VP Radhakrishnan Attends Vishwa Seva Dinam in Kollam

• VP Radhakrishnan attends Vishwa Seva Dinam in Amritapuri.
• ₹2 crore assistance announced for Nepal flood relief.
• Free surgeries and aid for vulnerable families launched.
• VP stresses compassionate and inclusive development.

GG News Bureau
Kollam, 27th Sept: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Sunday participated in the Vishwa Seva Dinam celebrations at Mata Amritanandamayi Math in Amritapuri, Kollam, organised to mark the 73rd birthday of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi.

During the programme, Radhakrishnan launched several humanitarian initiatives of the Math, including ₹2 crore assistance for flood relief in Nepal, free surgeries for underprivileged beneficiaries at Amrita Hospitals in Kochi and Faridabad, and financial assistance for families of fishermen who lost their lives at sea.

The Vice-President also released the Amritakuteeram 30th Anniversary Souvenir, marking the completion of 50,000 homes across India and Sri Lanka. Three new publications — The Hanuman Chalisa, The Ocean of Grace and Satyam Shivam Sundaram — were also released.

Addressing the gathering, Radhakrishnan described Mata Amritanandamayi Devi’s life as a message of love, compassion and selfless service. He said the spirit of Seva reflected the civilisational ethos of Bharat and emphasised that service should ultimately be measured by the transformation it brings to people’s lives.

Highlighting the Math’s healthcare initiatives, he said charitable medical care worth more than ₹890 crore had been provided since 1998, benefiting over 64 lakh patients through free treatment and surgeries.

The Vice-President also highlighted educational and women-empowerment initiatives associated with the Math. According to his address, more than 55,000 scholarships have been provided worldwide, while around 2.5 lakh women have been supported through AmritaSREE with start-up capital, vocational training and microfinance. More than 15,000 Self-Help Groups are associated with the initiative.

Radhakrishnan said the Math’s humanitarian work had also included the construction of more than 50,000 homes, pensions for over one lakh impoverished people and assistance during disasters including the Indian Ocean tsunami, Gujarat earthquake, Uttarakhand floods, Keralam floods, the COVID-19 pandemic and Wayanad landslides.

He said the Math had contributed ₹100 crore to the government’s Namami Gange programme and undertaken cleanliness and environmental initiatives, including tree plantation.

Addressing broader global challenges, the Vice-President said technological advancement alone was insufficient and that humanity also needed “compassionate advancement” amid conflicts, humanitarian crises, poverty, displacement and environmental challenges.

Referring to India’s development trajectory, Radhakrishnan said the vision of Viksit Bharat must include both economic progress and a human dimension. He stressed that modernity and civilisational values should move together, describing “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” as a guiding principle.

He also emphasised that a Viksit Bharat should be an inclusive Bharat where no one is left behind.

The event was attended by Governor of Keralam and Tamil Nadu Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Keralam Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi, Kerala Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, MPs N. K. Premachandran and Shashi Tharoor, Nepal Ambassador Surender Thapa, MLAs, religious leaders, devotees and volunteers.