KOCHI: Mata Amritanandamayi Math has announced launching of various charitable initiatives for Rs 25 crore in connection with the 59th birthday of world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi, popularly known as Amma by her devotees across the world.

Stating that the birthday celebrations are to be held on September 27 at Amrithapuri in Kollam, a communication from the math said that 'as has always been the practice, the occasion will see the launching of several new charitable initiatives of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, as also the extension of some of the existing charitable programmes. The total cost of these programmes this year is estimated to be Rs. 25 crore'. The programmes include 200 free heart and 50 free kidney transplant surgeries (first phase) at the Amritha Hospitals across the country, it said adding priority would be given to people living below the poverty line and those families availing free kidney transplants would have to find the organ donors themselves.