Issue Nº421

Aug 2024 (15 months ago)
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Darshan Messages – The Words of Love and Inspiration

Feature, By Willemine Pernette

Darshan card of February 21, 1983. Sri Aurobindo’s handwritten message reads: “I am the God of Wealth, the Strong and Splendid, I am the Master of the thousands and the Regent of the millions..

From July 24th till August 18th, Savitri Bhavan hosted the exhibition ‘Darshan Messages’. It not only showcased the original cards from 1953 onwards, but also the evolution of the tradition of Darshan card gifting which has been stopped since January 2023.

The deeper cause

Editorial, By Editors

On the battlefield of Kurukshetra: Krishna explains the causes of conflict to Arjuna

For the past three years, we have seen the arrival of another type of Secretary, a new top-down style of governance, and an imposed vision of development of Auroville.

Committed to Auroville

A profile of Palani, By Carel

Palani is the executive and product manager of Aureka, Auroville’s engineering company. Here he talks about his upbringing, his work, and his plans for the future.

The quest for meaning

A profile of Seza, By Chandra

Seza is Auroville’s first Newcomer from Türkiye (Turkey). She moved here 1.5 years ago after her first visit eight years earlier. She describes her journey from Istanbul to Auroville as a quest for meaning, self-discovery, and transformation.

Embracing the unexpected

A profile of Sang, By Chandra

Sang first arrived at the Matrimandir Camp in 1996. Adopted from South Korea and raised in Denmark, she is a skilled and seasoned massage therapist whose global travels led her to Auroville, where she discovered a profound connection with its people and where she continues to explore diverse avenues of learning.

News in Brief

Emergency RA decision against land sales and exchanges The Working Committee selected by the Residents’ Assembly (RA-WCom) called for an emergency decision of the Residents’ Assembly (RAD) regarding the sales and exchanges of Auroville owned lands.

Felicity and Happiness land exchanges Residents of Felicity and Happiness, two outlying communities having a population of about 20 to 30 residents, have informed the RA-WCom that they are facing challenges since they learned in March of this year that a prime parcel of land of approximately an acre and a half which faces the old Auroville Road had been exchanged for land in the Master Plan area.

Auro Orchard land exchange The RA-WCom informed the community that a critical situation has been unfolding at Auro Orchard. On 18th July, employees of the buyer closed fences, cutting off access to the home of two residents and members of the farm.

@auroville.org.in The RA-WCom has issued a warning that the email address @auroville.org.in is no longer safe as it is currently under unknown administration.

Auroville Urban Planning & Development Repository - AUPDR A group of resource persons, helped by research assistants and web developers have developed an on-line repository of documents pertaining to Auroville’s Urban Planning and Development.

Community gathering On July 6th, a community gathering and potluck dinner took place at the Certitude sportsground. The event was organized by the RA-WCom and the Auroville Council.

Summary of CPWD Tenders regarding Auroville The Central Public Works Department (CPWD), in its E-Tender Portal, stated that in the period from June 2022 to June 2024 an amount of almost Rs 60 crores (approximately US$ 7.3 million) has been allocated for 50 different civil works in Auroville.

WasteLess needs support WasteLess, the Auroville unit that for the last 12 years has specialized in developing education on waste management, in its first Newsletter writes that it is in financial difficulty and is struggling to stay afloat, even though many community members have pledged their generous support.

SAIIER budget cuts In a note to the community, the Auroville School Board shared that schools’ financial situation has become more difficult since July of 2024.

Sri Ma beach erosion On July 15th, residents of the Sri Ma community received an “Emergency Evacuation Notice” signed by the Deputy Secretary of the AVFO, mentioning that “the sea erosion has reached a critical situation today and the buildings may collapse at any moment”.

Maintenance cuts continue The Budget Coordination Committee of the AVFO (BCC) is continuing its programme of stringent maintenance cuts with an estimated 170 Aurovilians now affected.

Changes in AVFO appointees Secretary: The Secretary of the AVFO, Dr Jayanti Ravi, ended her three-year term on 4th July 2024. On July 31st, the Government of Gujarat notified her appointment as Additional Chief Secretary to the Government Revenue Department, Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar.

In Memoriam

Bindu

In memoriam:

Bindu Mohanty, one of the contributors of Auroville Today, passed away on July 28th in a hospital in Germany at the age of 56.

Goupi

In memoriam:

Long-term Aurovilian Goupi (Jean-Pierre Bunel) peacefully passed away at Marika’s Home in the evening of Monday, June 24th. He had just turned 82 years old.

Kratu

In memoriam:

Kratu, an Aurovilian artist, passed away on July 7th. Kratu was born on the 2nd May 1942 in Lonigo, Verona, Italy. In his early twenties, his passion for art led him to live in various countries and to hitch hike around the Mediterranean.

John Mandeen

In memoriam:

John Mandeen left his body on July 7, 2024.

Gajendran

In memoriam:

Gajendran Karunanidhi suddenly passed away on July 1st due to cardiac arrest.

Lakshmanan

In memoriam:

Lakshmanan Krishnan passed away on July 12th at JIPMER hospital after an accident, at the age of 44. He was a true Auroville youth, born and educated in Auroville.