Kollam, 24 September (H.S): Mata Amritanandamayi Devi’s 73rd birthday will be observed as Vishwa Seva Din with two days of programmes at the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham campus in Amritapuri on September 26 and 27.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to inaugurate a public programme at 5 pm on September 26. Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan will be the chief guest at the official ceremony at 11 am the following day.

The Mata Amritanandamayi Math plans to launch charitable initiatives worth ₹50 crore as part of the celebrations. These include ₹20 crore in medical assistance through Amrita Hospital, covering free organ transplant surgeries, and financial support for self-help groups associated with the Math.

The Math will also announce assistance for families of those killed in the Thrissur fireworks tragedy and for the families of fishermen who died in boat accidents following rough seas off Neendakara in Kollam and Muthalapozhi in Thiruvananthapuram. A community wedding will follow the main ceremony.

Former governor, lawyer and author P S Sreedharan Pillai will receive this year’s Amrita Keerthi Award at the September 26 programme. The award comprises ₹1,23,456, a Saraswati sculpture designed by artist Namboothiri and a citation. The Math will also hand over ₹2 crore to a fund supporting flood relief work in Assam.

On September 27, the programme will begin at 9 am with Sri Guru Paduka Puja, followed by a satsang led by Amritanandamayi, prayers for world peace and bhajans.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister V D Satheesan, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi, state ministers, MPs and MLAs are among those expected to attend the celebrations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman