India's most famous woman spiritual leader, Mata Amritanandamayi, has set aside Rs 100 crore to help the survivors of the tsunami disaster.
The hugging saint, as she is known, on Monday said that the suffering caused by the tsunami disaster is unfathomable.
An official at Amritapeetam, Mata Amritanandamayi's headquarters in Kollam district in Kerala, said that the Mata Amritanandamayi Mutt would submit proposals to the state governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh to carry out its biggest ever charity work.
"Amma is anguished by the tragedy. Therefore, she has decided to embark on relief operations in the largest scale," he told rediff.com
A release from the mutt said Mata Amritanandamayi's gesture is not meant "to compete or bargain". "But we cannot turn a deaf ear to the heartrending supplications of those who are crying for help."
To begin with, the mutt proposes to reconstruct all the houses in Kerala that have been completely destroyed, if the government permits.
These houses, which will have two rooms, a kitchen, a small veranda and a toilet, will be built according to government specifications.
"Amma is ever ready to help the deserving, irrespective of religion, caste, nationality and language," the release said.
Mutt officials on Monday asked the Kerala government's permission to proceed with the plan.
However, the mutt requested the government to renovate and maintain houses that are only partially damaged.
The mutt will come out with similar proposal for those who have lost houses in Tamil Nadu and Andhra.
"Nonetheless, we request that these charitable projects proposed by the mutt must not affect or stop any aid or privileges promised by the state and central governments to the victims," it said.
For each affected house, the mutt will give Rs 1,000 for buying household items. A total of Rs 1.5 crore has been set aside for this purpose. All applications for funding must be made to the mutt before this Sunday.
Mata'a Amritanandamayi's followers and aides point out that in the last three decades she has hugged nearly 30 million people alone across the globe.
She has built up a spiritual and service empire that includes educational, charity and medical institutions across India and abroad.
Today, at the age of 51, Mata Amritanandamayi heads huge projects -- estimated to be worth Rs 1,000 crore -- to help the sick and poor.