“We may not be able to see God with our eyes, but we see all the divine qualities of God in Amma, who has tirelessly dedicated her entire life to uplifting the poor and suffering.”

This historic event was also attended by the Government of India’s Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Sri. Ashwini Kumar Choubey; the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kerala, Dr. V.P. Mahadevan Pillai; the Registrar of the University of Mysore, Prof. Lingaraja Gandhi; and other dignitaries.

Amma said in her acceptance speech, “Through this honour you have bestowed, I see the interest that the University of Mysore has in upholding its alignment with the ideal of manava seva madhava seva—service to humankind is service to God.

“The Math has been able to serve society in this manner, in whatever way we have, because of the selfless service of millions of Amma’s children all around the world. Therefore, Amma dedicates this honour to their deep sincerity and goodwill.”

Amma also stressed the importance of assuring academic research and science remain rooted in spiritual values such as truth, righteousness and compassionate service to the poor.

“In today’s universities, the professional progress and promotions of faculty researchers and professors are determined by how much funding they are bringing in, how many publications they are submitting, and what they are able to accomplish through their intellectual prowess,” said Amma.

“Something else should also be taken into consideration: how much their discoveries have been able to help the lower strata of society and how much service they have been able help the poor and needy. If this happens, it would be like gold becoming fragrant.”