Author: Agencies
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: April 26, 2006
URL: http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=66692
The 'living saint' from Kerala, Mata Amritanandamayi
Devi, more popularly known as "Amma", has said that love and compassion
could eventually help in overcoming the problem of poverty in food, clothing
and shelter.
The Mata, who was on a three-day visit to
Malaysia, said that there was so much poverty in material things. But it could
eventually be eliminated if one could overcome the "poverty" of
love and compassion, she said.
During her stay in the country, Amma hugged
more than 40,000 people at an
exhibition centre at Seri Kembangan near here.
Her visit was jointly arranged by the Amriteswari Foundation of Malaysia and
the Persatuan Amriteswari of Malaysia.
When asked why was she spreading the message
the goodwill through her blessings and hugs, she said love, compassion, empathy
and tolerance were lacking among many people these days due to the pressures
of modern life.
Described by many as having "god's love
in a human body", Amma said she hoped to re-awaken people to know the
importance of showing love and compassion as many problems in this world were
to due to intolerance and egotism.
Asked what she wanted to accomplish in life,
Amma said if she could dedicate a "peace day" in a year where people
need not be in hospitals because of war and conflicts and that children could
wake up to the sound of chirping birds instead of gunshots, that would make
her very happy.
