Auroville's monthly news magazine since 1988

Issue Nº411

Oct 2023 (25 months ago)
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A Call to the Future

Feature, By Raag Yadava and Nidhi Harihar

Raag Yadava is an Assistant Professor of Law at the National Law School, Bangalore. He was previously legal counsel for the Government of India for its investment trade disputes and currently serves as Director of the Uttarayana Faith Foundation

A 650-page study on Auroville’s organization, made by Professor Raag Yadava and his team, has been published. It is available on the Auroville website.

A framework study for Auroville

An interview with Raag Yadava, By Carel

“I am here because of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo”

An interview with Mr Srinivasmurty, By Alan

Srinivasmurty

Mr. Srinivasmurty was a member of the Auroville Foundation administration for the last 28 years, serving many different Secretaries and fulfilling different roles.

“We’ve set out to do Mother’s work”

A profile of Judith, By Carel

Judith

Judith joined Auroville in 1971. Here she talks about her journey.

The rise and fall of the Aura network

Feature, By Aman Kapur

Aura app screenshots

A project evaluation by Aman who grew up in Auroville and at present is studying in the USA.

Ruminations: Two Dreams

Reflection, By Maurice Shukla

Maurice Shukla

Maurice Shukla grew up as a child in the Mother's School and now helps wherever he can be useful at the Ashram: translating, editing, teaching and, evidently, forever learning.

The unspoken divide

Reflection, By Alan

It is no secret that there are divisions within the community at present.

Demise of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, ex-Chairman of the Auroville Foundation Dr. M.S Swaminathan, distinguished agricultural scientist and the leader of India’s Green Revolution, passed away on Thursday 28 September, at the age of 98.

Legal updates On 12th August last year, the case regarding the legitimacy of the Residents Assembly working groups was judged in favour of the RA. Soon after, on 26th August, the AVFO appealed the case, and obtained a temporary stay on the judgement, pending the outcome of the appeal.

Matrimandir lake presentation On 19th September, Michael Bonke presented to the community future plans for the Matrimandir lake. This includes an underwater reservoir for drinking water, the first in the world, sufficient to support 50,000 Aurovilians for 100 days; and the development of hydro-power storage directly linked to a solar plant towards making Auroville independent of the TNEB grid.

Revelation tree cutting In June 2023, for 2 days, workers employed by the AVFO Land Board, cut a total of 1,863 trees aged between 3-15 years old in Revelation Forest Sanctuary.

Possible land exchange in Forecomers and Ravena The Foundation Office is reportedly considering exchanging 22 acres in the heart of Forecomers and Ravena communities for poramboke land in the City Centre area.

Solitude land dispute Embroiled in a land issue, as seven members of the neighbouring panchayats claimed that part of Solitude Farm was partially built on temple land.

Forest workers gratuity payments On 11th September, the Forest Group wrote to the FO FAMC and FO BCC requesting that they fulfil financial obligations to fifty forest workers, some of whom have worked in Auroville forests for over forty years.

Auroville Green Services Auroville Green (Belt) Services is a new group formed by the FO FAMC. A few of the existing Forest Group members decided to join the newly formed group, but the Forest Group clarified that these members joined this group in their personal capacity and in no way are a voice of the Forest Group.

RA WC letter to the community On 18th September, the RA Working Committee shared an open letter in which they state that they “are aware that many of us struggle to stay positive and not give in to exhaustion and fear and a feeling of helplessness at the destruction and lack of humanity that seems to go on with no consequence”.

Safety concerns on the Crown The ongoing works on the Crown Road, which have slowed or halted on some stretches, combined with summer monsoon rains, have caused difficult travelling conditions.

Visitors Center books On 19th August 2023, the team working at the Visitors’ Center (VC) Information Service was instructed by email to remove all written material by 1st September 2023.

Asset survey The FO FAMC, in association with the Housing Service Team, is initiating a survey of the income generating and service units to gather asset-related information from these units to update the database.

Auroville Literature Festival videos Videos of the presentations made at the Auroville Literature Festival on 25th-27th August have now been released online. For more information visit aurovillelitfest.org or write to aurovillelitfest@auroville.org.in

Blind Babble Event Youthlink, which is a diverse group of youth from Auroville who work towards creating a positive impact in Auroville, invited all residents to a ‘Blind Babble Event’ on 14th Sept.