Issue Nº309

On March 1st, 2015, the Auroville Festival in Chennai was launched at the ITC Grand Chola by the Governor of Tamil Nadu, His Excellency Dr. K.

A young boy stood at the table, his pencil hovering over his paper, his mind searching for what to write. He had spun a colourful wheel in the “Quality Game” at the Festival of Ideas held on Mother’s birthday, February 21, and had landed on the word, “Courage”.

The Auroville Retreat, which took place on 12th and 13th March, brought together members of the International Advisory Council (IAC), the Governing Board (GB) and around 160 Aurovilians to examine the present state of Auroville and to draft an action plan for the near future.

Auroville was unaffected by the violence that erupted on January 14th in the neighboring village of Bommaiyarpalayam following the brutal daylight murder of the husband of its panchayat president.

Restorative Circles, a system of conflict resolution which is based on the principles of Nonviolent Communication, is proposed to become part of Auroville’s Conflict Resolution Policy.

PRISMA has just released a new book that focuses upon one of the most beautiful gardens in an Auroville community. Gaia’s Garden in Auroville contains many photographs, taken through the seasons, of the flowers, trees and interesting corners of this labour of love of Dutch Aurovilian, Kireet Jak, a project which he describes as “an interaction and play with nature waiting for the unexpected surprises of Mother Nature”.

On the weekend of Mother’s birthday, February 21-22, the Puducherry Village Heritage Festival was held in the neighbouring village of Alankuppam.