I offer my respectful obeisance to Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi ji, the epitome of service and spirituality. On the occasion of her seventieth birthday, I wish Amma a long and healthy life. I pray that her mission of spreading love and compassion around the world continues to grow. I also congratulate and extend my best wishes to all the people gathered here from different walks of life including Amma's followers.

Friends,

I have been in direct contact with Amma for more than 30 years. I had the experience of working with Amma for a long time after the earthquake in Kutch. I still remember the day when Amma's 60th birthday was celebrated in Amritapuri. Had I been physically present in today's event, I would have been elated and felt good. Even today, the warmth of Amma's smiling face and affectionate nature remain the same as before. And moreover, in the last 10 years, Amma's work and her impact on the world has grown manifold. Last year in August, I had the privilege of inaugurating Amrita Hospital in Faridabad, Haryana. The aura of Amma's presence and her blessings is difficult to describe in words; we can only feel it. I remember what I had said for Amma at that time, and today I want to repeat it - स्नेह-त्तिन्डे, कारुण्य-त्तिन्डे, सेवन-त्तिन्डे, त्याग-त्तिन्डे, पर्यायमाण अम्मा। माता अमृतानंन्दमयी देवी, भार-त्तिन्डे महत्ताय, आध्यात्मिक पारंपर्य-त्तिन्डे, नेरव-काशियाण। That is, Amma is the embodiment of love, compassion, service and renunciation. She is the bearer of Bharat's spiritual tradition.

Friends,

One aspect of Amma's work is that she established institutions in the country and abroad and promoted them further. Be it the field of health or education, under Amma's guidance every institution reached new heights of human service and social welfare. When the country started the cleanliness drive, Amma was among the first personalities who came forward to make it a success. She also donated Rs 100 crore to build toilets on the banks of Ganga, which gave a fresh boost to the cleanliness drive. Amma has followers all over the world and she has always enhanced the image and credibility of the country. When the inspiration is so great, the efforts also become great.

Friends,

In the post-pandemic world, Bharat's human-centric approach to development is being acknowledged today. At such a juncture, personalities like Amma reflect Bharat's human-centric approach. Amma has always made the humanitarian effort of empowering the less privileged and giving priority to the deprived section of the society. Just a few days ago, the Parliament of Bharat has also passed the Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Bharat, which is moving ahead with the resolve of women-led development, has an inspirational personality like Amma. I am confident that Amma's followers will continue to do similar work to promote peace and progress in the world. Once again, I wish Amma a happy seventieth birthday. May she live long; may she be healthy; may she continue serving humanity like this. I end my speech with the wish that you continue to shower your love upon all of us. Once again, I extend my obeisance to Amma.

DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.

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DS/LP/IG/AK