26 September 2026, Amritapuri – AmritaVarsham 73 | Vishwa Seva Dinam
Union Home Minister Amit Shah was the chief guest at the inaugural programme of Amma’s 73rd birthday celebrations at Amritapuri on September 26. Inaugurating the two-day celebration, he spoke of Amma’s lifelong commitment to selfless service and the inspiration her life has given to people around the world.
“We all are busy with various responsibilities, but when we reach Amma’s presence, we forget all that and become simply human. I take pride in that realisation. Whenever a sensitive person comes to this holy land of Amritapuri, the attitude they feel towards Amma is exactly that of a child towards its mother,” he said.
“Only one thought comes to my mind—a sense of gratitude towards Amma and her devotees. Today, we are celebrating Amma’s birthday as Vishwa Seva Dinam. For someone who has taken a life vow to wipe the tears of the oppressed and sorrowful for more than five decades, it is only natural that her birthday is celebrated as Vishwa Seva Dinam.”
Shah also handed over ₹2 crore in financial assistance to the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, which was received by Shri Ranoj Pegu, Minister of Education, Government of Assam. He handed over certificates to beneficiaries of free surgeries and medical care and presented the Amritakeerti Puraskar, instituted by the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, to Adv. P. S. Sreedharan Pillai for his contributions to spirituality, philosophy, science and literature.
Addressing the large gathering in the temporary pandal, Shah reflected on the role of personalities like Amma in society.
“What is the importance of personalities like Amma in society? There are various governments, panchayats, corporations, and legal systems in the world that help hold society together. But the empathy and compassion found in Amma’s presence—Amma as the embodiment of compassion—is what truly unites us all,” he said.
He spoke of the inspiration that Amma’s life has given to people around the world.
“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.’”
Recalling his previous meetings with Amma, Shah said that he had received her darshan on September 27, 2015, April 3, 2016, and June 4, 2023.
“Now I have come for the fourth time. I consider receiving Amma’s blessing today, on this Vishwa Seva Dinam, a very big achievement in my life,” he said.
Shah recalled the devastating earthquake in Gujarat in 2001 and said that it was during that period that he first encountered Amma’s compassion.
“She built 1,200 houses there so beautifully that she established an entire village. A small town hall, a place for education, a hospital, and everything else—ranging from water supply to drainage. And today, when a state transport bus goes there, the conductor rings the bell saying ‘Amma’s Village,’ and that has become its identity.”
He also highlighted the free medical services being launched as part of Vishwa Seva Dinam.
“Today from this stage, the auspicious beginning of free medical operations worth Rs. 20 crores has begun for people who cannot afford it. We just witnessed certificates being handed over to 50 beneficiaries right from here. This explains the inner essence of Seva Dinam. But for Amma, Seva Dinam never ends; her seva continues 365 days a year.”
Reflecting on Amma’s early life and the scope of her humanitarian work, Shah said that when Amma was born on September 27, 1953, in a poor family in a remote village in Kollam district, no one could have imagined the impact her life would have.
“Who knew that this child would become a guide for removing poverty and sorrow from the lives of crores of people? And pave the way to liberation for many more crores of souls? 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.”
Shah described three dimensions of Amma’s life: Bhava, Karma and Karuna.
“If we observe Amma’s life closely, we can analyze it in three ways. We can see deep emotion (Bhava), a profound tendency for action (Karma), and a grand vision of compassion (Karuna) in her life. Spontaneous compassion is a fundamental component of Amma’s personality. Everyone who has experienced the comfort of Amma’s embrace knows that an otherworldly motherhood—the experience of universal motherhood—is felt by everyone who receives it.”
He said that while many people engage in selfless service, Amma had made selfless service the foundation of her entire life.
“If we look around the world, we can see some people doing a little selfless service now and then. But Amma has made her entire life a selfless service. Amma lives as a continuous stream of selfless service for the whole world. Many people have a sense of service in their lives, but very few people can express it in institutional form. I have no hesitation in saying that Amma not only institutionalized her nature of selfless service, but revered Amma has also transformed it into a global movement.”
Shah also referred to the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign being carried out under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“The drug-free India mission being carried out under the leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has also received Amma’s blessings. I believe that with her blessings, this entire country will become drug-free, and we will definitely achieve this goal.”
Referring to the scriptural ideal of Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya, for the welfare of all and the happiness of the whole world, Shah said, “Amma has internalised this mantra and lived her entire life on that very path.”
Concluding his address, Shah wished Amma a long life and prayed, “Amma, may your blessings always continue to be available to the poor and distressed all over the world.”
“Vande Mataram”
-Tulasi
