Mata expresses concern over growing suicide rate in State

[Guest guest]

>From The Hindu (newspaper). "State" is of course

Kerala.

 

http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/28/stories/2006092816390400.htm

 

Mata expresses concern over growing suicide rate in

State

 

Staff Reporter

 

Calls for measures to solve the plight of farmers

 

 

KOLLAM: Mata Amritanandamayi has expressed concern

over the growing suicide rate in the State.

 

In her address on the occasion of her 53rd birthday

celebrations at Amritapuri, near here, on Wednesday,

the Mata urged all those contemplating suicide to turn

away from such thoughts. She said suicide was never a

solution. It was an attempt to escape from life.

 

She wanted all concerned to take necessary measures to

address the plight of the farmers and the reason

behind the failing crops. Counselling facilities

should be made available for them. Providing money

alone would not suffice. She said her ashram was

already engaged in rendering mental strength to the

farmers through counselling.

 

The Mata expressed concern over the growing terrorist

attacks and wars all over the world. While stating

that many strict security measures were necessary to

counter terrorism, shs said these were not the final

solution.

 

``In fact, there is one explosive which is the most

destructive of all and which no machine can detect -

hatred and desire for revenge - in the human mind.

Without eradicating these emotions, there will be no

end to violence,'' she said. For that to happen, love

should reverberate in each and every aspect of our

life, the Mata said.

 

In his address, Union Minister of State for Planning

M.V. Rajashekaran said in a world filled with violence

and corruption, the Mata was like a streak of light

encouraging the people to turn to the right path. He

said the Mata's life for service and love were

world-renowned. On the occasion, he inaugurated the

``Amritashree'' project of the math.

 

It is a programme for self-reliance, employment and

empowerment for the unemployed youth. Democratic

Indira Congress (Karunakaran) leader K. Karunakaran

said the message of the Mata was the perfect antidote

to many of the problems the world was facing. Noted

film director Adoor Gopalakrishnan presented this

year's Amrita Keerthi Puraskaram to Oriya writer

Pratibha Ray. Minister for Fisheries S. Sarma and

Minister for Food C. Divakaran addressed.

 

The celebrations began with the `pada pooja' ritual

performed by Swamy Amritaswarupananda Puri. The swamy

also welcomed the gathering. The keys of 341 houses

completed for the tsunami victims were handed over to

the beneficiaries. Various charitable projects of the

math were also launched on the occasion.