‘Mata’ Amritanandamayi Donates Rs 100 Crore to Swachh Bharat

Amritanandamayi donates Rs 100 crore to the government for the construction of toilets.

Spiritual guru Mata Amritanandamayi blesses a devotee by hugging him during a prayer meeting. (Photo: AP)

Amritanandamayi, popularly addressed as Amma by her followers has written a cheque for Rs 100 crore, payable to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The money was donated for the construction of toilets under the Namami Gange and Swachh Bharat programmes.

Speaking to reporters, spiritual leader Mata Amritanandamayi said she was not warming up to the BJP or any other political party and her only wish is to establish dharma. A party or the government is irrelevant to her, she said.

As far as I am concerned, it is not politics or government that concerns me. What is important to me is to establish dharma irrespective of who is in power.
— Amritanandamayi, Spiritual leader

She wants factories to ensure that the effluents from are treated before being discharged into the river. She also stressed on the importance of awareness among the people on the necessity of using toilets.

This project will provide much-needed amenities to those who truly need them. Along with toilet construction, awareness must be created. The villagers need to be taught that open defecation leads to water and soil pollution.
— Amritanandamayi, Spiritual leader

The mutt will also donate another Rs 100-crore for the construction of toilets across Kerala, she added.