5:35PM, Oct 22, 2008
Reporter Jenny Kleeman heads off to India to look at the growing market in spiritual tourism.
Kerala, in southern India has been dubbed 'God's own country' but are the acclaimed gurus the real deal or dangerous charlatans after your money?
Deep in the social fabric of Kerala lies a tradition of religion and spirituality. Nobody bats an eyelid at the scores of people claiming to a have direct connection to God in order heal the sick and help the needy.
Jenny wants to get to the heart of this booming industry and find out the appeal of these living 'Gods'.
First up is Amma who has a huge international following. She's known for giving hugs to her devotees, often cuddling for fifteen hours solid without food or drink. One desperate devotee queues for hours for one of Amma's hugs in the hope that she can cure his health problems and revive his flagging business. When he finally meets her, he claims that his 'pain has gone.'
Jenny also gets a hug that she says was "lovely", but had no spiritual impact on her and questions; is Amma for real? Her operation is a huge money-making business and recieves more money than any other organisation in Kerala, but she appears to be genuine.
Perhaps surprisingly, a large number of Amma's followers come from outside of India. Jenny meets two British women who have devoted their life to her. Anna from Plymouth gushes: "There's something about the qualities in her that bring out the best qualities in you," while Varni says: "I see her as my mother. I can see myself staying here indefinitely."
But unfortunately, other 'Godmen' are not so benevolent. Jenny investigates the case of Santosh Madhavan, who sexually abused two women and is facing prison. She also meets Gopal Swami who claims he can cure the terminally ill and infertile people.
A couple tell Jenny that they went to him after trying for a baby for eight years. Gopal told them that she had a snake inside her and kicked her with such force that she spent five days in hospital, but when Jenny questions these allegations Gopal's henchmen soon step in.
Unreported World: India provides an interesting insight into a country that is increasingly modernising, yet uses the weaknesses of the vulnerable to fund a booming industry.
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