Issue Nº367 – News in brief

On 20th January, the eminent quantum physicist, Dr. Goswami, made a presentation of his work at a packed Unity Pavilion. Dr. Goswami is a pioneer of the new paradigm of science called “science within consciousness,” which demonstrates how science and spirituality can be integrated.

Last year, a ‘Sufi Way’ meditation retreat took place in Bharat Nivas. Led by Nirupam Gyan, it involved Gurdjeff movements, active meditations, breath work and Sufi whirling, which is a state of inner stillness and outer movement. On Christmas Day, there was a live concert in SAWCHU at which everybody was invited to join the Sufi whirling. (Photo on AVT computer if needed)

Ultimate Frisbee will be hosting its annual Auroville Hat tournament on the 1st and 2nd of February. It will be the 10th year they are organising and hosting this tournament and they expect approximately 250 players to come from all over India.

Between 20th January and 1st March, Paulette put on a photographic exhibition at the Town Hall on the theme of ‘Milano’s futuristic architecture: regeneration of the Porta Nuova district’.

In December, the 2nd National Painting exhibition took place in Kala Kendra Art Gallery, Bharat Nivas. Organized by the Pondicherry Art Akademy, 70 artists from all over India exhibited their work which represented a wide palette of styles. The organizers were pleased by the response. “Here everybody who comes is an art lover.”

On January 4th, there was the opening of the Kolam Yoga exhibition, at which Grace exhibited some of her beautiful kolams, along with detailed explanations of their significance as well as kolam workshops. Grace has researched extensively the kolam and developed an integral and pedagogical method of teaching it. The Kolam Yoga training syllabus enables the participants after completion to be certified in understanding, implementing and practicing the art of kolam as an integral tool of living life.

Various events were held to celebrate Republic Day, 26th January. In addition to the traditional flag hoisting ceremony, there was an interactive session with Governing Board member Dr. Parmeshwaran and his wife Mrs. Ojasi on the role of Sanskrit in education and in law, and a two hour ‘Super-hit’ Tamil theatrical extravaganza combining drama, song, dance and film.

The Centre d’Art, Citadines, put on an exhibition by Jyoti of a series of works entitled ‘Anima’ in which he explored the material and immaterial dimensions of a simple water pot, culminating in images of lotuses. As one enthusiastic reviewer put it, “Here the art works are practically a series of records of his inner transformation”.

Suhasini has won the Green Architecture Award organised by J. K. Cement Limited for architects from eleven countries. It was awarded for the Humanscapes Habitat youth housing project. [see AVToday # 340 of November 2017].

On Saturday the 15th of February a gathering will be held at the Botanical Gardens to show the new movie “Ever Slow Green”. Prior to the screening there will be a chance to connect with other people involved in planting trees around the region through an interactive poster session of afforestation projects in South India. The idea is to set the work in Auroville in the wider context of efforts around the region to protect the native vegetation. (‘Moot’ is ancient Anglo-Saxon for a ‘gathering’).

The popular Sunday walks in Auroville farms and forests have resumed. A series of 15 walks will be led by Auroville stewards of farms and forests on successive Sundays until mid April.

The annual orchid exhibition was held over two days in Botanical Gardens in mid January. It was a great success as almost all the orchids on display, including some rare ones, were purchased.

L’Avenir d’Auroville/TDC reported that due to a drastic cut in Government funding they may have to suspend all work and activities unless additional funding is secured. The matter was discussed in depth with the Governing Board.

Members of the Governing Board visited Auroville on 23rd – 25th January to attend their 55th meeting. In an open session with the residents on Thursday, 23rd, the Chairman, Dr Karan Singh, admitted that the Board could have acted differently in relationship to accusations they had received concerning certain Aurovilians [see Auroville Today # 366, January, 2020]. Instead of immediately forwarding these accusations to the Ministry of Human Resource Development for further action, Aurovilians who were explicitly named should have been given the opportunity to defend themselves.

He also noted that the term of office of the present Governing Board would end in November, 2020. In reply to a request that he consider staying on as Chairman, he emphasized this is not in his hands but up to the Government of India. However, he would not seek a further term as he felt a younger person should now take up the task.

The annual marathon will take place on Sunday, 9th February. A marathon market will be held on the previous day and on the morning of the run.

Until now the approach proposed by the Tamil Nadu Govt to Auroville has been to constitute first of all an authority (NTDA), make a development plan, and then carry out a public consultation. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development of Tamil Nadu has now proposed that, as a first step, there should be a land use map for the Master Plan area, followed by a public consultation. The process could culminate with the local authority, in collaboration with the Auroville Foundation, having the power to issue No Objection Certificates within the Master Plan. The legal and administrative implications of the new proposal as well as the NTDA are being studied.

Exceptionally, this year’s north east monsoon began on time and extended into early January, 2020. Nevertheless, Charlie’s measurements in Aurogreen showed a 5.88% deficit in comparison with the average north east monsoon rainfall. The first five months of 2019 were exceptionally dry, registering a deficit of 93% of the average, while the south west monsoon summer rainfall was slightly above average. He recorded a total rainfall for the year of 1201.8 mm, which represents a deficit of 9.16% compared with the average rainfall for the past 42 years (1322 mm).

Meanwhile, to the west in Auroshilpam, Satprem recorded 1,097 mm. while a few kilometres south in Ravena, Jaap recorded a total rainfall of 1300 mm for the year. This indicates that the rain falling on the Auroville plateau can be quite localised at times.

In collaboration with the Pavilion of India, a small collection of tribal and folk handcrafted artisanal work was showcased in January in the New Art & Craft building in Bharat Nivas. It was organised by AadiKala, an organisation which promotes their art, craft and culture through exhibitions and documentary films.

The FAMC reported that the Auroville Foundation received an Income Tax order for the assessment year 2017-18 (financial year 2016-17) of Rs 14.5 crores, computed on the consolidated balance sheet, and another notice has been issued for the financial year 2017-2018. This challenges the validity of the income tax exemption that has been enjoyed by the Auroville Foundation for some years. The Auroville Foundation has engaged a Chartered Accountant to appeal the order and ensure that the notice for the assessment year 2018-2019 will be modified.

There is a proposal to establish a ‘Silver Fund’. Anybody who is 70 + years old and has been on the Auroville Master list for a minimum of 25 years can request financial support from the Silver Fund. The support provided will be irrespective of any other income. The Silver Fund will be managed jointly by the Working Committee and the Auroville Council. The details of the policy are still being worked out, but the final version will go to the Residents Assembly for approval.

After an absence of over five months, the News and Notes has resumed with a new team. It was sorely missed. In the interim, the Auronet team had been putting out a weekly news summary based on what has been published on Auronet.

The Auroville International annual meeting will take place in Auroville between 13th – 20th February. Working groups and individuals are invited to present their work and projects. The AVI centres will also give an update on their activities.