Author: Sanu George, Thiruvananthapuram
Publication: India Abroad News
Service
Date: February 25, 2001
A bureaucrat in Kerala has roped
in a spiritual leader to establish a Rs.2.5 billion holistic health village
in the state.
The proposal is the outcome of the
collaboration between Mata Amrithanandamayi, a spiritual leader with a
following of nearly 30 million worldwide, and Jiji Thompson, managing director
of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSTDC).
"I thought of several people who
could probably be roped in as partners. Finally, I zeroed in on Mata Amrithanandamayi,"
Thomson told IANS. He said the idea first came to him when he noticed that
some 300 acres of land belonging to the KSIDC in Balussery in northern
Kerala, was lying vacant.
"The place, apart from its natural
settings is rich with a lot of flora and fauna and, seeing its natural
wealth, I presented the proposal to 'Amma' when she paid a visit to her
ashram in the outskirts of the capital city and she was impressed," he
said.
"A large number of 'Amma's' followers
who are specialists in different fields of medicine belonging to various
countries come to spend a lot of time every year at her religious retreat.
So we thought we should put their stay in India to productive purpose with
the support of 'Amma'," said Thompson.
The proposal presented to 'Amma'
envisages setting up a holistic village there as an international center
of excellence which would provide treatment, research, education and training
in various complementary and alternative medical systems which would include
specialties like allopathy, ayurveda, homeopathy, Chinese medicines, naturopathy,
Tibetan medicine, Siddha, aromatherapy and similar therapies as practiced
in various countries.
On the financial aspect, he said,
"Since the government cannot associate with a religious institution, we
have asked 'Amma' to set up a separate company or we have even thought
in terms of floating a joint venture company to see that it takes off soon.
It is proposed that 88 percent share would be held by 'Amma' in the company
for which she would bring in Rs.1.1 billion. Apart from the land, which
is ours, we are also willing to bring in money by raising it from outside
India. There are several people who are willing to invest in this unique
project," said Thompson.
He said a core committee has been
formed consisting of members from the Mata Amrithanandamayi Mutt at Vallikavu
in Kollam district and a high level team from KSIDC. "We are paying a visit
to the proposed place in the first week of March to draw up concrete plans
and to go ahead with the proposal," said Thompson.
The exclusive village is also envisaged
to provide for therapies, which will have no side effects, suited to various
budgets. Also planned are techniques to improve the quality of life of
people and treatment for various diseases. As per the projections worked
out by KSIDC, it is estimated that the total annual revenue expected to
be generated by the end of fifth year after it becomes operational would
be about Rs.2 billion.
State Industries Minister Susheela
Gopalan has taken a keen interest in the health village and is reported
to have secured the go ahead signal from her party, the Communist Party
of India-Marxist.
