Auroville's monthly news magazine since 1988
Jan 2023 (33 months ago) Download PDF (free download)
A visual notebook
A wide-ranging dialogue with Dena Merriam — Questions 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. Ms. Merriam has been a student of Paramahansa Yogananda and a practitioner of Kriya Yoga meditation for over 50 years, and a long time student of the great texts of the Vedic tradition. She received her Master’s degree from Columbia University and has served on the boards of Harvard University Center for the Study of World Religions, and many other international and Indian interfaith organizations. In 2014 she received the Niwano Peace Prize for her interfaith peace efforts.
A wide-ranging dialogue 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). Since 2011 he has been associated with IIT Gandhinagar in Gujarat where he is visiting professor, helped create its Archaeological Sciences Centre, and initiated courses and activities related to Indian knowledge systems. He is also a member of the Research Council for History of Science (INSA); Central Advisory Board on Culture (Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India); and National Steering Committee for the development of National Curriculum Frameworks (Ministry of Education, Govt. of India). Michel lived in Auroville between 1977-1982 and has kept close contact with the community ever since. He has also translated into English most volumes of Mother’s Agenda and many of Satprem’s books. Last year, he was appointed a member of the International Advisory Board.
Reflection — Reported 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. He co-founded Purnam Centre for Integrality in Auroville (purnam.auroville.org) to develop and offer educational programmes. His film series Evolution Fast-forward can be found at www.sopanam.org. He has authored a book - Pilgrims of the Infinite based on his personal journey.
In-depth feature — Authored 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. Raghu’s focus is on organisation design and change management and he has devoted almost two decades to transforming the organizational culture of several leading organizations. He has also taught yoga and developed a unique methodology called “Totally Aligned Organisation” that brings together his understanding of manufacturing systems, human processes and yoga. Raghu conversed with diverse Aurovilians, including both Working Committees, as well as with the International Advisory Council and Governing Board, and then made a video presentation of his initial findings – which he called a ‘first landscape study to start a conversation’ – to the IAC and GB. On 21st November, the community was invited to see the video presentation and then interact with Raghu via Zoom. About 100 Aurovilians participated. A subsequent interaction took place on 3rd December. Here are some of his observations from the video presentation which, he stressed, were not based upon experience of Auroville but on his interactions with those who had agreed to dialogue with him. He also pointed out that he is not focusing upon particular events but upon the underlying dynamic, the way that people respond to events and the meaning they give to them.
Impressions from the event — Reported 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. A large choir of about forty men and women performed in the CRIPA hall. An overflowing audience braved the dug-up roads and post cyclonic weather to enjoy a choral evening of a dozen or so songs sung with a familiar high quality.
A wide-ranging dialogue with Antonello — Questions 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.
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...
Selection process 2023 The Residents’ Assembly Service has invited all confirmed Aurovilians to take part in the next selection process...
61st meeting of the Governing Board The 61st meeting of the Governing Board took place on 8th November 2022...
Secretary meets Lt. Governor According to The Hindu, Auroville Foundation Secretary, Jayanti Ravi, called on Lt...
IAC and AVI meeting The International Advisory Council (IAC) and the AVI Board met for their second exchange via Zoom on 15th November 2022...
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...
Cease land exchange In a letter sent to Dr...
Housing survey The Housing Service is responsible for maintaining the database of all the housing assets of Auroville...
Foundation FAMC resport The FO appointed FAMC reports that it is taking forward a centralized platform for all Auroville trusts...
Legal matters On 7th December, the FAMC case filed by Namrita Gautier came up in the Madras High Court...
Massacre In what one resident described as a ‘massacre’, an elegant bronze statue located behind the Media Centre at the Town Hall was unaccountably painted blue recently...