India’s Honourable President Droupadi Murmu visits Amma

The President also met with six members of Mexico’s Parliament who are in Amritapuri as part of Amma’s Civil 20 initiatives.

India’s Honourable President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Amritapuri to meet Amma during her six-day visit to Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Lakshadweep. She was welcomed by Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri at the Ashram gate, and Sannyasinis extended the cultural tradition of garlanding the President and presenting her with a shawl. President Murmu and Amma then discussed matters of common interest for half an hour in a private meeting.

As the country’s President, she marks three important milestones. President Murmu is the first person from a tribal community to hold the position. India’s Tribes are officially designated by the Government of India as ethnolinguistic minorities and among the most disadvantaged socio-economic groups. In addition, she is the youngest person to have ever held the post and the first born in an independent India after the British rule dissolved in 1947.

President Murmu was accompanied by Arif Mohammad Khan, India’s Governor of State for Kerala. Dr. Maneesha V Ramesh, Provost of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, gave a brief walkthrough to the guests on the humanitarian initiatives of the university and how that extends to Amma’s global charitable network.

In addition, President Murmu held an informal meeting with six members of Mexico’s Parliament who are visiting Amma as part of the Civil 20 (C20) and Group of 20 (G20) initiatives. Amma is Chair of C20, an official engagement group of India’s G20 Presidency that represents civil society and non-governmental organisations.