AMRITAKRIPA HOSPITAL TO BE INAUGURATED ON MAR. 1 

Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and Co-operation Minister G.T. Devegowda will be present, said Swamy Ramakrishnandapuri, Treasurer of the Mission.

Addressing media persons at Hotel Sandesh The Prince in city today, he said the hospital will provide free health-care to the poor from the rural areas of Mysore. It will have the best medical equipment and will be extended to 100 beds shortly.

The services available in the hospital will be a smaller version of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) in Kochi, Kerala, which has spent more than Rs. 150 crore on free medical care to 7,51,098 patients since its inception in 1998 to 2006. The deserving patients visiting Amritrakripa will be referred to AIMS for treatment, if necessary.

The Mission is providing monthly financial aid to 50,000 destitute women and widows in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, he said.

When Star of Mysore asked him about the facility being extended to needy women in Mysore, the Swamiji said that the Mutt in Bogadi is collecting data and a list of beneficiaries will be prepared shortly.

Replying to another query about the announcement by Amma on her birthday last year about the action plan to prevent farmers' suicide, Ramakrishna-nanda Puri said that teams of psychologists, social workers and experts have been already formed and they will begin work
in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala where the suicide rate of farmers is high.

Dr. S. Ranganathaiah, former Head of Department of Medici ne, Mysore Medical College, who is the Chairman of 'Amma's Visit' Reception Committee spoke about the activities of the Mutt in Mysore. Swamy Amritageethananda Puri was present at the press meet.