In memoriam - Georges Blanchet

On 2nd January, Aurovilian Georges Blanchet left his body at the age of 65 in PIMS hospital. He had suffered a general systems collapse caused by a long-festering lung infection, which had become only apparent a few weeks before. He was conscious about his approaching death and asked his visitors to sing him Mother’s Mantra and read him Her La Voie Ensoleillée. Towards the end, he repeated the Mantra himself putting his hands on his heart, and departed saying, “All that we do is for the Divine.”

Georges, who was known as a friendly, quiet person who lived a simple devoted life, joined Auroville in 2008. He lived in Vikas community and had been working in Pitchandikulam, at Verité and at the Matrimandir, where his particular care was the lotus pond. He also served the community as a ‘silent observer’ in the Auroville Council and as a member of the second Feedback Review Committee. More recently he worked at the Visitors’ Centre bookshop. Georges has written various texts in French on gardening and also the book ‘Fenêtre ouverte sur le monde’, printed at Auroville Press.

Georges’ body was taken to the Farewell House and buried on the afternoon of Tuesday, 5th January at Adventure’s burial and cremation grounds.