With funding provided by the Government of India, Embracing the World researchers at Amma’s Amrita University are developing a revolutionary approach to vocational training, using multimedia and haptic technology.The project, s.a.v.e. (Sakshat-Amrita Vocational Education) is charting a course toward offering vocational education on a scale never before possible, by using breakthrough technologies to overcome traditional logistical barriers to educating remote and impoverished communities.
On 11 March 2010, in honor of World Plumbing Day s.a.v.e. delivered its first module on plumbing in the Tribal Settlement of Kumbitankuzhy, Idukki District, Kerala. In a break with customary practices, the course was targeted equally toward women and girls as toward men and boys.

The average existing income of course participants at the time of the course was $2.25 – $4.50 a day. By the end of the course, six young women and six young men had made a commitment to pursue plumbing as a profession.
Beyond helping course participants, it was critical to the architects of s.a.v.e that in the process of delivering a computerized vocational education course, the entire community would benefit. After approaching the local leaders of Kumbitankuzhy to learn about the community’s plumbing needs, s.a.v.e discovered the entire settlement of over 150 people shared a single water tap, resulting in long lines for fetching water. What the community really needed was a second community water tap. When the s.a.v.e. module was complete, the students (boys and girls) applied the lessons they learned from the computerized vocational content to the real world and installed a new water tap for the whole community.

In 2009, the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka were ravaged by unprecedented rainfall. The resulting floods destroyed millions of acres of crops and displaced 2.5 million people.

In October 2009, ETW pledged $10.7 million (Rs. 50 crores) in relief work for the flood victims. As part of this package, food, clothing, bedsheets, blankets and satellite-supported specialized medical care were immediately provided, with a team of 12 doctors and dozens of paramedical assistants making regular rounds through the refugee camps and affected communities, treating more than 500 patients a day.

On 17 February 2010, just 20 days after entering into an agreement with the Government of Karnataka to provide new homes for displaced flood victims there, ETW had already completed 100 of 2,000 pledged homes. ETW was the first nongovernmental organization to complete homes for the victims of this disaster. The Chief Minister expressed hope that ETW’s rapid progress would inspire other organizations to move quickly in their relief efforts.

The President of India Mrs. Pratibha Patil presented the ‘Dharama Ghadga’ award to Swami Amritaswarupananda at the presidential palace, Rashtrapati Bhavan. The award was presented in recognition of Embracing the World charitable activities in India, carried out by M.A. Math. The Pazhassi Raja National Royal Awards are distributed by the Pazhassi Raja Charitable Trust for exceptional contributors to society from all walks of life.

This year’s other award recipients included Amitabh Bachchan, (actor); Dr. Bala Murali Krishna (musician); Dr. K Radha Krishnan (scientist, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organization); Hariharan (music director); and Shashi Tharoor (statesman).