Remarks by Ambassador Sibi George
At the Reception in honour of Mata Amritanandamayi,
Winterthur Oct 20, 2018
Amma,
It is indeed a great honor to be in the presence of a great saint, and to speak a few words before you.
I am delighted and happy that one of the greatest daughters of India is with us today. I quote Prime Minister Modi who said, “She is the guiding light for millions of devotees. Not only that, she has become the synonym of life for many devotees. Like a real Maa, she nurtures her devotees through direct and indirect acts; visible and invisible hands.” Unquote.
As a child born in Amma’s own land of Kerala, I have grown up hearing stories of, how Amma opened the hearts of millions around the world. How Amma taught the world on how love can bring us together, regardless of race, religion or nationality.
As a diplomat of India, for the last twenty five years, I have seen how Amma connected the East and the West through her message of love and peace. Today through her life and Mission Amma teaches the world that Manava Sewa is Madhava Sewa.
My wife Joice and my son Vakkan join the thousands present here to welcome Amma to Switzerland.
Switzerland, the land of Alps, have always welcomed India and its values and traditions and its heroes. To this land of Alps, Swami Vivekananda brought message of India’s spirituality in 1896. He travelled several hundreds of miles to reach Saas Fee in the Alps, which Swami called the ‘Miniature Himalayas’.
It is to this land that Mahatma Gandhi came in 1931 when he spend a few days in Montreux in the Swiss Canton of Vaud. Today, this land of Alps, Switzerland is welcoming our Amma.
India had special relations with Switzerland when India signed its Treaty of Friendship with Switzerland in 1948. Today, we are the largest democracy, the fastest growing economy in the world, effectively contributing to peace and stability in the world. As two of the most genuine democracies India and Switzerland share common values.
Today India and Switzerland are closer than ever before. There is growing connect between Himalayas and Alps. Amma, I see an India connect in every corner of this land. Like Switzerland is a household name in India, yoga and Ayurveda are becoming household names here. Every day we celebrate India here in Switzerland.
I am so happy to welcome Amma to Switzerland when we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship. I am so happy to welcome Amma to Switzerland when we celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of peace and non-violence.
Thank you Amma. Thank you all.
