Australia eastern time: 4pm
Indian time: 10:30am
France time: 6am
US east coast time: 12am
US west coast time: 9pm (Friday)
We are extremely delighted and humbled to announce the 17th year of Amrita SREE (Self-Reliance Education & Employment), the women-empowerment program launched by Amma, Sadguru, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi.
The Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004 not only destroyed thousands of lives, but also seriously impacted the fishing industry. When the fishermen and their families explained the crisis to Amma, she immediately understood that alternate forms of livelihood were necessary and that the women in their households should learn to develop alternate skill sets in order to help their families make ends meet.
With this goal, Amma launched a community-based self-help-group program, today known as Amrita SREE. What began as a response to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami soon spread across India and presently comprises 15,000 SHGs with more than 2.5 lakh active members.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math has provided close to 50 crores in direct financial assistance to Amrita SREE SHG members.
Since the pandemic continues unabated, the Math has decided to provide an additional financial assistance of 35 crores in 2021 as well. With this, the total financial assistance provided since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic stands close to 85 crores. These contributions include the ten crores the Math contributed to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund and three crores we gave to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund towards COVID-19 relief measures.
Every year, on the anniversary of Amrita SREE’s launch, the Math provides a seed grant of Rs. 30,000 to each SHG. Over five-lakh sarees are also distributed to Amrita SREE members along with new clothes to their families. Even when the COVID epidemic hit in 2020, Amma ensured that all necessary help, including food kits, reached each Amrita SREE member.
This year, the Math is organising the anniversary event at Amritapuri, where we will launch the second instalment of the COVID-19 aid package to the SHG members. This package consists of financial assistance, groceries kits and clothes worth 35 crores. To commemorate the completion of 16 years of this unique women’s movement, we seek your esteemed presence to join this special online event.
Here is the detailed program (all times are Indian time):
Here is the program details for tomorrow/today’s AmritaSree program:
Amrita SREE 16th Annual Meet, Launch of Financial Aid, Distribution of Clothes and Groceries Kit to SHG Members and Monsoon Havoc Victims across Kerala in the divine presence of Amma
December 18, Saturday
Amritapuri
Chief Guest
Sri. Arif Mohammed Khan
Hon. Governor of Kerala
Presided Over by
Sri. V. Muraleedharan
Hon. Minister of State for External Affairs
Govt. of India
in the presence of
Sri. C. R. Mahesh
Hon. Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly
Karungappally
Sri. Sujith Vijayan Pillai
Hon. Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly
Chavara
Agenda
10.30 am
Amma arrives on the stage
Guests of Honor joins the program
10.35 am
Prayer
10.40 am
Introduction & Welcome Address
Sri. Ranganathan
Coordinator, Amrita SREE
10.50 am
Inaugural Adress and launch of Distribution of Financial Aid worth of Rs.35 Crores
Sri. Arif Mohammed Khan
Hon. Governor of Kerala
11.00 am
Launch of Distribution of Clothes and Groceries Kit to Monsoon/Flood Havoc victims and SHG members across Kerala
Sri. V. Muraleedharan
Hon. Minister of State for External Affairs
Govt. of India
11.10 am
Felicitations
Sri. C. R. Mahesh
Hon. Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly
Karungappally
Sri. Sujith Vijayan Pillai
Hon. Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly
Chavara
11.20 am
Amma’s Message
Distribution of Kits to recipients from Alappad Panchayath.