Year: 2024

Amrita Initiatives: Transforming Lives and Communities

Amrita Initiatives are dedicated to uplifting communities and transforming lives through a variety of impactful programs. We focus on providing compassionate healthcare, ensuring quality education, promoting sustainable living, and fostering spiritual growth. Our mission is to empower individuals, improve well-being, and create lasting positive change. Join us in our journey to make a difference and build a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone.

Healthcare

Empowering Wellness Since 1987

OVER 73 LAKH BENEFICIARIES WORLDWIDE

YOGA AND MEDITATION PROGRAMS

Providing Dignity in End-of-Life Care

1995 – MUMBAI CANCER HOSPICE

Offering Free Care to Terminal Cancer Patients.

Ensuring Dignity and Compassion in their Final days.

Provides Pain Management and Emotional Support.

Provides Free Medicine, Rice and other Food items to the Poor

Books are also Regularly Distributed to Impoverished Children.

1996 – AMRITA KRIPA CHARITABLE HOSPITALS

Starting with One Hospital in Kerala, now Expanded to Five across India.

Free and Affordable Healthcare to Underserved Communities.

Made Quality Medical Services Accessible to All.

Caring for Pilgrims and the Needy

1997 – SABRIMALA PILGRIMAGE HEALTH CAMPMRITA HOSPITAL KOCHI

• 45 Specialist Doctors, Paramedics and Volunteers
• Emergency Care
• 6 ICU beds
• Cardiology
• Orthopaedics
• General Medicine
• Free Medications

What began as a Health Camp has become a       Mini-Hospital during the Annual Pilgrimage, offering Round-the-Clock Specialist Care to Thousands of Pilgrims.

Leading in Medical Excellence

1998 – AMRITA HOSPITAL KOCHI

From a 115-bed facility to a 1,350-bed institution, Amrita Hospital is synonymous with High-quality, Affordable healthcare. Our doctors conduct over 100 Free Health Camps annually in remote regions.

Connecting Remote Areas with Telemedicine

2002 – TELEMEDICINE PROGRAM

Amrita Hospital, Kochi partnering with ISRO brings advanced medical consultations to the most remote areas using mobiles and satellite technology, bridging the gap between urban and rural healthcare and easily reaches Patients, Doctors and Surgeons in Remote Locations.

Supporting HIV/AIDS Patients

2003 – THIRUVANANTHAPURAM CLINIC

Providing free medical and social support to people living with HIV/AIDS, this clinic is a beacon of hope and care.

Reaching the Unreachable

2008 – MOBILE HEALTH BUSES

Amrita Hospital’s first Mobile Health Bus was launched with two specific tasks:

• Health camps for people in villages and remote locations

• Emergency response to provide medical treatment when disasters strike

Today, thereare Five vehicles equipped with Advanced facilities, including scan technologies and mini-operation theatres

Restoring Sight in Africa

20111 – OPHTHALMOLOGY PROGRAM IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

In partnership with Spanish ophthalmologists and optometrists, we perform free cataract surgeries and provide eyeglasses, giving the gift of sight to thousands in vulnerable communities. Over 8,300 surgeries and 35,400 eyeglasses provided since 2011.

Training Health Heroes

2017 – HEALTHCARE WORKER TRAINING

Training 70 healthcare workers in rural and isolated areas across India, enhancing local healthcare capabilities and empowering communities.

Expanding Our Reach

2022 – AMRITA HOSPITAL FARIDABAD

India’s largest private hospital with 2,600 beds, offering high-quality, affordable care and free treatment for the poor. Since its opening, it has become a cornerstone of advanced medical care and compassion.

CHARITABLE IMPACT

As of 2022, Amma’s healthcare initiatives have provided over ₹816 crore ($105 million) in charitable medical care, reaching 59 lakh patients.

Every contribution helps us extend our reach and continue providing essential healthcare services to those who need it most. Together, we can bring hope and healing to countless lives.

JOIN US IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE TODAY!!

“There are two types of poverty in the world. The first type is due to the lack of food, clothing and shelter. The second type is the poverty of love and compassion. We need to deal with the second type of poverty first. If we have love and compassion, we will wholeheartedly serve and help those who lack food, clothing and shelter.”

– Amma

1989: Nurturing Hope

In 1989, the Ashram took on the stewardship of an orphanage in Kerala on the brink of closure, where children languished in malnutrition and substandard conditions.

Transformation and Care

With a deep commitment to their well-being, Amma spearheaded a complete overhaul of the facilities, turning Amrita Niketan into a nurturing haven for 500 children today.

Holistic Development

At Amrita Niketan, children receive not just loving care but also nutritious meals, top-tier education, and training in traditional arts, fostering holistic growth and empowerment.

Building Homes, Building Lives Since 1996, Amma’s initiatives have led to the construction of over 47,000 homes across Bharat and Sri Lanka, offering shelter to families and disaster survivors, complete with essential amenities

Dignity for Elders

In 2003, the first of five care homes opened their doors, providing shelter and dignity to impoverished elderly individuals. Today, these homes stand as beacons of compassionate care in multiple locations.

Global Outreach

Beyond Bharat’s borders, Amma’s compassion extends to Kenya, where a care center supports 160 children from underprivileged backgrounds, offering not just sustenance but also education and healthcare.

Strengthening Communities with Energy

In 2014, a tribal village in Kerala found light through a solar microgrid, empowering villagers with training in sustainable energy management. This initiative has since blossomed, lighting up rural Bharat with 40 self-sustaining grids across 13 villages.

Creating Sustainable Futures

These initiatives not only transform lives but also pave the way for sustainable futures, embodying Amma’s vision of holistic, compassionate, and sustainable development.

“Men and women are of equal value, like two wings of a bird. For without the two in perfect harmony, humanity cannot progress.”

– Amma

2003: Initiation of Vocational and Literacy Training

• Focus: Uplifting the poorest sections of society
• Priority Groups: Women, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and people below the poverty line

2003-Present: Expansion of Training Centers

• Current Reach: Five main centers in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha
• Impact: More than 74,000 people

2003: Mass Marriages and Sari Distribution

• Mass Marriages: Conducted as part of Amma’s 50th birthday celebrations
  • Provisions: Clothing, gold ornaments, and puja items
  • Stipulation: No dowry from the bride’s family
• Sari Distribution: Reaching 5 lakh women annually across Bharat, especially in villages

2005: Formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

• Encouragement: Women across Bharat to form SHGs
• Support: Start-up capital, vocational training, and micro-loans
• Annual Gatherings: District-level anniversary celebrations
• Current Reach: Over 2 lakh members in 13,500 SHGs
• Aid Distribution: Financial aid, food, and clothing kits

2006: Lifetime Pensions

• Beneficiaries: 1 lakh people, including widows, women in poverty, and people with disabilities

2008: National Literacy Mission-UNESCO Award

• Achievement: Awarded for adult literacy work in Tamil Nadu

2008: Computerized Vocational Training

• Focus: Life-enrichment education with a special emphasis on women
• Access: Thousands of women annually, across more than 30 centers throughout Bharat

2009: Preservation of Traditional Arts and Crafts

• Initiative: Amrita Shilpa Kalakshetra, a school to restore traditional arts and crafts
• Mission: Preserving Bharat’s cultural heritage

2009: Vocational Training in Nairobi, Kenya

• Beneficiaries: Young people from poor families

2014: Support for Fishermen’s Families

• Provision: ₹1 lakh to families of fishermen who lost their lives at sea
• Impact: Bridging basic supplies and finding new ways to earn

2015: Women in Plumbing

• Initiative: Training women in rural Bharat to become plumbers
• Impact: Building toilets and addressing sanitation, women’s health, and water management
• Partnership: United Nations

2019: Skill Development for Rural Youth

• Partnership: Government of Bharat
• Focus: Free skill development programs for socially marginalized and disadvantaged rural youth
• Duration: Provided training across five states until 2022

Cross-Cutting Sustainable Development

2013: Amrita Self-Reliant Villages (Amrita SeRVe)

• Adoption: 101 impoverished villages throughout Bharat
• Focus Areas:
  • Health
  • Water & Sanitation
  • Education
  • Agriculture
  • Income Generation
  • Eco-friendly Infrastructure
  • Self-empowerment
• Alignment: United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Presently, volunteers with Amma’s initiatives span continents— India, Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, and Europe—serving nutritious meals to over 1 crore people annually, spreading hope and nourishment.

1995

1995: Nourishing Communities

In 1995, Amma embarked on an initiative to provide nutritious food to impoverished communities across Bharat, a journey that began with a vision to uplift lives through sustenance.

Extending to Remote Areas

This initiative swiftly extended its reach into remote tribal areas, focusing on distributing essentials like milk, rice, and other basic necessities vital for sustaining life.

Global Inspiration

Since its inception, Amma’s devotees worldwide have been deeply inspired, actively volunteering at local food banks and soup kitchens, fostering a culture of service and compassion.

Empowering Communities

Over the years, many devotees have initiated their own projects, contributing to the cause by providing food and essential supplies to those in need, echoing Amma’s spirit of selfless giving.

2017

Jivamritam – Safe Water for All

In 2017, Amma launched Jivamritam, a monumental project aimed at building filtration systems to ensure safe drinking water for 5,000 villages across Bharat.

Tailored Solutions

Teams at Amrita University meticulously designed these systems, ensuring they adapt seamlessly to each location’s unique requirements, guaranteeing access to clean, potable water.

Empowering Change

With a projected cost of ₹100 crore ($15.7 million), Jivamritam aspires to provide safe water to 1 crore people, catalyzing positive change and enhancing lives through the gift of water.

1989 – Innovating Waste Management Practices Since 1989, Amrita centres worldwide have been pioneering innovative waste management practices. In Bharat (India), Amrita’s hospitals, university campuses, and schools have consistently practiced comprehensive recycling and composting, setting a benchmark for sustainable living.

2004 – Supporting Local Bee Populations In 2004, Amrita centres worldwide began beekeeping initiatives to support their local bee populations. Alongside beekeeping, these centres also engaged in gardening, farming, and permaculture, promoting ecological balance and sustainable agriculture.

2010 – Launch of the Amala Bharatam Campaign (ABC) In 2010, Amma launched the Amala Bharatam Campaign (ABC) to create a clean and beautiful Bharat. Today, this initiative organizes 1,700 annual clean-up drives in public spaces across the country. Inspired by Amma, volunteers have also initiated clean-up drives in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, and Europe.

2011 – Sabarimala Pilgrimage and Pampa River Clean-Up In 2011, Amala Bharatam volunteers undertook the significant task of picking up trash along the Sabarimala Pilgrimage and the Pampa River. This 4 km trek through dense forests is one of Kerala’s most sacred sites. Cleanup drives continued yearly until 2017, with a total of 20,035 volunteers collecting 2.1 lakh (212,000) bags of trash.

“Our earth is serving us. The sun, the moon and the stars all serve us. What can we do in return for their selfless service?”

– Amma

2015 – Major Environmental Contributions In 2015, Amma contributed ₹100 crore ($15 million) to the Government of Bharat’s Namami Gange project, aimed at cleaning the Ganges River. That same year, Amma initiated the construction of 12,000 toilets as part of a ₹100 crore ($15 million) project in villages across Kerala. Additionally, Amma’s tree-planting initiative became a member of the UN Billion Tree Campaign, with over 10 lakh trees planted worldwide.

2023 – Global Seedball Campaign Amma launched the Global Seedball Campaign in 2023, as part of the Civil 20 during Bharat’s G20 Presidency. Seedballs, which are mixes of seeds, soil, and other organic materials from local ecosystems, are scattered in areas to support the restoration of forests and other plant-life. The Indian Navy joined this campaign, dispersing more than 5 lakh seedballs at various bases via helicopter. The goal is to reach and rejuvenate fragile habitats worldwide.

“Nature, human beings, everything is disturbed both inside and outside. It is as if Nature is surrounded by people holding her at gunpoint. Let us all pray that everyone may live in peace and there be no more tragedies.”

– Amma

1993 – Earthquake in Maharashtra

• Provided food, blankets, shelter, and medicines to the affected.

2001 – Earthquake in Gujarat

• Dispatched emergency medical teams immediately.
• Initiated long-term relief efforts, rebuilding three villages in Bhuj from the ground up.
  • Constructed 1,200 homes and a community health center.
  • Built a temple, a church, and a mosque for the villagers.

2004 – Indian Ocean Tsunami

• Contributed ₹200 crore ($46 million) in relief efforts.
• Provided immediate medical aid, food, and shelter.
• Constructed 6,200 tsunami-resistant homes for long-term rehabilitation.
• Donated 700 new fishing boats and provided vocational training for 2,500 survivors.
• Built an evacuation bridge.

2004 – Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu School Fire

• Sent counselling teams immediately following the tragic fire that killed 92 children and severely burned more than 18 others.
• Built 51 homes for affected families without proper shelter.

Indian Ocean Tsunami – Kerala & Tamil Nadu, 2004

$46 million aid package for tsunami survivors

2005 – Hurricane Katrina, USA

• Donated $1 million to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund.

2005 – Kashmir Earthquake

• Provided food, blankets, shelter, and 3 tons of medicines.

2005 – 2008 – Flood Relief

• Contributed ₹10 crore ($1.5 million) in medical aid, food, supplies, and shelter after floods in Mumbai, Gujarat, and Bihar.

2009 – Floods in Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh

• Offered a ₹100 crore ($21 million) relief package, including medical care, basic supplies, and the construction of 1,000 new homes.

2010 – Haiti Earthquake

• Sent medical supplies and materials to construct shelters.
• Provided scholarships for children as part of long-term relief.

2011 – Japan Earthquake & Tsunami

• Delivered immediate food and shelter.
• Donated $1 million in scholarships for orphans as part of long-term relief.

Cyclone Ockhi – Kerala, Tamil Nadu, 2017

Rushing to the aid of fisher families

2012 – Kannur, Kerala LPG Tanker Explosion

• Provided ₹1 lakh to each family who lost a loved one and ₹50,000 to those injured.

2012 – Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu Fireworks Factory Explosion

• Contributed ₹1 lakh to each family who lost a loved one and ₹50,000 to those injured.

2013 – Uttarakhand Flash Floods

• Donated ₹100 crore ($16 million) in aid for house construction and community rebuilding.

2013 – Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines

• Provided immediate food and shelter.
• Allocated $1 million for 530 orphaned children to complete high school.

2013 – Landslides in Idukki, Kerala

• Provided ₹1 lakh to each family who lost loved ones due to the fatal landslides triggered by heavy monsoons.

2014 – Floods in Jammu & Kashmir

• Offered ₹30 crore ($5 million) in medical care, essential supplies, homes for the displaced, and monetary aid for widows.

Kerala Flood Relief – 2018

24-hour helpline at Amrita University saves lives

2015 – Nepal Earthquake

• Delivered food, blankets, shelter, and 2 tons of medicines.

2015 – Floods in Chennai

• Assisted with evacuation, food, and medicine.
• Donated ₹5 crore ($750,000) to the Tamil Nadu government for flood relief.

2016 – Earthquake in Italy

• Constructed a new community hall in Valfornace, officially handed over to Mayor Massimo Citracca in 2019.

2017 – Cyclone Ockhi

• Provided ₹1 lakh for each family who lost a fisherman at sea, relief camps, free medical treatment, and rebuilding homes.
• Donated ₹2 crore ($310,800) to Kerala State’s Cyclone Ockhi special relief fund.

2018 – Monsoon Floods, Kerala

• Offered ₹10 crore ($1.4 million) in emergency services and long-term rehabilitation.
• Organized relief camps and rescue operations throughout the state.
• 400 volunteers ran a 24-hour emergency helpline, receiving over 25,000 calls and reaching more than 1 lakh people in five days.

Ukrainian Refugee Support

Immediate aid for refugees displaced by the war in Ukraine

Covid-19 Relief – Worldwide, 2020-2021

Physical, mental and economic aid for those affected by covid-19

2019 – Pulwama Terror Attack

• Provided ₹5 lakh (US $6,000) to each family of the 40 CRPF personnel killed by a suicide bomber in Jammu & Kashmir.

2019 – Monsoon Floods, Kerala

• Organized relief camps and rescue operations, especially in Wayanad and Idukki.
• Provided ₹1 lakh to families who lost a loved one.

2020-2022 – COVID-19 Pandemic

• Contributed ₹85 crore ($10 million) in medical treatment, economic relief, and vaccinations in Bharat.
• In April 2020, donated ₹13 crore to support the Government in combating and containing the virus.
• Donated ₹10 crore to the Central Government’s PM CARES Fund and ₹3 crore to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.
• Assisted with outreach in villages, aiding migrant workers and children’s education.
• Provided financial aid and basic supplies to women’s self-help groups to bridge the economic fallout.
• Volunteers supported communities worldwide by distributing basic needs to the poor, elderly, and people with disabilities.
• M.A. Centre Barcelona provided food worth $240,000 to 4,800 families affected by COVID-19.
• The Red Cross Catalonia awarded Amma Spain a Certificate of Merit for its efforts.

2022 – The Ukraine War

• Assisted thousands of people crossing the borders at Poland and Romania, providing basic needs, shelter, and contacts for refugees.
• Coordinated donations for essential aid and provided accommodation to refugees through Amma’s centres across Europe.

2023 – The Ukraine War

• Donated €115,000 to UN Women in Europe to support women and children in Ukraine.
• Created four ‘Safe Spaces for Women and Children’ centres in war-torn areas to support the displaced.

2024 – Floods in Tamil Nadu

• Provided supplies for basic needs to 8,800 households in 12 villages in Thoothukudi.
• Each family received a package including clothing, rice, and various groceries

Education with spiritual values transforms youth into highly capable and intelligent forces of goodness, compassion and service.

– Amma

1995: Empowering Through Education

In 1995, Amma’s initiatives launched an after-school tutoring program for children in villages and urban slums across Bharat, opening doors to brighter futures.

1996: Amrita Speech and Hearing Improvement School

A year later, in Thrissur, Kerala, the Amrita Speech and Hearing Improvement School began using scientific methods to teach hearing-impaired children to speak, transforming their lives with the gift of communication.

2007: Scholarships for Economically Challenged Children

Amma introduced a scholarship program in 2007, offering hope and opportunities to children from economically challeneged families and communities affected by disasters. Today, over 55,000 children across Bharat, Haiti, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Spain have benefited from this support.

2009: Amrita Institute for Differently Abled

The Amrita Institute for Differently Abled opened two schools in 2009, dedicated to students with Down’s Syndrome, epilepsy, autism, and other intellectual disabilities, providing specialized education and care.

Amma is deeply committed to providing quality education regardless of economic status, gender, or race. From primary school to PhD programs, Amma’s educational institutions focus on inculcating universal human values and a commitment to service alongside rigorous academics.

2013: Digital Education Initiative

In 2013, a digital education program was launched using tablets to encourage school attendance in rural Bharat. This program has since reached more than 10,000 children in 59 villages across 21 states.

2015: Empowering Women in Haiti

Amma’s initiatives began providing six annual bursaries in Haiti in 2015, enabling women from poor communities to study computer engineering and allied subjects at a technical institute. Additionally, funding supports a daycare center for the children of all students enrolled at the college.

2018: Empowering Tribal Adolescents

Since 2018, a program aimed at empowering tribal adolescent boys and girls has been in place. These student ambassadors spread social awareness, addressing issues such as substance abuse, nutrition, and the value of education within their communities.

2024: Adopting a Rural School in Mexico

In 2024, Amma adopted a rural school in the Toluca district of Mexico, a community facing the multifaceted challenges of endemic poverty. This project provides children with basic needs and educational supplies, nurturing their growth and development.

Tamil Nadu

• Amritapuram (Rameshwaram, Ramanathapuram Dt.)
• Panagudi (Rosmiyapuram, Valliyoor, Tirunelveli Dt.)
• Amirpalayam (Sattur, Virdunagar Dt.)
• Scavengers Colony (Sivakasi, Virdunagar Dt.)
• Aruppukkottai (Virdunagar Dt.)
• Kollencode, Kaliyakavila, Marthandam, Kuzhitturai, Kulachel, and Kanyakumari (Kanyakumari Dt.)
• Ettimadai, Nallampalayam, and Madukkarai (Coimbatore Dt.)
• Arikkambedu, Vellanur, Ambathur, Avadi, and Maduravoyal (Tiruvallur Dt.)
• Karikattukupam, Ernavur, and Kovalam (Chennai)
• Ramabelur, Pinjumedu, and Satyamangalam (Erode Dt.)
• Kumbakonam
• Pudukuppam
• Villages in Cuddalore, Kanyakumari, and Nagappatinam Districts

Kerala

• More than 20,000 houses spread across Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kannur, Kasargode, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur, Trivandrum, Kodungallur, and Wayanad
• Village colonies in Trivandrum (Airport Colony) and Kochi (Ambulangal)
• Villages and individual houses in Ernakulam, Alappuzha, and Kollam

Karnataka

• Hirisave (C.R. Pattana, Hassan Dt.)
• Mulki (Mangalore Dt.)
• Hosahalli (Mandya Dt.)
• Madhuvanahalli (K.R. Taluk, Mysore Dt.)
• Gandhi Nagar (Mysore Dt.)
• Gokulam (Mysore Dt.)
• Dongrampura and Dirampur (Raichur Dt.)

Andhra Pradesh

• Gudimalkapur (Medipatnam, Hyderabad Dt.)
• Film Nagar (Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad Dt.)
• Amrita Nagar (Pradhatur, Cuddapah Dt.)

Puducherry

• Kairakal
• Near Deepak Cables
• Puducherry Taluk

West Bengal

• Puljour Amaravathi and Bidhan Nagar (Durgapur Dt.)
• Amritabati Housing Colony (Durgapur Dt.)
• Panihatti (Kolkata Dt.)

Rajasthan

• Sanghaneer (Jaipur)

Uttar Pradesh

• Telibagh (Lucknow – New Brindavan Yojana Dt.)
• Koraon (Mirzapur Dt.)
• Pratap Nagar (Ghaziabad Dt.)

Madhya Pradesh

• Piplani, near SOS Village (Bhopal Dt.)

Gujarat

• Dagara, Mokhana, and Modsar (Bhuj, Kutch Dt.)

Maharashtra

• Ajanta Nagar (PCMC, Pune Dt.)

Uttarakhand

• Batwadi Sonar and Chandrapuri (Rudraprayag Dt.)

Odisha

• Baleshwar
• Bhubaneshwar

Andaman Island

• Bamboo Flat and Austinabad (South Andaman)

Sri Lanka

• Thekkawatta (Kalutara District, Western Province)
• Periyanilavanai (Ampara District, Eastern Province)