Amritanandamayi initiates projects to help farmers
Thiruvananthapuram, July 31 (IANS) Spiritual leader Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi has announced two projects to prevent the suicide of farmers and their families.
The project will target farmers from Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, where the failure of crops and the burden of debt has led to suicides not only by farmers but their relatives as well.
‘This project would provide free education to 30,000 children all over India. The children of poor farmers or those who were forced to discontinue their education due to the lack of funds will receive priority.
‘Children who lost their parents or were abandoned by them will also be considered for this project. Children of all castes between the ages of 10 and 15 who are studying in government schools will be eligible to apply for this project,’ said a statement issued by the Mata Amritanandamayi Mutt.
The statement added that the children would receive a stipend every month, subject to their performance in their studies, until they completed their education. Initially, 60 percent of the children would be taken from Kerala, with the remaining from the other two states.
Amritanandamayi, popularly known as Amma, said that yet another generation should not give in to suicide, which she called an ’emotional weakness’.
‘They should understand the need to develop self confidence. The future generation should have the mental strength to face life’s challenges. An expert panel from the Mutt will study the causes of the increase in suicide rates amongst the farmers,’ said Amma.
Along with the educational programme for children, the Mutt has decided to impart training in skills required for cottage industries to 5,000 women from agricultural families. After completion of the course, women will also be given the necessary capital to start businesses in their respective areas of training.