For Amma’s birthday celebration, a number of villagers visited from all over India. One group came from the tribal village of Motakkara. They had never been any distance from their village before and were wide eyed at all the sights of Amritapuri. A group of the children had also come, as they would be given scholarships on the birthday.

Earlier, a group of Japanese visitors had expressed an interest in visiting their village, but this hadn’t been possible. However, the villagers ended up coming to them, giving the opportunity for interaction. The children were gathered and the Japanese arrived, some wearing traditional costume of kimonos. They were equipped with origami paper and big smiles. They showed the children how to make cranes and lotuses and most of them caught on quickly. From time to time the children glanced up wide eyed at these new people who had entered their lives. The group gave each child a gift bag with school supplies which astonished the children even more. It was another of those many sweet Amritapuri moments when Amma brings together diverse people for beautiful and loving experiences.

Rta S