AMURT: A Compassionate Connection to India

 Special Thanks to Maria Lisak

There are problems all over the world that need the attention and help of others. In a perfect world, the local community resolves the situation. In a perfect world, these circumstances are handled and the problems are erased. However, this is not a perfect world.

Unfortunate situations and conflicts often need the help of international organizations when solutions are not utilized or are overlooked.

AMURT (Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team) understands this need. They understand that putting field directors in disaster-prone areas can provide better relief to those in need. They understand that each area is unique, and each disaster needs special attention. After all, Ananda Marga is a philosophy that “focus[es] on personal development, social service and the spiritual transformation of society.” AMURT attends to the needs of the population through a number of means: social, educational, spiritual, agricultural and environmental. No stone is unturned. No person is without help.

A main component of AMURT is the principal belief that “development is human exchange: people sharing wisdom, knowledge and experience to build a better world.” Their values are shaped by the people they help; every person has the right to basic necessities, development and respect. Each person should be provided the opportunity to determine his or her own future. This is possible through equal respect and understanding, equal opportunity and equal rights. It’s all about equality. It’s all about the idea that a person can succeed if he or she is given the chance.

AMURT is able to provide these principles to the international world through aid work, with the help from volunteers and field members with specific and special skills. Managers and field members in certain areas provide education assistance, farming support, health management, computer training and wellness aid.

AMURT knows that “development is a balanced process that maintains equilibrium between industry and the environment, urban and rural growth, human needs and available resources. Development should lessen the gap between the rich and poor and provide opportunities for all.”

Development is the keyword. There is no development, opportunity or room for growth if there is no aid or chance given to those who desire and need it. If a person wants water to drink, he/she must be given a cup to drink or have the tools to produce his/her own.

AMURT is able to work on these philosophies through dedicated individuals who provide relief and aid on a full-time basis. These managers and field members are taught specific skills so that they too may be able to provide and pass down these skills to affected communities. Ideally, these social, environmental, agricultural, educational and spiritual skills will then be learned so that the local affected communities can better provide for themselves in the future. Nothing is out of reach. Everything can be taught.

Dada Yogánanda, field director of AMURT and a contributor to the GIC, understands that “there are no ready-made solutions to problems of poverty.” He understands and lives by the belief that volunteers “are better able to promote a solution that is suitable for each particular set of circumstances,” if they are able to specialize in a particular field.

Putting this philosophy into practice, AMURT has assisted many countries in the world. They have aided in the development after many disasters, man-made or natural. They have contributed to education and health initiatives and provided opportunities to those who may have lost theirs or have none.

To be more specific, a recent flood in India dramatically affected the populace of the country. In June 2013, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and other northern areas experienced heavy rainfall that produced devastating floods and landslides in the region. An estimated one thousand people have perished. In addition, many more people are missing and children have been orphaned. The affect on the entire population of India has been overwhelming, so India needs the support of other compassionate communities with help in their hearts.

When problems like this arise, it is up to governments, groups, communities and individuals to step in and produce solutions that can work for everyone. AMURT works with each level of society to provide relief.

In particular, Korea and citizens of Gwangju have provided, and are still providing, relief in the form of donations and aid for projects to construct schools and hospitals that will immediately contribute to the relief of India’s horrible flooding disaster. In addition, Korea and the other countries around Asia will give contributions that provide AMURT the means to aid in “the upbringing and education of 200 orphaned children who lost their parents in the floods.”

Situations like these are horrible reminders that we live in an imperfect world. There will always be problems that need solutions. There will always be solutions that need support, and there will always be a need for people, communities like Gwangju and groups like AMURT—to make sure the support is provided.

For more information to stay informed and to help out, please visit: http://amurt.net.

Donations are always accepted for the Flood Relief victims. Donate to AMURT’s Korean Organization at NongHyup Bank: 농협 301-0044-0412-11 (아난다마르가 요가명상협회).)