenges in healthcare. Several global research leaders from Harvard, Stanford, University of California San Diego, University of California Davis, State University of New York at Buffalo, University of Arizona, and others came in person, delivered keynote addresses and led panel discussions.
After the ceremonies, Amma did what she does every day – embracing one and all who came to her, sharing in their sorrows and their joys. It was a fitting end to a day that was, from the first rays of dawn, about embracing good health in all its many forms. For with this hospital, Amma has given another great gift to the world – a hospital dedicated to healing the sick, helping the needy, and advancing the cause of medical science.
-Kannadi
