Issue Nº402

Jan 2023 (34 months ago)
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Celebration of Oneness

Gallery

Images from Youth Center fair and Seeds of Unity festival

Editorial

According to the Auroville Foundation Act, the International Advisory Council (IAC), which is the third component of the Auroville Foundation, has the responsibility to advise the Governing Board on any matter relating to the development of Auroville.

“I’m very optimistic”

An interview with Dena Merriam, By Alan and Carel

Ms. Dena Merriam, who has been elected the Chairperson of the Auroville International Advisory Council, is the founder and coordinator of the Global Peace Initiative for Women (GPIW), an international network of spiritual and community leaders that builds interfaith understanding and develops leadership in young community leaders concerning climate change.

Change has to come from within

An interview with Michel Danino

Michel Danino is a French-born Indian scholar of ancient Indian civilization, history and culture. He authored The Lost River: On the Trail of the Sarasvati (Penguin Books, 2010), Indian Culture and India’s Future (DK Printworld, 2011), and edited Sri Aurobindo and India’s Rebirth (Rupa, 2018).

Collaboration is the way forward

Reflection, By Manoj Pavithran

Manoj Pavithran is an integral yoga practitioner, educator and filmmaker. He was drawn to Sri Aurobindo in 1989 and eventually joined Auroville in 1995.

Creating a space for dialogue and healing

Feature, By Alan

Some time ago, Ms Dena Merriam, Chairperson of the International Advisory Council (IAC), approached Raghu Ananthanarayanan with the approval of the Governing Board (GB) to see if he could help in identifying the next steps towards healing and dialogue in Auroville.

Finding oneself in community

Event review, By Peter

The Auroville Youth Center’s (YC) annual gathering, themed this year as the ‘Find Yourself Festival’, took place on 16-18 December. The community was invited ‘to come together to celebrate in a safe, joyful, and playful space for the realization of human unity.’

Findhorn’s 60th birthday

Reflection, By Peter

On November 17, the Findhorn community celebrated its 60th birthday, marking the occasion when the founders and their children arrived onto what is now known as ‘The Park’.

Singing the way forward

Event review, By Peter

On December 10 and 11 the Auroville Choir, led by Nuria, presented an evening of a cappella ‘Spirituals and Gospel Songs’. These originated predominantly in the American South and emerged through the African American community’s experience and response to slavery and discrimination.

Gastronomica

An interview with Antonello, By Chandra

Antonello comes from Northern Italy and moved to Auroville in 2014, where he now lives with his partner and children. He runs ‘Gastronomica’, an Italian take away gourmet store - sometimes affectionately referred to as the Italian Pavilion - that has gained popularity within and outside of Auroville, thanks to its handmade pasta, Italian takeaway dishes, and imported Italian culinary products.

News in Brief

Human unity gathering On 4th December, one year after the demolition of Youth Centre buildings, concerned residents invited Aurovilians, Newcomers and Volunteers to come together at the Town Hall to make offerings of flowers and enjoy peace dances, live music and food.

Survey on restorative processes between RA, GB and IAC A short survey for residents to fill out was launched in October 2022 and received about 230 submissions. The aim of this survey is not to make any decision, and its results are not binding.

Selection process 2023 The Residents’ Assembly Service has invited all confirmed Aurovilians to take part in the next selection process. 3 members are to be selected for the Entry Board, 2 for the Auroville Council and 6 for the FAMC.

61st meeting of the Governing Board The 61st meeting of the Governing Board took place on 8th November 2022. The RA Working Committee, and the other RA working groups, were not given time to present, despite requests.

Secretary meets Lt. Governor According to The Hindu, Auroville Foundation Secretary, Jayanti Ravi, called on Lt. Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, who is a member of the Auroville Governing Board, at the Raj Nivas on Saturday 25th December.

IAC and AVI meeting The International Advisory Council (IAC) and the AVI Board met for their second exchange via Zoom on 15th November 2022. Dena Merriam, Gabi Gillessen and HP Rama participated from the IAC’s side and 13 members from the AVI Board.

Visas Over the past weeks, the RA Working Committee reported that there has been once again an alarming rise of visa issues for a number of Aurovilians.

Entering of new Aurovilians into the RoR It is estimated that approximately 130 Aurovilians who have completed their Entry Process are still waiting to be added to the Register of Residents (RoR).

Tree plantation The Foundation appointed L’Avenir/ATDC has written to the community explaining that no tree plantation can take place without explicit permission from them, adding “Any resident found to be planting without permission shall face consequences.”

Crown road works The FO ATDC announced that the Crown Road work will restart with a stretch of the Crown inaccessible until the end of December 2022. Since 29th November, teams of road workers have restarted dismantling the existing road.

Cease land exchange In a letter sent to Dr. Jayanti Ravi and members of the Land Board sent by the four Working Groups selected by the Residents’ Assembly, they point out that they have come to know that land exchanges are in process and at least two have been finalised over the last months.