Swami Amritaswarupananda presents nine inner changes humanity must make for true transformation in the wake of COVID-19. The pandemic has been an eyeopener – as have past disasters like the Spanish Flu, the Great Depression, and two World Wars. This time, how can we ensure we do not make the same mistakes again?
Amma instructed residents in Amritapuri to wear masks at the beginning of March. Production began in the tailoring department there, which inspired Embracing the World volunteers around the world to do the same in their communities. Now from health workers to the homeless in city streets, volunteers are sewing masks to bring protection to all sectors of society.
VIDEO: The coronavirus pandemic has infected nearly 14,500,000 people around the world, according to official counts. At least 605,000 people have died, and the virus has been detected in nearly every country. Amma advises to never forget the lessons that Nature is teaching us during these times. Here are some of her words on how to proceed with courage, practise caution and alertness, and pray for grace.
From the design of N95-style masks for frontline health care workers to the creation of a hotline to provide grocery services, AYUDH Americas has come together to find solutions for the coronavirus pandemic. Throughout North and South America, their key focus is joining together as youth to meet the needs of those who are struggling at this time.
Faculty at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham are utilizing India’s national lockdown to innovate new solutions to help in the fight against COVID-19. More than 60 faculty from various fields – including medicine, nanoscience, AI, big data, sensor-manufacturing and material sciences – are hard at work.
Amma is donating $1.7 million US to the Indian and Kerala governments to help combat and contain COVID-19. The funds will also provide relief to those physically, mentally and economically affected by the virus. In addtion, Embracing the World is providing free care to COVID-19 patients at Amrita Hospital in Kochi, Kerala.
Amrita SeRVe took a fundamental step toward a more regenerative, healthier and organic form of agriculture. The tribal community in the village of Sadivayal, Tamil Nadu received Organic-Agriculture certification, becoming the first Amrita SeRVe farmers’ group to obtain this status. Their certification is for the production of mixed vegetables, mango and rice.
VIDEO: She has made it her mission in life: any woman or child of her Indigenous community who needs protection can come and stay with her. Gayili Banduk Marika Yunupingu has opened her door to those who suffer from domestic violence or consider suicide as the only way out. A mining company once offered Gayili, who is a Gumatj Clan Elder, three million dollars for the property. However, she refused because she considers it a duty to respect and safeguard her heritage.
Volunteers with Amma Italia have built a new multipurpose hall in the community of Valfornace. In 2016, the region was battered by a series of strong earthquakes that damaged several cities and villages. Valfornace had one hundred percent of its public facilities destroyed. In November 2019, Amma handed over the keys of the new center, much to the gratitude of community members.
Amma visited Amrita Children’s Home in Paripally, Kerala to celebrate 30 years of caring for the orphanage. A large gathering of alumni was also held to honor the occasion. In 1989, the orphanage administrators came to Amma and confessed they were out of funds. They said that before long, they would have no choice but to turn their 500 children out on the street.