Kerala - Kollam   

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.

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Mata expresses concern over growing suicide rate in State

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