By V. Sivaji
With Deepavali just around the corner, Penang Hyperlocal hopes that this positive and uplifting feature story will put us in the right celebratory mood.
Time and time again, Mata Amritanandamayi Malaysia has come forward to carry out numerous corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects to benefit the needy community.
For this Deepavali, all of their donations from well wishes to the organisation either in cash or kind, have been distributed through 14 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) here.
“This initiative is one of the United Nations sustainable development goals 2030, where NGOs are used to render contributions,” said K. Kalidas, the charitable organisation’s trustee.
He also added that a total of RM70,000 has been spent this year for Deepavali for new attire of sarees, jeepas, kurthas worth RM50,000.
“Contribution of Deepavali sweets and savories of 1,000 packets amounting to about RM25,000 were also given to the NGOs for further distribution.
“The entire effort was to ensure that aid reaches all segments of the society during the festive season and no one is left out,” adds Kalidas.
Other than this, they also sponsored budding youths right till tertiary education and obtaining their university degrees.
“We shortlisted a group of youths to ensure that they make it till the university through monitoring and follow-up.
“Most of the time, we sponsor around RM100,000 to RM200,000 for the entire course term,” said Kalidas.
They also keep track of them to ensure the students also obtain proper jobs after their university term.
The organisation was founded and led by Satguru Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi or the “hugging saint”. Many call her adoringly as just “Amma” or mother.
They have also carried out other medical funding projects where they provide the poor with wheelchairs, prosthesis, surgery or treatment of major ailments.
In India, they also run the Amrita University and World’s Amrita Hospital.
Amma herself had also visited Penang several times when on her tour and her thousands o devotees have received their blessings.
Meanwhile, Kalidas also revealed that the organisation hopes to build a modern charitable hospital in Bukit Tambun and necessary work is currently underway for this purpose.
When completed, it is expected to have 500-beds and cost RM2 billion.
