In memoriam - Martin Zbinden

Martin Zbinden, a resident of New Creation Field, passed away on April 30th due to a heart failure.

Martin came to Auroville in 1997 with his family from Switzerland, Nadja, Luca and David. He started working at the Forecomers nursery, then worked at the New Creation School kitchen, then at the Matrimandir Nursery, where he developed his passion for the Plumerias and enthused everyone with his love for plants. For the past 12 years he was an integral part of the Botanical Garden team, tending to the Plumerias and other garden areas he had created, as well as welcoming and mentoring so many of the volunteers who came to the gardens. He also had a great appreciation for the landscape of Tamil Nadu and was particularly attracted to the rocky landscapes of Gingee where he created a sanctuary forest – a place he would often retreat to on weekends to spend time in quiet reflection as well as working to develop the area.

Martin was known to be generous of spirit, hard-working, and dedicated to the people and projects that he had committed to. Along with his wife Shivakala, he contributed to the lives of many, taking responsibility to support and guide youngsters from the local area through college, providing for them a safe and secure home to grow up in.

Martin’s body was cremated on May 2nd at Auroville Burial and Cremation Ground.