AMALABHARATHOM PROGRAMME
(3,200 volunteers take part in
cleanliness campaign)
Over 3,200 volunteers of the Amalabharathom
campaign, attached to Mata Amritanandamayi Math, took part in a two-day
cleaning drive which concluded at Sabarimala on Sunday,4th
November,2012.A host of prominent people, including
former union Minister O. Rajagopal; Amrita University vice chancellor P. Venkat
Rangan; and a good number of professionals from India and abroad took part in
the campaign.
Mr. Rajagopal, who had joined the
volunteers at Sannidhanam, was critical of the temple administration and the
government for the poor sanitation arrangements at Sabarimala.
He alleged criminal negligence on part of
the authorities with regard to cleanliness, hygiene, and sanitation at the
pilgrim centre. At Sabarimala, double the population of the State congregate
during the two-month pilgrimage season and hygiene should not be ignored, he
said.
“Students from almost all major campuses of
the university took part in the campaign which provides them an opportunity to
think about the importance of community living and sanitation on a broader
perspective, shedding egos and selfish motives,” Dr. Rangan said.
The team removed filth from the Pampa
riverbed and its banks.“The sad part is the heavy accumulation of
filth in the Pampa which the devotees consider holy. This situation should
change,” he said. Nearly 100 foreign volunteers of the Amalabharathom campaign
were apparently thrilled to see the activity.“Nowhere else in the world could one find a
place like India that offers such a unique, rich tradition of philosophy that
sooths and energises your spirit,” said Nagti Rajaikyla from Finland. (He is an
international swimmer who participated in the 2004 and 2008 Olympic games.He is in Sabarimala for the second time as
part of the Amalabharathom team.“A soul-filling experience indeed, to be
part of the Amalabharathom cleaning mission at Sabarimala,” said 18-year-old
William Warren from New York.
Prof.
John Kurakar
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