Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

– Ex-President of India, December 2006, Amritapuri

I want to share with you what I have learned from Amritapuri: Giving. Go on giving. You can give. It’s not only money. You can share knowledge. You can remove the pain. And you can even go to the person who is suffering. Every one of us, the rich and poor can give. That is the message I get from Amritapuri. There is no greater message than Amma’s giving to all the people of this region, and Kerala, and India, and to the world.

Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee

– Former Prime Minister of India, speaking at the inauguration of AIMS, Amma’s charitable hospital

The world today needs proof that our human values are useful, that such qualities as compassion, selflessness, renunciation and humility have the power to create a great and prosperous society. Amma’s work provides us with the much-needed proof.

Ms. Tanja Saarela

– Honourable Cultural Minister of Finland

Humankind needs every possible voice for peace, mutual understanding and unselfish work. Amma’s charitable activities are good examples of this.

Dr. Jane Goodall

– World famous primatologist and recipient of Gandhi-King Award for Non-Violence, 2001

I feel it’s a great honour to share a platform with a woman who is so remarkable, and who is the very embodiment of goodness. She believes that God does not discriminate between the sexes, and I believe she stands here in front of us, God’s love in a human body.

Mr. Olara A. Otunnu

– Former UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children in Armed Conflict

I was very struck by how much of the money that is mobilized actually goes and benefits directly those in need. This is remarkable. It was very striking for me how she managed to get that formula right. She acts on the spontaneous and instinctive. And that has given a lot of speed and momentum, cut out the bureaucracy, and made it possible to inspire people and to move with them to actually provide timely and quality support to those in need. … I think international NGOs and UN agencies have something to learn from the work of Amma and what she has been able to build.

Ms. Yolanda King

– Director, Martin Luther King, Jr. Center , USA, speaking at Amritavarsham50

What I cherish most about Amma is that she not only talks the talk, and is an embodiment of unconditional love, but she expresses that love in action. She walks the talk! Amma is the change she wishes to see in our world.

For more shared impressions about Amma, please click here.