News from Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry)
Upcoming Events
20-27 May 2009: Annual Workshop on Integral Education
The Society's Annual Workshop on Integral Education will be held at Puducherry for teachers, parents and educationists dealing with children of KG and Primary level, from 20 to 27 May 2009. The Camp-cum-workshop will concentrate on Integral Education as envisioned by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Along with study and discussions, there will also be some practical programmes for teachers at mainly K.G. and Primary levels.
Recent Events 4 April 2009: Sri Aurobindo's Arrival at Puducherry
Sri Aurobindo in Pondicherry
Sri Aurobindo came to Pondicherry on 4 April 1910 to pursue a spiritual goal - the goal of supramental transformation - never before successfully attempted by anyone. While engaged in the freedom struggle in Bengal, Sri Aurobindo received an Adesh (a Divine Command) to go to Pondicherry. In one of his letters to a disciple he wrote:
"Pondicherry is my place of retreat, my cave of tapasya, not of the ascetic kind, but of a brand of my own invention."
24 April 2009, Darshan Day: The Mother's Final Arrival at Puducherry
The Mother came to Puducherry for the first time in March 1914. She returned to France in 1915 and then went to Japan in 1916. She returned to Puducherry on 24 April 1920, never to leave again. On this significant date, the Mother once wrote to a disciple:
April 24: The anniversary of my return to Pondicherry, which was the tangible sign of the sure Victory over the adverse forces.
The 89th Anniversary of the Mother's final arrival in Pondicherry was celebrated on 24 April 2009. There was meditation around the Samadhi from 6:00 to 6:30 am and a visit to Sri Aurobindo's Room thereafter. The message card distributed on the occasion can be viewed by clicking here.
News from Branches and Centres
News from India
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) - Centenary Celebrations of Sri Aurobindo's Arrival at Pondicherry
The centenary of Sri Aurobindo's arrival day at Pondicherry, 4th April, was celebrated throughout in Madhya Pradesh. Several Centres and Branches including Bhopal, Jabalpur, Khandwa, Ratlam, Nowgong , Bhind etc. organised programmes in schools in their respected towns and distributed booklets published by the Sri Aurobindo Society.
Children participating in the Sri Aurobindo's arrival - Centenary day celebrations
Noted Sitarist Miss Smita Nagdev, giving a performance
At Bhopal, in the morning of 4 April 2009, Shri R.S. Chamania, Dr D.N. Joshi and Shri Manoj Sharma spoke to the children about the occasion. In the evening a music programme of sitar recital by Noted Sitarist Miss Smita Nagdev organised at Auro mandir.
Sri Aurobindo Centre For Arts & Communication (SACAC), New Delhi
Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts & Communication (SACAC), a unit of Sri Aurobindo Society, has started a new PG Diploma in Audio Technology of one year duration with effect from the academic year 2009-10. The course is designed to develop Sound professionals with in-depth understanding of the principles of audio and acoustics. The students will be trained in live recording, mixing/mastering, acoustic design, sequencing, dubbing and so on."Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication", was earlier known as Sri Aurobindo Institute of Mass Communication. The new name will encapsulate the scope of the centre's activities in a better way. SACAC also offers one year PG Diploma programmes in Advertising & PR, Journalism in English and Hindi, Film & TV Production and Creative Photography.
SACAC intends to bring in positive changes in the way future media professionals and artists look at the realms of arts and communication. In line with the Centre's philosophy, special efforts are being made to integrate its scope of activities to a larger audience by regularly organising festivals, exhibitions and symposia. These events work as a platform where SACAC students can interact with other aspiring professionals to showcase their talents, exchange ideas and network to create likeminded groups who can make a difference in the media industry.
In May 2008, SACAC had organised "Beyond the Present - a national level symposium on art and expression" as a prelude to the purpose of media. In Dec. 2008 "Twilight" was organized for the second time, which is the first film festival exclusively meant for short films in India. "Vimarsh" - a series of lectures, has been started to act as a platform to discuss topical and socio-cultural issues.
For further information please visit http://www.saimc.com .
Porbandar (Gujarat)
Smt. Jyotiben, lighting the lamp. On the dais (L to R): Dr Rashminbhai Purohit, Prof Hinaben Odedara, Smt. Jyotiben Thanki, Smt. Ritaben Thakrar, Shri Ramjibhai Joshi
The Porbandar Centre of Sri Aurobindo Society organised a Workshop on "Garbh-Sanskaar and Baal Uchher (how to bring up a child)" at Dr. V.R. Godhaniya B. Ed College, Porbandar, on 12 April 2009. Smt. Prof. Jignesh Prashnani spoke on the "Life of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother", Smt. Jyotiben Thanki delivered a talk on Baal-Uchher" and Dr. Rashminbhai Purohit spoke on Garbh-Sanskaar". The Workshop was attended by about 50 people.
Gurgaon (Haryana)
The Gurgaon branch is carrying on the activity of collective study of Sri Aurobindo's and the Mother's works with devotion and seriousness. The subjects covered relate to both philosophy and practice of Integral Yoga. In February 2009, subjects such as The Twelve Powers of the Mother, The Law of Karma, The Concept of Religion, The Mother's comments on Dhammapada etc. were covered.
Mini booklets were distributed to the participants.
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh)
Lectures were organized on "Business and Yoga in the Light of Sri Aurobindo" on 22.03.2009, at Gomti Nagar, Lucknow. Dr. Mita Bisen played a key role in organizing the event. Justice M.P. Singh presided over the meeting. The special guest was Prof. A.K. Tripathi of the Medical College, Lucknow. Dr. J.P. Singh was the main speaker. Approximately 125 people participated. Booklets were distributed.
Shri J.P. Tewari, Vice Chairman of Sri Aurobindo Society, Lucknow branch, delivered a talk on the salient features of Sri Aurobindo's 'Purna Yoga' on 16.03.2009, as a part of the series of talks on Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and their work on earth organised by the Education Department of Lucknow University sponsored by the U.G.C.
Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh)
A seminar was organized by the Vrindavan centre at Vrindavan on 28th and 29th March 2009. The subject of the seminar was "Sri Krishna: Swaroop Aur Chetna". The seminar was well managed and was attended by a large number of devotees. Amarnath Vidya Ashram collaborated in organizing the seminar. The seminar was addressed by Shri Kaivalya Smart, Dr. D.N. Srivastava and others.
Amravati (Maharashtra)
Dr. Suman Kochar of Indore branch (M.P.) gave three talks on 14th and 15th February 2009, at the Amravati branch on Sri Aurobindo's book "The Mother". At the Hollywood Colony Centre she explained the "Path of Sri Aurobindo's Yoga". At Gadge Nagar centre she spoke on "Matri-Shakti and Its Work".
Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh)
The Tirupati branch celebrated the eleventh anniversary of Sri Aurobindo Vidyalaya on 29.03.2009. Shri M. Balarama Reddy, Chairman of the Tirupati branch of the Society presided. Shri T. Vasudeva Reddy, a retired professor in English, a poet and a novelist, was the chief guest. The children of Sri Aurobindo Vidyalaya performed a welcome dance and recited the Radha's Prayer.
The centenary of Sri Aurobindo's arrival at Puducherry was celebrated at the branch on 04.04.2009.
Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu)
The Cuddalore centre is organising a series of talks in Tamil by Smt. Bhuvana Sundari of Auroville on Sri Aurobindo's Savitri on the first Sunday of every month and on Bhagavad Gita in the light of Sri Aurobindo by Shri M.S. Sundararajan of Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry on the third Sunday of every month.
Chennai Anna Nagar (Tamil Nadu)
As a part of the celebrations of the Centenary of Sri Aurobindo's arrival in Pondicherry and the Golden Jubilee of Sri Aurobindo Society, the Anna Nagar centre of the Society in Chennai, has brought out the following booklets on the anniversary of Mother's final arrival on 24th April 2009:
1. Solutions to Ego problems - English 2. How to face difficulties of life - English 3. Agandhaiyai Velvathu eppadi - Tamil 4. Vazhkkaiyil Kashtangalai ethirkolvathu eppadi - Tamil
All the above booklets are compilations from the writings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. The first book is priced at Rs.20/- and the others Rs.25/- per copy. Centres and Branches of the Society will get a discount of 33 1/3%. Centres and Branches may contact the Anna Nagar Centre at the following address for their requirements:Sri Aurobindo Society Centre, AP514, 'J' Block, 8th Street, Anna Nagar, Chennai - 600 040. Phone : 044-26161826.
Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh)
The Jabalpur centre organised a programme on 04.04.2009, in Pandit Lajja Shankar Jha Model Middle School. The topic was "Children's Inner Development in the Light of Sri Aurobindo." Smt. Nilima Chaube, Headmistress of the school, was the chief guest. Smt. Kalpna Arjaria, secretary of the centre welcomed the guests. Shri B.R. Gupta and Shri Jitendra Bajpayee were the main speakers.
The children participated in the programme with great enthusiasm. The programme ended with distribution of prasad and booklets printed by Sri Aurobindo Society.
Padra (Madhya Pradesh)
To celebrate the anniversary of the arrival of Sri Aurobindo at Pondicherry, the Padra centre organised a programme on 4th April 2009. Morning session started with hoisting of the Mother's flag and a call to the Mother's force.
In the evening session from 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. following topics were discussed.'Sri Aurobindo - An Introduction ', 'Indian Culture', 'Youth', 'Women', 'Education' etc.
Bihar State Committee
In Bihar, we have a new committee with Shri K.K. Agarwal from Patna as Chairman and Shri Narayan Lal Das from Purnea as Secretary of the State Committee. It is after a long time that we have Chairman of the State Committee from the Capital and hoped it shall help advance the work. The Feb. Darshan Diwas was celebrated by all the centres with full devotion.
Gaya (Bihar)
A flower show was organised on 1st March 2009, which was very much appreciated and the visitors were very curious to learn their spiritual names and their significance as given by the Mother. It was well covered by the local press. Recitation of Durga Strota was held on 3rd April 2009, the Navaratra Day attended by 35 persons. home about the site 15th August the mother sri aurobindo about sas sas activities onlife, online
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