Mata Amritanandamayi hands over tsunami shelters

Port Blair, Mar 24 (UNI) It was a dream come true for several tsunami victims of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, who finally received a roof over their head yesterday.

Mata Amritanandamayi handed over the symbolic keys of 50 permanent shelters constructed by the Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM) for the tsunami affected people of Bambooflat area in South Andamans.

The islands lost nearly 10,000 houses in the disastrous tsunami in 2004.

The MAM has undertaken construction of 200 houses for the tsunami-affected people in Bambooflat and Austinabad area.

The Phase-I of the project, compromising 50 permanent shelters, capable of withstanding earthquakes, were handed over to the affected people at a grand function here.

Altogether 10 beneficiaries were given shelters on the stage during the occasion.

Union Minister of State for HRD, M A A Fatmi, Acting Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Administration Mr Arvind Ray, received the keys from 'Amma' on behalf of the government.

More than 12,000 people gathered at the ITF ground of Port Blair to meet Mata Amritanandamayi and witness the handing over the key to tsunami victims.

Sources in MAM informed that construction of Phase-II, consisting of 150 permanent shelters at Austinabad, will be completed by the end of next month.

Later, giving her discourse on the occasion, Amma asked the people to share love and affection among each other as, she says, these are the components which can inject new vigor in life so as to help them live happily.

Mata Amritanandamayi Devi is one of the most loved and most respected spiritual leaders in India.

UNI SKR PP DB1538