After contributing Rs 100 crore to the Centre's 'Swachh Bharat' and 'Clean Ganga' programmes, Mata Amritanandamayi Math today offered an identical amount for construction of toilets and sanitation works in Kerala.
Mata Amritanandamayi, popularly called 'Amma' by her devotees, pledged Rs 100 crore for the works in Kerala while participating in her 62nd birth day celebration at the Math premises at Vallikavu near here, in the presence of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
A certificate pledging Rs 100 crore to Kerala for construction of toilets and sanitation purpose was handed over to Chandy by Amritanandamayi at the function.
The Math had earlier this month donated Rs 100 crore for the 'Swachh Bharat' and Clean Ganga programmes.
Speaking on the occasion, Chandy lauded the work and services carried out by the Math in various parts of the country. The services of Math would always be cherished by the people, he said.
Lauding the work of the Math, BJP President Amit Shah who also attended the programme, said its services have benefited a large number of people irrespective of caste, creed, religion, colour and gender.
He thanked the Math for extending Rs 100 crore for the Prime Minister's flag ship programme 'Swachh Bharat' and 'Clean Ganga'. There was no one in the history who had carried out similar services like Amritanandamayi, Shah said.
In her message, Amma said India has two faces, one of development and another of poverty. One face is happy due to giant strides the country is making in science and technology and the another face is of poverty, illiteracy, poor health, crime against women and lack of cleanliness," she said.
"If we want to see India become powerful and healthy, then we need to merge these two faces into one beautiful face. If we can bring our collective knowledge, compassion and talent together, we can see India rising and thriving with peace, harmony and prosperity," she said.
The function also saw the launch of various welfare and development initiatives by the Math, at various states including Kerala, Odisha and Tamil Nadu.
Amma also presented the 'Amrita Keerthi Puraskar' to noted Sanskrit scholor Muthukulam Sreedharan at the function.
Kerala Governor P Sathasivam, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurian, Union Ministers Najma Heptulla, Manoj Sinha, Sripad Yasoo Naik, Ambassador of France to India Francois Richier and State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala were among those who attended the programme.
