Amritavarsham 71 — Amma's 71st birthday — was, like every year, dedicated to service. On this auspicious day the Mata Amritanandamayi Math unveiled a major disaster-relief initiative for landslide-prone Wayanad, Kerala.
The July 30, 2024 landslides in Punjirimattom, Mundakkai, Chooralmala and Vellarimala claimed more than 400 lives, injured around 400 people and left 118 missing. In response, Amma pledged an aid package of ₹15 crores (about $1.8 million) to support survivors and strengthen the region's disaster resilience.
At the heart of the effort, Amrita University will deploy its AI-enabled Amrita Landslide Early Warning System (A-LEWS) in Wayanad's most vulnerable areas. The system has provided real-time warnings in the Western Ghats and Northeastern Himalayas since 2009. "Amma's approach to any situation, including disasters, is action endowed with compassion," said Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, adding that Amma wishes survivors to transcend immediate relief.
The day also featured Mangalyasudha, free mass marriages conducted by the Math so that financial constraints never keep couples from beginning their life together. Amma herself conducted the ceremony, with jewelry and wedding attire for every bride and groom sponsored by the Ashram.
