News from Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry)
Study Camp by Dr. Alok Pandey on 'Savitri' - 16 to 22 August 2009
Dr. Alok Pandey will conduct Study Sessions in Sri Aurobindo's epic "Savitri" at the Society's Beach Office from 16 to 22 August 2009. As usual, there will be two sessions daily from 5:00 to 5:45 pm and 6:00 to 6:45 pm. All are welcome to attend this programme.
Recent Events
Annual Workshop on Integral Education: 20-27 May 2009This year the annual Workshop on Integral Education was organised at the Beach Office of the Society from 20 to 27 May. Fifty participants including teachers, educationists and principals from various parts of the country attended the Camp. The details of the Camp will be given in the next month's Newsletter.
Visit by a Group of Farmers from Paigmberpur - 6 - 11 April 2009
A group of 7 farmers visited the Ashram and Sri Aurobindo Society for an exposure to the way of life at Ashram and for ways that could help them improve their way of life at Paigmberpur. Kirti-di from Paigmberpur Centre co-ordinated the visit. A variety of programme was arranged for them. Meeraji welcomed them and Shivakumar gave them an introduction to the Ashram and its way of life.
Shri Chote Narayan-ji, a senior sadhak, interacted with them on the important values that enrich life at all levels. Shri Somdevji spoke to them about the four aspects of the Mother and later on had an interactive session with them, answering to their queries about work in general. Visits to Matrikunj and Gloria farm were arranged, where they got a chance to see the gardening and the organic way of farming done in these places.
Dr. Alok Pandey spoke to them about meditation and its place in work and life. Shri Vijaybhai shared with them the vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother in transforming the collective life through transformation of all the people who formed that collectivity.
There was also a visit to Auroville and Matrimandir. In all, it was a very fulfilling visit for all the farmers and they carried back with them the resolution of improving their life in all possible ways.
News from Branches and Centres
Sri Aurobindo Complex, Sri Aurobindo Marg, J.P. Nagar 1st Phase, Bangalore
M/s 'idiscoveri' Education Pvt. Ltd. (Xseed) imparted training on "Certificate in Instructional Leadership" to the teachers of Mirambika School for New Age from 7 to 10 April 2009, on the following topics:
a) Using Teaching Aids available in the school
b) Adopting Innovative Teaching Methods
c) Foundation for Integral Education24 April 2009, "Day of Mother's Final at Pondicherry", was observed at Sri Aurobindo Complex, J.P. Nagar, Bangalore. The programme started with group meditation at the Meditation Hall between 7:00 and 7:30 am, followed by distribution of Message Cards & Prasadam. An exhibition on "Life sketch of the Mother" (with about 80 displays) was inaugurated.
Bangalore (Karnataka) - Youth Camp on 9, 10 and 11 October 2009
Sri Aurobindo Society, Bangalore Branch, will organise a youth camp at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, 110 Gangadhar Chetty Road, Bangalore - 560 042. The camp will be held on 9, 10 and 11 October 2009.
The objective of the camp will be to help the youth to awaken their aspiration for self-awareness and to open to them the vision of life, in the light of the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. The guide will also inspire the youth to discover the aim of life. The sessions will be conducted by Shri Kaivalya Smart from Surat.
Free accommodation and all meals will be provided. Boys and girls between the age group 18 to 30 years are eligible and are welcome. The proceedings will be primarily interactive and with sufficient scope for discussions, in English.
All eligible youths are requested not to miss the opportunity and join with their friends. Interested youths may send their application with brief bio data, address, telephone no., email ID and one passport size photograph to the above address. The contact phone no is 080-25559885/25298684.
Further clarifications can also be had, either through e-mail: sriaurobindobhavan.bangalore@gmail.com of the Bhavan or from SS Lahiri, Coordinator of the youth camp: sslahiriiaf@yahoo.co.in; Mobile 09980 519855
Three talks of Shri Mangilalji Vyas was held at Bhopal in May 2009. He spoke on "All Life is Yoga". He also spoke on the traditional Yogas and the path of Integral Yoga. Shri Vyas is the Secretary of Dhar Branch of Sri Aurobindo Society. Dr D. N. Joshi, Secretary of Bhopal Branch, also spoke on these occasions.
The Gurgaon Branch organised a talk by Swami Sumedhanand Saraswati on Maharishi Dayanand, Sri Aurobindo and the Vedas on 17 May 2009, at Unitech Country Club, Gurgaon. Swamiji emphasised the relevance of the Vedas today and how the Vedas withstood the dark periods of the Indian history.
Shri Krishan Sethi, Chairman of the Gurgaon Branch, highlighted the subject in his opening address. Shri Ravi Kant thanked Swamiji in his closing address.
