Auroville's monthly news magazine since 1988

Issue Nº318

Jan 2016 (118 months ago)
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Rain, rain and yet more rain

Reflection, By Bindu

The Alankuppam kolam spilled over

It seemed that the skies would never relent. One woke up to the sound of the heavy, steady rain. One went to bed with that sound reverberating in one’s mind.

Selecting new members for the Working Committee & Auroville Council

An interview with Uma, Jaya, Inge R. and Helene, By Carel

New members of the Working Committee and Auroville Council join the present members in the inner circle

A three-day selection process for new members for the Working Committee and Auroville Council took place from December 4-6th. It wasn’t to everybody’s liking.

What has been happening since the Retreat?

Editorial, By Alan

Solar pumping in remote villages: the 100-100 project

An interview with Rishi Walker, By Alan

Installing a solar pumping system in Gobada village, Orissa

In 1992 Auroville’s renewable energy unit, AuroRE, began providing renewable energy applications and solutions within Auroville and to rural and urban India.

A project on community participation

Feature, By Gaelle

The Canadian students from Kingston University with professor Ajay Agarwal

During the first two weeks of December, and for the third time, a group of ten students from Queen’s University (Kingston, Canada) and their professor Dr.

Responsible Energy Management workshop

Feature, By Shradha

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In the midst of the heavy rains that brought life to a standstill in most areas of Tamil Nadu, an energetic group of people came to Auroville from all over India.

Building bridges: the Paalam Project

Event review, By Kavitha

Youth from the neighbourhood attending a presentation in the Unity Pavilion

The Bioregion Action Group and YouthLink are both outcomes of the Auroville Retreat. Together with Auroville Village Action they are in the process of implementing a project called ‘Paalam’, meaning ‘Bridge’ in Tamil.

Nourishing the Newcomer seed

An interview with Beatrice, By Lesley

Beatrice

Beatrice reflects on her process of joining Auroville in 2014.

The Auroville Radio Story

An interview with Andrea Tazzari and Renu, By Shradha

The Auroville Radio office in the Town Hall

Auroville Radio celebrated its 11th anniversary on December 5th this year. Despite their busy schedule in the months of November and December, and having to help set up Peridar Kaala Vaanoli (‘Radio in the Time of Extreme Calamity’ in Tamil), a temporary emergency FM radio station for the flood-hit Cuddalore, Andrea and Renu share their stories from Auroville Radio.

Don’t hold your breath

Editorial, By Alan

Population male female ratio

Auroville’s population figures for 2015 have finally arrived. Were they worth waiting for? Not really. The overall population has increased by – wait for it – a grand, or not so grand, total of 55, which is an annual growth rate of a shade over 2%, almost one percentage point less than last year.

The Kallialay Surf-School and the INDI Surfboards

An interview with Samai and Juan, By Inge van Alphen

Board right after painting

Juan and Samai, the brothers who started the surf school in Auroville, arrived in 1995 at the ages of 11 and 10 respectively. Within a year’s time, they were introduced to the surfing world by the Auroville surfing pioneers, André, Patrick, Jacky, and Andy.

Anand (who passed away on October 30th)

An open letter, By Satyajit

A well-loved teacher, talented artist, My brother Anand was a multi-linguist. Worked at Matrimandir, in Courage he dwelt. Mother’s sweet presence, everywhere he felt.

Monsoon work in surrounding villages The heavy rains took many areas in South India by surprise. Chennai and Cuddalore were flooded and many small villages in our bioregion were also severely affected, some almost washed away.

Aquifer recharged including rainfall chart For Auroville’s aquifer recharge, the monsoon rains were a blessing, as all water bodies filled up and even spilled over, thus guaranteeing sufficient water for the dry months.

Irumbai solar village The Government of Tamil Nadu has approved a Solar Village Project for Irumbai village which has been promoted by Auroville Consulting. The pilot project will demonstrate that a village can (on an annual basis) produce all the energy it consumes from grid-connected solar PV systems and should / can therefore be exempted from load shedding.

Youth in the Town Hall On December 12th 2015, about 20 youth gathered in the Town Hall in answer to an invitation that said, “Ever wondered what’s happening in the Town Hall?

Interview Piero part 2 The second part of the interview with Piero Cicionesi has been released. Both parts have been posted online and can be seen at YouTube. The interviews record for future generations the true history of the construction of the Inner Chamber, from Udar’s first drawing under the direct instructions of the Mother, to the installation of the Crystal.

Crematorium structure collapsed Due to the heavy monsoon rains, the keet structure of Auroville’s open-air crematorium collapsed. A temporary but slightly lop-sided structure has been erected.

Road blocked After failed land purchase negotiations, and to prevent a landowner to parcel his land in the city area and sell it as housing plots, which is illegal, the road between Surrender and Kalabhumi has been blocked.