Amrita Mutt works out Rs 50cr package for U'khand

Amritanandamayi Mutt here has worked out a Rs 50 crore package to help people of rain- ravaged Uttarkhand as part of its philanthropic schemes to mark the 60th birthday celebrations of the ashram founder Mata Amritanandamayi Devi beginning tomorrow.
In a brief chat with a group of journalists at her ashram at the coastal hamlet Vallikkavu near here, spiritual leader Amritanandamayi said the scheme formed part of a series of welfare schemes being implemented by the institution to help the poor and needy in various parts of the country.
"We consider it our duty to extend help to the suffering people anywhere. This time, one of the schemes we have worked out is to help the people of Uttarkhand who suffered heavily due to torrential rains and floods," Amritanandamayi, known as "Amma" (mother) among her followers world over, said.

A sanyansin in charge of the project said the schemes on the anvil include building houses in a cluster of villages, construction schools and developing vocational training centres and pension for old women and widows.
"It is a comprehensive package. Though the initial outlay is set at Rs 50 crore it could exceed that over the time," she said.
Though no timeframe for its completion is set, it will start immediately after the birthday celebrations of Amritanandamayi is over.

Apart from humanitarian schemes, several seminars on a host of topics have been planned during the three-day celebrations, titled "Amritavarsham60, to be attended by scientists, social leaders, academics, entrepreneurs and administrators.

Former president A P J Abdul Kalam will inaugurate a seminar tomorrow on "Our Villages, Our World: What Can We Offer".
The guests at various sessions in the next two days include Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, central ministers and governors from various states, a Mutt spokesperson said.