Mass wedding, prayers mark Amma's 53rd birthday

Amritapuri, Kollam, Sep 27 (UNI) A mass wedding of 51 impoverished couples, distribution of houses to tsunami victims, launching of welfare schemes and prayers marked the 53rd birthday celebrations of spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi here today.

Mata's birthday message to the devotees from different parts of the world was to work for world peace. The occasion marked the completion of 341 tsunami houses built by the Mutt in Alappad panchayat, where the ashram is located.

In the aftermath of the tsunami, the ashram had offered to build 6,200 houses for the affected in the States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, apart from Sri Lanka.

Once completed, the Mutt was expected to have spent over Rs 200 crore for tsunami rehabilitation alone, the largest of its kind anywhere.

Well-known Oriya writer Pratibha Ray was awarded the Amrita Keerti Puraskar for her outstanding contributions to Indian spiritual and philosophical literature.

Amrita Keerti Puraskar, instituted in 2003, carry with it a cash prize of Rs 123,456, a sculpture designed by artist Nambuthiri and a commendation certificate. The renowned film director Adoor Gopalakrishnan gave away the award.

The Mutt had launched Amrita Sree (Self Reliance and Employment Empowerment), a programme aimed at the upliftment of unemployed youth.

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