News from Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry)
Upcoming Events
17th and 20th November 2006 - Maha-Samadhi of the Mother
The Mother
The Mother left her body on 17th November 1973. Her body was laid in the Samadhi on 20th November. The Mother's room will be open for darshan for devotees on 17th November 2006. Here is what the Mother once wrote about Herself:
"I am French by birth and early education, I am Indian by choice and predilection. In my consciousness there is no antagonism between the two, on the contrary, they combine very well and complete one another. I know also that I can be of service to both equally, for my only aim in life is to give a concrete form to Sri Aurobindo's great teaching and in his teaching he reveals that all the nations are essentially one and meant to express the Divine Unity upon earth through an organised and harmonious diversity."
When pressed about the details of her physical life, this was Her brief reply:
"Do not ask questions about the details of the material existence of this body; they are in themselves of no interest and must not attract attention. Throughout all this life, knowingly or unknowingly, I have been what the Lord wanted me to be, I have done what the Lord wanted me to do. That alone matters."
24th November 2006 - Siddhi Day
24th November 2006 is a very significant day, especially for the devotees of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, as it marks the 80th anniversary of the Siddhi Day - The Day of Victory -, the descent of the Sri Krishna Consciousness or the Overmental Consciousness into the physical. This was the first decisive step towards the Supramental Manifestation which took place in 1956.
About this event Sri Aurobindo later wrote in a letter:
"The 24th November [1926] was the descent of Krishna into the physical…. The descent of Krishna would mean the descent of the Overmind Godhead preparing, though not itself actually, the descent of Supermind and Ananda. Krishna is the Anandamaya; he supports the evolution through the Overmind leading it towards his Ananda."
The 24th November 1926 is also the day when the Sri Aurobindo Ashram came into being. It is therefore the planting of the seed which has how grown into a huge and mighty banyan tree with a presence all over the world.
And this is what the Mother once explained to the children when she was asked why She and Sri Aurobindo created the Ashram at Puducherry:
"My child, that is why the Ashram was created... because, in France, I was always asking myself: How can one find the time to find oneself ? How can one even find the time to understand how to become free? So then I thought: a place where material needs will be sufficiently provided for, so that if one truly wants to become free, one can do so. And the Ashram was founded on this idea, not on any other -- a place where people would have enough to live on so as to have time to think of the True Thing."
Annual Seminar of the Women's Council - 2006: "Progressive Friendship with the Divine"
The Women's Council of Sri Aurobindo Society welcomes you to join its annual Seminar, on the theme of 'Progressive Friendship with the Divine', to be held at the Society's Beach Office at No.1, Rangapillai Street, Puducherry, on 21, 22, 23 November 2006. All interested, both women and men, are welcome to participate. For information and accommodation, write to The Secretary - Women's Council Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry - 605 002, mentioning the type of accommodation required and in what range.
The Mother's room opens for general Darshan on 17 November and Sri Aurobindo's Room on the Siddhi Day i.e. 24 November. You can plan your stay in Puducherry from 16 to 25 November 2006 to avail of both Darshans and the Seminar in-between.
Dr. M.V. Nadkarni's forthcoming Series of Talks
The Society will organise two study camps by Dr. Mangesh Nadkarni at its Beach Office hall: 1. From 26 November to 4 December 2006 on Sri Aurobindo's "Essays on the Gita" 2. From 23 February to 5 March 2007 on Sri Aurobindo's "Savitri"
As usual there will be two sessions daily 9:00 to 10:00 am and 10:30 to 11:45 am. The talks are open to all.
Recent Events
7 - 14 October 2006: Mini-Camp for Teacher Trainees from the University of Lucknow
Vijaybhai, interacting with the Group
The teacher trainees, wrapt in listening
A group of 30 teacher trainees from the educational dept. of the University of Lucknow visited Puducherry from 7 to 14 as part of their educational tour. After a brief introduction to the Ashram and to the education at the Ashram school, the principles of the integral education were discussed in detail. Many points related to the way education and teacher-training were currently imparted, also came up for discussion. Over the days, the group was also taken to visit some of the dept. of the Ashram and Auroville.
Dr. Sampadananda Mishra's Visit to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam
Inauguration of the 3-day teacher training programme
Dr. Sampadananda Mishra of Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry, was invited as a resource person to conduct a three-day training programme for the Sanskrit teachers of the Vivekananda Kendra Schools of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Teachers from twenty-six schools came to participate in the training programme. Most of them were postgraduates in Sanskrit with B.Ed. The following topics were discussed in detail during the programme:
Importance of Sanskrit and its relevance to our day to day life • Sanskrit Alphabet • Sanskrit Chandas • How to teach Sanskrit grammar in an effective and interesting manner • Conversational Sanskrit • How to make Sanskrit classes vibrant and activity oriented • Ways and means to popularize Sanskrit in youths of modern time
Dr. Mishra, interacting with the teachers
Apart from the above topics, many other issues related to the syllabus of their schools were also taken up for the discussion. Addressing to the participants on the final day, Dr. Mishra in his speech put emphasis on discovering new and effective methods of teaching Sanskrit. He made it clear in the meeting that for achieving anything good one needs to do hard work and one needs to have sincerity and patience.
With the school students, learning the basic Sanskrit vocabulary
On 10 October Dr. Mishra also addressed the students of class nine and ten of the Vivekananda Kendra School, Jayarampur, Arunachal Pradesh, and explained to them about the beauty of Sanskrit language by giving many examples. He also taught them a basic vocabulary of Sanskrit words to be used everyday. At the end of the session the students were found identifying the parts of the body and names of the weekdays in Sanskrit.
Some Special Days in November - December 2006
1 December 2006 - Gita Jayanti
Sri Krishna & Arjuna
The Gita Jayanti, or the birthday of the Bhagavad Gita, which is celebrated throughout India, falls this year on 1 December. Traditionally it is held that on this day Sanjaya started narrating to King Dhritarashtra the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, and thus made the glorious teaching of the Lord available to the people of the world, for all time. The unique place of the Gita among the great scriptures of the world and the relevance of its teaching in our day-to-day life is brought out in the luminous words of Sri Aurobindo:
"The peculiarity of the Gita among the great religious books of the world is that it does not stand apart as a work by itself, the fruit of the spiritual life of a creative personality like Christ, Mahomed or Buddha or of an epoch of pure spiritual searching like the Veda and Upanishads, but is given as an episode in an epic history of nations and their wars and men and their deeds and arises out of a critical moment in the soul of one of its leading personages face to face with the crowning action of his life, a work terrible, violent and sanguinary, at the point when he must either recoil from it altogether or carry it through to its inexorable completion. "…The teaching of the Gita must therefore be regarded not merely in the light of a general spiritual philosophy or ethical doctrine, but as bearing upon a practical crisis in the application of ethics and spirituality to human life."
News from Branches and Centres
News from Abroad Nairobi (Kenya) - 3rd Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo's Relics
Hoisting of the Mother's flag
Members, collaborators and friends of the Sri Aurobindo Society, Nairobi Centre celebrated the 3rd Anniversary of the Enshrinement of Sri Aurobindo's Relics at the Sri Aurobindo Bhavan on 13th July 2006.
Musical recital "Samarpan"
The Mother's flag was hoisted at the Bhavan in the morning at 8 a.m., followed by prayers. In the evening an hour's musical recital "Samarpan" was offered to Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Dhruv Bhatt and associates started the recital with "Om Namo Bhagavate" and ended with "Om Anandamayi, Chaitanyamayi, Satyamayi Parame" and the entire congregation joined in reciting this Mantra. About one hundred and thirty people attended the programme. Prasad in the form of dinner was served after the recitation. The book "Aim of Life", along with a bouquet of white and red roses, was presented to all.
Other Programmes: On 19th August 2006 a member of the Nairobi Centre was invited by the United States International University, Nairobi, to participate in the Congregation assembled for the Graduation Ceremony. About six hundred students graduated on that occasion. More than five thousand people were assembled at the venue Kasarani Stadium. The United States International University extended their gratitude to the Society for their fine gesture.
On 26th August 2006 the Nairobi Centre presented the deluxe set of collected works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother to the Kenya National Library. Four senior representatives of Kenya National Library visited the Sri Aurobindo Bhavan and received the volumes.
On 7th October 2006 five members of the Nairobi Centre presented 11,000 booklets in 11 different titles to Kenyatta National Hospital - the largest national hospital of Kenya. One of the members of the Society gave a brief introduction on the contents of the booklets after reading out the Mother's Morning Prayer. These booklets will be distributed in the provincial Branches of the hospital throughout Kenya.
Shri Gopal Bhattacharjee's Visit
The International Secretary of Sri Aurobindo Society, Shri Gopal Bhattacharjee, visited the Society's Centres in Germany and the U.K. during August and September 2006. In Weinheim, Germany, there was a public function on 19th August 2006 where he gave a talk on "Sri Aurobindo and His Relevance in the Present Day Happenings of the World". From Weinheim, where our Centre is situated, he visited Heidelberg and Fortsheim mainly to meet devotees and friends.
In U.K., besides visiting the Society's Centre in Harrow, he also visited Kent and Oxford where he had group meetings. At the Harrow Centre he delivered two talks on 26th August and 9th September 2006. The subjects were "Relevance of Sri Aurobindo in the Modern World" and "Savitri" respectively. A popular weekly "The New World" published two articles on Sri Aurobindo and the Mother during his visit. This magazine also published an interview with Shri Gopal Bhattacharjee on the teachings of Sri Aurobindo.
News from India
Sri Aurobindo Society Hindi Zonal Conference
Two-day annual conference of Hindi speaking States
The annual conference of Sri Aurobindo Society (Hindi Zone) was held on 7th and 8th October 2006 at the Society's Branch at Noida, U.P.
Chief Guest Shri Shivraj V. Patil, Hon'ble Home Minister, lighting the lamp
The inaugural function on 7th October was presided over by His Excellency Shri T.N. Chaturvedi, Governor of Karnataka. Shri Shivraj V. Patil, Hon'ble Home Minister, was the chief guest. Shri Hari Shankar Singhania, President, JK Organisation, and Dr. Abid Hussain, former Indian Ambassador to USA were the guests of honour. About 300 persons attended the inaugural function, including various distinguished persons such as Dr. L.M. Singhvi, former Indian High Commissioner to U.K., Shri B.P. Singhal, ex-Member of Parliament, and Shri Mahesh Prasad, IAS (Retd.).
His Excellency Shri T.N. Chaturvedi, Governor of Karnataka, speaking at the inaugural session. Also seen on the dais (from left) Shri Om Prakash Dani, Chairman, Noida Branch, Dr.Abid Hussain, Former Indian Ambassador to USA, H'ble Home Minister Shri Shivraj V. Patil, Shri Hari Shankar Singhania, President J.K.Organisation, Shri Vijay K. Poddar, Chairman, HIndi Zone & Dr.Suresh Chand Tyagi, Secretary, Hindi Zone
Specific sessions were organised on different aspects of Sri Aurobindo's teachings. The first session was chaired by former Chief Justice of India Shri R.C. Lahoti. Padma Shri Dr. Shyam Singh Shashi was the key speaker. The subject was "Sri Aurobindo Ka Samaj".
On 8th October 2006, the second session on "Atimanas - Swarup aur Avirbhav" was chaired by Shri Vijay K. Poddar, Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society Zonal Committee (Hindi). The main speaker of the session was Dr. Devaki Nandan Srivastav. His Excellency Shri T.N. Chaturvedi, Governor of Karnataka, also participated in this session.
A view of the audience
The third session, on "Bharat ki Niyati aur Bhumika", was chaired by Dr. Suman Kochar and Shri Kaivalya Smart was the key speaker. The concluding session was chaired by the Chairman of the SAS Zonal Committee (Hindi) Shri Vijay K. Poddar.
More than 100 delegates from U.P., Uttaranchal, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand and Haryana participated in the conference. The conference was organised by the office bearers of the Noida Branch, lead by Shri Om Prakash Dani, Chairman of the Branch.
Aurangabad (Maharashtra)
Sri Aurobindo's Birth Anniversary: The Aurangabad Centre celebrated the 134th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo on 15th August 2006. The programme started with prayers and bhajans by Shilpa and Shweta. As it was also the occasion of Janmashtami, Prof. Ramesh Dhoble gave a talk on one of the chapters from the "Essays on the Gita". After the talk, there was collective chanting of "Hymn to Durga", followed by collective meditation. After the meditation, Darshan Day cards were distributed to all.
Essay competition for students underway
Essay-writing Competition & Antarnad: An essay competition was organised by the Centre on the occasion of Sri Aurobindo's birth anniversary in the month of Aug. 2006. 95 students from 12 different schools and around 35 students from various colleges participated. The following topics were given for the competition:
1. Sri Aurobindo - His life and mission 2. If there were no exams… 3. India: As I dream
On 24th Sep. 2006 the Abhipsa Youth Wing of the Centre conducted a half-day workshop "Antarnad" for the same students at the Vivekananda College. The first session of the workshop was "Goshti Manachya" - "Interesting Aspects Of Mind". Dr. Madhushri Sawaji, a medical practitioner, conducted it. She is also very actively involved in different projects for the education of children. She narrated several small incidents related to different aspects of human mind in a very interesting manner and made it easy for the students to understand.
Dr. Chhaya Mahajan, a noted writer and Head of English Dept., Mahila Mahavidyalaya, conducted the second session "Improving Writing Skills". She guided the students on imagination and expression. She highlighted the importance of good writing and how to improve it. Both the sessions were interactive. All the students actively participated and were very happy to get satisfactory answers to their queries.
This workshop was followed by a prize distribution function of the essay competition. Dr. Saralatai Nagraj from Amrawati, an eminent speaker on "Savitri" in Marathi, and Shri Gyanprakashji Modani, a noted industrialist, distributed prizes to the winners of this essay competition. All the participants were given a certificate of participation. Members of the Aurangabad Centre and guardians of the students were also present for both the functions. Now the Centre is planning to organise more such workshops on a regular basis.
Thiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu)
Exhibition on "Spiritual significance of flowers"
The Thiruchi Centre celebrated their 3rd anniversary on 7th and 8th October 2006. On 7th October an exhibition was organised on "Spiritual Significance of Flowers", in which about 250 varieties of flowers were displayed and a display of photographs and books in which rare photographs of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother were exhibited. The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Jayabal, Chairman, GVN Hospitals. About 1000 people visited the exhibition.
Workshop on "Future Education" under progress
On 8th October a workshop on "Future Education" was held in the forenoon. Dr. A. Rajendran, Head Master, KAPV Hr. Sec. School, Thiruchi, conducted the workshop. About 30 students from various schools and colleges in Thiruchi participated. In the evening a public meeting was arranged. Shri S.M. Krishnan, Scientist, CECRI, Karaikudi, presided over the meeting. Shri K. Ananthakrishnan, Secretary, Sri Aurobindo Society, Coimbatore Centre, delivered a special address. Shri K. Thamilvel, Secretary of the Thiruchi Centre, read out the Annual Report.
Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
Shri Pradeep Narang, Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry, visited the Society's Branch at Chennai and participated in the collective meditation on Sunday the 15th October 2006. He spoke on "Life and Death" as revealed by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. The talk was attended by about 200 devotees and members.
Vellore (Tamil Nadu)
The Vellore Centre arranged a lecture by Shri N.V. Balu of the Anna Nagar Centre, Chennai, on 4 October 2006 on the "Duties of the Devotees of the Mother". They also arranged Shri Balu's talk on 5 October 2006 on "Aim of Education" as envisaged by the Mother at the Govt. High School, Wallajah.
Mussoorie (Uttaranchal)
Seminar on "India in Sri Aurobindo's View" by the Mussoorie Centre
The Mussoorie Centre celebrated their anniversary on 17 September 2006. On this occasion they organised a seminar "India in Sri Aurobindo's View". Shri Bhan Singh Chauhan, Chairman of the Centre, talked about Sri Aurobindo's spiritual message and His fight for the independence of India as a revolutionary Yogi. The seminar was also addressed by Shri S.C. Tyagi, Chairman of the U.P. and Uttaranchal State Committee of the Society, and Dr. Suman Kochar, Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh State Committee. Shri L.K. Srivastava, Chairman of the Dehradun Branch of the Society was also on the dais.
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
The Visakhapatnam Centre organised a lecture on 3 Sept. 2006 by Shri K.R.L. Narasimha Rao, Chairman of the Society's Jaggayyapeta Centre, on "Relevance of Sri Aurobindo's and the Mother's Teachings Today". Shri T.V. Ramana Rao, Chairman of the Visakhapatnam Centre, presided. Prof. K.V. Ramana, former Vice-chancellor of Andhra University, Dr. Y. Parthasarathy, former Dy. Chairman of VPT, Prof. A.V.R. Shastry, Dr. A. Prabhavathi, Dr. Rajeshwari Sankaran and Shri G.K. Raju were among those present in the large gathering.
The Centre also organised a one-day seminar on 15 October 2006 on "Vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Future of India". Inaugural address was delivered by Prof. K.V. Ramana, former Vice-chancellor, Andhra Pradesh, and the keynote address by Sri K.V. Rao of Sri Aurobindo Society, Vijayawada. Shri KRL Narasimha Rao of Sri Aurobindo Society, Jaggayyapeta, spoke on "Life Divine in Action" and Shri K. Venkateswarlu, editor of the magazine 'Akhila', and Shri P.C. Swaroop, State Youth Coordinator, spoke on youth education. Shri D. Venkateswara Rao summed up the proceedings and the seminar ended with a question & answer session. About 75 persons participated in the programme.
Godavarikhani (Andhra Pradesh)
The Godavarikhani Centre organised a lecture-cum-interaction programme on "How to bring up a Child" on 14 October 2006 at Sri Venkateswara Vidyaniketan High School, Godavarikhani. Shri Ganta Narayana, Chairman of the Centre, delivered a talk on the subject and interacted with the parents and teachers. 26 parents, 30 teachers and 150 students participated in the programme. The Centre proposes to hold such programmes weekly in selected high schools and colleges.
home about the site 15th August the mother sri aurobindo about sas sas activities onlife, online calendar sas & you the ashram centre of education auroville pondicherry sitemap what's new related links archive feedback audio "Om namoh bhagvate..."
Upcoming Events
17th and 20th November 2006 - Maha-Samadhi of the Mother
The Mother
The Mother left her body on 17th November 1973. Her body was laid in the Samadhi on 20th November. The Mother's room will be open for darshan for devotees on 17th November 2006. Here is what the Mother once wrote about Herself:
"I am French by birth and early education, I am Indian by choice and predilection. In my consciousness there is no antagonism between the two, on the contrary, they combine very well and complete one another. I know also that I can be of service to both equally, for my only aim in life is to give a concrete form to Sri Aurobindo's great teaching and in his teaching he reveals that all the nations are essentially one and meant to express the Divine Unity upon earth through an organised and harmonious diversity."
When pressed about the details of her physical life, this was Her brief reply:
"Do not ask questions about the details of the material existence of this body; they are in themselves of no interest and must not attract attention. Throughout all this life, knowingly or unknowingly, I have been what the Lord wanted me to be, I have done what the Lord wanted me to do. That alone matters."
24th November 2006 - Siddhi Day
24th November 2006 is a very significant day, especially for the devotees of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, as it marks the 80th anniversary of the Siddhi Day - The Day of Victory -, the descent of the Sri Krishna Consciousness or the Overmental Consciousness into the physical. This was the first decisive step towards the Supramental Manifestation which took place in 1956.
About this event Sri Aurobindo later wrote in a letter:
"The 24th November [1926] was the descent of Krishna into the physical…. The descent of Krishna would mean the descent of the Overmind Godhead preparing, though not itself actually, the descent of Supermind and Ananda. Krishna is the Anandamaya; he supports the evolution through the Overmind leading it towards his Ananda."
The 24th November 1926 is also the day when the Sri Aurobindo Ashram came into being. It is therefore the planting of the seed which has how grown into a huge and mighty banyan tree with a presence all over the world.
And this is what the Mother once explained to the children when she was asked why She and Sri Aurobindo created the Ashram at Puducherry:
"My child, that is why the Ashram was created... because, in France, I was always asking myself: How can one find the time to find oneself ? How can one even find the time to understand how to become free? So then I thought: a place where material needs will be sufficiently provided for, so that if one truly wants to become free, one can do so. And the Ashram was founded on this idea, not on any other -- a place where people would have enough to live on so as to have time to think of the True Thing."
Annual Seminar of the Women's Council - 2006: "Progressive Friendship with the Divine"
The Women's Council of Sri Aurobindo Society welcomes you to join its annual Seminar, on the theme of 'Progressive Friendship with the Divine', to be held at the Society's Beach Office at No.1, Rangapillai Street, Puducherry, on 21, 22, 23 November 2006. All interested, both women and men, are welcome to participate. For information and accommodation, write to The Secretary - Women's Council Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry - 605 002, mentioning the type of accommodation required and in what range.
The Mother's room opens for general Darshan on 17 November and Sri Aurobindo's Room on the Siddhi Day i.e. 24 November. You can plan your stay in Puducherry from 16 to 25 November 2006 to avail of both Darshans and the Seminar in-between.
Dr. M.V. Nadkarni's forthcoming Series of Talks
The Society will organise two study camps by Dr. Mangesh Nadkarni at its Beach Office hall: 1. From 26 November to 4 December 2006 on Sri Aurobindo's "Essays on the Gita" 2. From 23 February to 5 March 2007 on Sri Aurobindo's "Savitri"
As usual there will be two sessions daily 9:00 to 10:00 am and 10:30 to 11:45 am. The talks are open to all.
Recent Events
7 - 14 October 2006: Mini-Camp for Teacher Trainees from the University of Lucknow
Vijaybhai, interacting with the Group
The teacher trainees, wrapt in listening
A group of 30 teacher trainees from the educational dept. of the University of Lucknow visited Puducherry from 7 to 14 as part of their educational tour. After a brief introduction to the Ashram and to the education at the Ashram school, the principles of the integral education were discussed in detail. Many points related to the way education and teacher-training were currently imparted, also came up for discussion. Over the days, the group was also taken to visit some of the dept. of the Ashram and Auroville.
Dr. Sampadananda Mishra's Visit to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam
Inauguration of the 3-day teacher training programme
Dr. Sampadananda Mishra of Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry, was invited as a resource person to conduct a three-day training programme for the Sanskrit teachers of the Vivekananda Kendra Schools of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Teachers from twenty-six schools came to participate in the training programme. Most of them were postgraduates in Sanskrit with B.Ed. The following topics were discussed in detail during the programme:
Importance of Sanskrit and its relevance to our day to day life • Sanskrit Alphabet • Sanskrit Chandas • How to teach Sanskrit grammar in an effective and interesting manner • Conversational Sanskrit • How to make Sanskrit classes vibrant and activity oriented • Ways and means to popularize Sanskrit in youths of modern time
Dr. Mishra, interacting with the teachers
Apart from the above topics, many other issues related to the syllabus of their schools were also taken up for the discussion. Addressing to the participants on the final day, Dr. Mishra in his speech put emphasis on discovering new and effective methods of teaching Sanskrit. He made it clear in the meeting that for achieving anything good one needs to do hard work and one needs to have sincerity and patience.
With the school students, learning the basic Sanskrit vocabulary
On 10 October Dr. Mishra also addressed the students of class nine and ten of the Vivekananda Kendra School, Jayarampur, Arunachal Pradesh, and explained to them about the beauty of Sanskrit language by giving many examples. He also taught them a basic vocabulary of Sanskrit words to be used everyday. At the end of the session the students were found identifying the parts of the body and names of the weekdays in Sanskrit.
Some Special Days in November - December 2006
1 December 2006 - Gita Jayanti
Sri Krishna & Arjuna
The Gita Jayanti, or the birthday of the Bhagavad Gita, which is celebrated throughout India, falls this year on 1 December. Traditionally it is held that on this day Sanjaya started narrating to King Dhritarashtra the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, and thus made the glorious teaching of the Lord available to the people of the world, for all time. The unique place of the Gita among the great scriptures of the world and the relevance of its teaching in our day-to-day life is brought out in the luminous words of Sri Aurobindo:
"The peculiarity of the Gita among the great religious books of the world is that it does not stand apart as a work by itself, the fruit of the spiritual life of a creative personality like Christ, Mahomed or Buddha or of an epoch of pure spiritual searching like the Veda and Upanishads, but is given as an episode in an epic history of nations and their wars and men and their deeds and arises out of a critical moment in the soul of one of its leading personages face to face with the crowning action of his life, a work terrible, violent and sanguinary, at the point when he must either recoil from it altogether or carry it through to its inexorable completion. "…The teaching of the Gita must therefore be regarded not merely in the light of a general spiritual philosophy or ethical doctrine, but as bearing upon a practical crisis in the application of ethics and spirituality to human life."
News from Branches and Centres
News from Abroad Nairobi (Kenya) - 3rd Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo's Relics
Hoisting of the Mother's flag
Members, collaborators and friends of the Sri Aurobindo Society, Nairobi Centre celebrated the 3rd Anniversary of the Enshrinement of Sri Aurobindo's Relics at the Sri Aurobindo Bhavan on 13th July 2006.
Musical recital "Samarpan"
The Mother's flag was hoisted at the Bhavan in the morning at 8 a.m., followed by prayers. In the evening an hour's musical recital "Samarpan" was offered to Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Dhruv Bhatt and associates started the recital with "Om Namo Bhagavate" and ended with "Om Anandamayi, Chaitanyamayi, Satyamayi Parame" and the entire congregation joined in reciting this Mantra. About one hundred and thirty people attended the programme. Prasad in the form of dinner was served after the recitation. The book "Aim of Life", along with a bouquet of white and red roses, was presented to all.
Other Programmes: On 19th August 2006 a member of the Nairobi Centre was invited by the United States International University, Nairobi, to participate in the Congregation assembled for the Graduation Ceremony. About six hundred students graduated on that occasion. More than five thousand people were assembled at the venue Kasarani Stadium. The United States International University extended their gratitude to the Society for their fine gesture.
On 26th August 2006 the Nairobi Centre presented the deluxe set of collected works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother to the Kenya National Library. Four senior representatives of Kenya National Library visited the Sri Aurobindo Bhavan and received the volumes.
On 7th October 2006 five members of the Nairobi Centre presented 11,000 booklets in 11 different titles to Kenyatta National Hospital - the largest national hospital of Kenya. One of the members of the Society gave a brief introduction on the contents of the booklets after reading out the Mother's Morning Prayer. These booklets will be distributed in the provincial Branches of the hospital throughout Kenya.
Shri Gopal Bhattacharjee's Visit
The International Secretary of Sri Aurobindo Society, Shri Gopal Bhattacharjee, visited the Society's Centres in Germany and the U.K. during August and September 2006. In Weinheim, Germany, there was a public function on 19th August 2006 where he gave a talk on "Sri Aurobindo and His Relevance in the Present Day Happenings of the World". From Weinheim, where our Centre is situated, he visited Heidelberg and Fortsheim mainly to meet devotees and friends.
In U.K., besides visiting the Society's Centre in Harrow, he also visited Kent and Oxford where he had group meetings. At the Harrow Centre he delivered two talks on 26th August and 9th September 2006. The subjects were "Relevance of Sri Aurobindo in the Modern World" and "Savitri" respectively. A popular weekly "The New World" published two articles on Sri Aurobindo and the Mother during his visit. This magazine also published an interview with Shri Gopal Bhattacharjee on the teachings of Sri Aurobindo.
News from India
Sri Aurobindo Society Hindi Zonal Conference
Two-day annual conference of Hindi speaking States
The annual conference of Sri Aurobindo Society (Hindi Zone) was held on 7th and 8th October 2006 at the Society's Branch at Noida, U.P.
Chief Guest Shri Shivraj V. Patil, Hon'ble Home Minister, lighting the lamp
The inaugural function on 7th October was presided over by His Excellency Shri T.N. Chaturvedi, Governor of Karnataka. Shri Shivraj V. Patil, Hon'ble Home Minister, was the chief guest. Shri Hari Shankar Singhania, President, JK Organisation, and Dr. Abid Hussain, former Indian Ambassador to USA were the guests of honour. About 300 persons attended the inaugural function, including various distinguished persons such as Dr. L.M. Singhvi, former Indian High Commissioner to U.K., Shri B.P. Singhal, ex-Member of Parliament, and Shri Mahesh Prasad, IAS (Retd.).
His Excellency Shri T.N. Chaturvedi, Governor of Karnataka, speaking at the inaugural session. Also seen on the dais (from left) Shri Om Prakash Dani, Chairman, Noida Branch, Dr.Abid Hussain, Former Indian Ambassador to USA, H'ble Home Minister Shri Shivraj V. Patil, Shri Hari Shankar Singhania, President J.K.Organisation, Shri Vijay K. Poddar, Chairman, HIndi Zone & Dr.Suresh Chand Tyagi, Secretary, Hindi Zone
Specific sessions were organised on different aspects of Sri Aurobindo's teachings. The first session was chaired by former Chief Justice of India Shri R.C. Lahoti. Padma Shri Dr. Shyam Singh Shashi was the key speaker. The subject was "Sri Aurobindo Ka Samaj".
On 8th October 2006, the second session on "Atimanas - Swarup aur Avirbhav" was chaired by Shri Vijay K. Poddar, Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society Zonal Committee (Hindi). The main speaker of the session was Dr. Devaki Nandan Srivastav. His Excellency Shri T.N. Chaturvedi, Governor of Karnataka, also participated in this session.
A view of the audience
The third session, on "Bharat ki Niyati aur Bhumika", was chaired by Dr. Suman Kochar and Shri Kaivalya Smart was the key speaker. The concluding session was chaired by the Chairman of the SAS Zonal Committee (Hindi) Shri Vijay K. Poddar.
More than 100 delegates from U.P., Uttaranchal, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand and Haryana participated in the conference. The conference was organised by the office bearers of the Noida Branch, lead by Shri Om Prakash Dani, Chairman of the Branch.
Aurangabad (Maharashtra)
Sri Aurobindo's Birth Anniversary: The Aurangabad Centre celebrated the 134th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo on 15th August 2006. The programme started with prayers and bhajans by Shilpa and Shweta. As it was also the occasion of Janmashtami, Prof. Ramesh Dhoble gave a talk on one of the chapters from the "Essays on the Gita". After the talk, there was collective chanting of "Hymn to Durga", followed by collective meditation. After the meditation, Darshan Day cards were distributed to all.
Essay competition for students underway
Essay-writing Competition & Antarnad: An essay competition was organised by the Centre on the occasion of Sri Aurobindo's birth anniversary in the month of Aug. 2006. 95 students from 12 different schools and around 35 students from various colleges participated. The following topics were given for the competition:
1. Sri Aurobindo - His life and mission 2. If there were no exams… 3. India: As I dream
On 24th Sep. 2006 the Abhipsa Youth Wing of the Centre conducted a half-day workshop "Antarnad" for the same students at the Vivekananda College. The first session of the workshop was "Goshti Manachya" - "Interesting Aspects Of Mind". Dr. Madhushri Sawaji, a medical practitioner, conducted it. She is also very actively involved in different projects for the education of children. She narrated several small incidents related to different aspects of human mind in a very interesting manner and made it easy for the students to understand.
Dr. Chhaya Mahajan, a noted writer and Head of English Dept., Mahila Mahavidyalaya, conducted the second session "Improving Writing Skills". She guided the students on imagination and expression. She highlighted the importance of good writing and how to improve it. Both the sessions were interactive. All the students actively participated and were very happy to get satisfactory answers to their queries.
This workshop was followed by a prize distribution function of the essay competition. Dr. Saralatai Nagraj from Amrawati, an eminent speaker on "Savitri" in Marathi, and Shri Gyanprakashji Modani, a noted industrialist, distributed prizes to the winners of this essay competition. All the participants were given a certificate of participation. Members of the Aurangabad Centre and guardians of the students were also present for both the functions. Now the Centre is planning to organise more such workshops on a regular basis.
Thiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu)
Exhibition on "Spiritual significance of flowers"
The Thiruchi Centre celebrated their 3rd anniversary on 7th and 8th October 2006. On 7th October an exhibition was organised on "Spiritual Significance of Flowers", in which about 250 varieties of flowers were displayed and a display of photographs and books in which rare photographs of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother were exhibited. The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Jayabal, Chairman, GVN Hospitals. About 1000 people visited the exhibition.
Workshop on "Future Education" under progress
On 8th October a workshop on "Future Education" was held in the forenoon. Dr. A. Rajendran, Head Master, KAPV Hr. Sec. School, Thiruchi, conducted the workshop. About 30 students from various schools and colleges in Thiruchi participated. In the evening a public meeting was arranged. Shri S.M. Krishnan, Scientist, CECRI, Karaikudi, presided over the meeting. Shri K. Ananthakrishnan, Secretary, Sri Aurobindo Society, Coimbatore Centre, delivered a special address. Shri K. Thamilvel, Secretary of the Thiruchi Centre, read out the Annual Report.
Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
Shri Pradeep Narang, Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry, visited the Society's Branch at Chennai and participated in the collective meditation on Sunday the 15th October 2006. He spoke on "Life and Death" as revealed by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. The talk was attended by about 200 devotees and members.
Vellore (Tamil Nadu)
The Vellore Centre arranged a lecture by Shri N.V. Balu of the Anna Nagar Centre, Chennai, on 4 October 2006 on the "Duties of the Devotees of the Mother". They also arranged Shri Balu's talk on 5 October 2006 on "Aim of Education" as envisaged by the Mother at the Govt. High School, Wallajah.
Mussoorie (Uttaranchal)
Seminar on "India in Sri Aurobindo's View" by the Mussoorie Centre
The Mussoorie Centre celebrated their anniversary on 17 September 2006. On this occasion they organised a seminar "India in Sri Aurobindo's View". Shri Bhan Singh Chauhan, Chairman of the Centre, talked about Sri Aurobindo's spiritual message and His fight for the independence of India as a revolutionary Yogi. The seminar was also addressed by Shri S.C. Tyagi, Chairman of the U.P. and Uttaranchal State Committee of the Society, and Dr. Suman Kochar, Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh State Committee. Shri L.K. Srivastava, Chairman of the Dehradun Branch of the Society was also on the dais.
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
The Visakhapatnam Centre organised a lecture on 3 Sept. 2006 by Shri K.R.L. Narasimha Rao, Chairman of the Society's Jaggayyapeta Centre, on "Relevance of Sri Aurobindo's and the Mother's Teachings Today". Shri T.V. Ramana Rao, Chairman of the Visakhapatnam Centre, presided. Prof. K.V. Ramana, former Vice-chancellor of Andhra University, Dr. Y. Parthasarathy, former Dy. Chairman of VPT, Prof. A.V.R. Shastry, Dr. A. Prabhavathi, Dr. Rajeshwari Sankaran and Shri G.K. Raju were among those present in the large gathering.
The Centre also organised a one-day seminar on 15 October 2006 on "Vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Future of India". Inaugural address was delivered by Prof. K.V. Ramana, former Vice-chancellor, Andhra Pradesh, and the keynote address by Sri K.V. Rao of Sri Aurobindo Society, Vijayawada. Shri KRL Narasimha Rao of Sri Aurobindo Society, Jaggayyapeta, spoke on "Life Divine in Action" and Shri K. Venkateswarlu, editor of the magazine 'Akhila', and Shri P.C. Swaroop, State Youth Coordinator, spoke on youth education. Shri D. Venkateswara Rao summed up the proceedings and the seminar ended with a question & answer session. About 75 persons participated in the programme.
Godavarikhani (Andhra Pradesh)
The Godavarikhani Centre organised a lecture-cum-interaction programme on "How to bring up a Child" on 14 October 2006 at Sri Venkateswara Vidyaniketan High School, Godavarikhani. Shri Ganta Narayana, Chairman of the Centre, delivered a talk on the subject and interacted with the parents and teachers. 26 parents, 30 teachers and 150 students participated in the programme. The Centre proposes to hold such programmes weekly in selected high schools and colleges.
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