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President of India Hands Over M. A. Math Built Homes

Amritapuri, India
December 18, 2005

His Excellency the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, paid a visit to Amritapuri today. In Amma's presence, His Excellency officially handed over 500 tsunami-relief houses constructed by M. A. Math to the Honorable Minister of Revenue of Kerala, Sri. K.M. Mani for distribution to tsunami victims.

In his speech, His Excellency said: "I have come to Amritapuri a number of times. Amritapuri is the Land of Compassion, the Land of Love, the Land of Beauty. And definitely it is a place that will become a bridge for people of many faiths. And I wish you all the best: the opportunities that Amma is giving, the grace that Amma is giving and all the blessings that Amma is giving for the country and the people of this nation."

"I am very happy to be in the Mata Amritanandamayi Math in the presence of Amma and participate in the inauguration function of 500 newly hundred houses for the tsunami-affected citizens in Kollam District. My greetings to Her Holiness Mata Amritanandamayi and other dignitaries on this occasion."

"It is said that whenever difficult times and calamities occur, the leader will exactly be on the spot of event. It is a divine blessing. When the tsunami occurred in the Kollam region on Dec. 26, 2004, I saw Amma was in action in crucial time, helping the people all around her in that region. At Kollam, Amma acted with speed and took necessary measures to move all the people to the places of safety. Amma entered into the tsunami-affected areas while floodwater was still there and tried her best to rescue as many people as possible from the houses, under the trees, with her team of dedicated devotees. Amma made arrangements for food, shelter and clothing to all the people affected by tsunami. Amma announced the relief package for people affected by tsunami, not only in Kollam region, but also for all the areas in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Pondicherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Sri Lanka. Similarly, when Katrina hit New Orleans, Amma came to the rescue of the people there also and extended her helping hand spontaneously. It shows the magnanimous mind of Amma in removing the pain of the people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, region or nationality."

The 500 houses handed over today by the President brings the total number of tsunami-relief houses completed by the M. A. Math thus far to 2000. The M. A. Math has 4200 more to build before it is finished.

Amma also spoke from the dais. Reflecting on how so many disparate groups of people had volunteered their services for the construction of the Math's tsunami-relief homes, Amma said, "In this world where selfishness prevails, to see such selfless children is a delight for the eye. It is proof that the world has not totally forgotten the language of compassion and selflessness. It is through the mirror of selfless service that human beings are able to behold their own true beauty." (Read Amma's complete message).

In his welcome speech, Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri said, "Here in Alappad Panchayat, Amma has looked after every aspect of the villager's needs: from food, clothing and shelter... to physical and psychological healthcare... to education and employment opportunities.. and much, much more. In fact, I really wonder if any other NGO in the world has ever provided such extensive and in-depth disaster relief - one that touches every aspect of the beneficiaries'; lives."

On several occasions in the past His Excellency has addressed students of the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, and not long after he took office, the President donated his first 10 month's salary to Amma's charitable activities in Rameshwaram.

Other dignitaries present for the occasion were the Honorable Minister of Labor, Sri. Babu Divakaran; the Honorable Minister of Fisheries, Sri. Dominic Presentation; and Advocate Rajan Babu, MLA.

Amma's Message: "Real Prayer is Wiping the Tears of the Distressed"

Given on the occasion of President's visit to Amritapuri
December 18, 2005

Amma is happy to take part in this function of handing over the houses to the children who lost everything in the tsunami tragedy. Amma doesn't feel that she is the one giving these houses. By the grace of the Paramatman (Divine), Amma and her children were able to render at least some service to the suffering.

We are not isolated islands. We are all links of the same chain. All of our actions - whether done intentionally or unintentionally - have an effect on others. If we hold back from changing until others change first, no change will ever take place. But if we are ready to change first, it will effect a change in others as well.

What has taken place in this village is a perfect demonstration of this truth. Since the tsunami struck, through the current day, the Ashram children (residents of M. A. Math, Amritapuri) have been fully engaged in the construction of houses. Seeing their hard work, initially about 10 villagers joined in, soon it became 20, then 100 and, as of late, more than 1000 children from the surrounding villages have been taking part in the construction seva (selfless work).

Women, men and youngsters; followers of all political ideologies and religions; have been happily working hand-in-hand, united in heart. When Amma sees this, her eyes and heart overflow. In this world where selfishness prevails, to see such selfless children is a delight for the eye. It is proof that the world has not totally forgotten the language of compassion and selflessness. It is through the mirror of selfless service that human beings are able to behold their own true beauty.

We might not be able to stop natural disasters like the tsunami from taking place. Though they bring the darkness of sorrow, we should try to light the lamp of optimistic faith. Situations in life might not always turn out in our favor. But we should try to live our life like a river that always flows on regardless of the obstacles before it. Our vision of life should inspire us to live this way. The awareness that God's power is always there supporting us will help us to move forward.

There are certain situations in life that we simply cannot change. But regardless of the situation, we always have the freedom to choose how to respond. If we have the correct attitude, we will be able to progress without breaking down, no matter how difficult a situation may be. If we have the attitude of surrender, we will understand that there is nothing in life to reject. We will have the attitude of acceptance alone. If plants are able to grow from manure and give fragrant flowers in return, if the civet cat and the musk deer can spread sweet fragrances, why can't we transform our lives into flowers that are eternally full and fragrant? Why can't we become like a never-fading rainbow, eternally bring joy to one and all?

Our Rishis (ancient Seers) taught us to love and serve the world, seeing everything as God. Real service is the power that sustains this world. When human beings serve nature, nature serves human beings. When human beings serve the flora and fauna, they serve humankind in return. In life, we should have the attitude of trying to understand and respect each other's feelings. Through selfless service, we should be able to construct a bridge of love that will bring all of us together.

Real prayer is wiping the tears of the distressed. If there is no shoulder for the sorrowful to lay their heads upon, it would be the greatest darkness.

Once the different parts of the body were arguing over which one was the most important. The hand said, "If I weren't here to do all the hard work, then how would all of you be able to eat? "The eyes said, "If it weren't for me, even the greatest man would fall into every hole or ditch. "The tongue said, "After the body dies, all of you will be no more. Only the words that I have uttered will remain. "The argument continued on like this till it became a huge fight. Finally, they had to take the argument to God.

God said, "All of you are definitely very important. However, the most important part is the shoulder."

All the body parts were stunned. "The shoulder? He didn't even mention any of his abilities while we were arguing! So, how did you suddenly feel that he is the greatest?"

God said, "When a person cries, the only place he can rest his head is on someone's shoulder. The shoulder is the greatest because he gives comfort to the sorrowful."

Today we are shouldering the burden of our prarabdha (fruits) of our past actions. Let us offer them to the Paramatman. And let us take up the spirit of self-sacrifice.

May the rest of the lives of the children who suffered so much due to the tsunami be filled with peace and happiness.

Let us pray together for the peace of all the beings in creation.

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