Thursday, September 28, 2006 Savitri Erans as stakeholders
Sri Aurobindo Ashram and its extension, Auroville, are sacred for the Savitri Erans. People spend months in longing and planning to visit Pondicherry. Being places of pilgrimage their thought itself brings spiritual feelings and solace to the devotees. Obviously, phenomenal energy and organization goes into maintaining the activities of the Ashram to serve the visitors.But if we consider the concept of “stakeholder,” perhaps the Ashram has no mandate for it. Neither Auroville nor the Sri Aurobindo Society has the wherewithal to cater to the expectations of the global spread of Savitri Erans. Most of our promotional activities remain confined within our centres. There is a need to fan out to the world outside on a large scale. Somehow, the publications and archival activities of the Ashram seem to be secretive. Very little information passes out and very late. We hear nothing about pre-publication programme. The Archives is sitting over a huge stock of historical data and Savitri Erans are eager that they see the light of the day as soon as possible. Overall, it’s no cribbing, but a yearning for dialogue. Savitri Erans the world over would be happy to listen what is being planned for them, what are the constraints or where they can contribute and in what manner. Just nurturing a sense of participatory belongingness. Posted by Tusar N Mohapatra at 3:08 PM 0 comments Links
Friday, October 06, 2006 Liberation of Auroville, the original island of freedom
The administration of Auroville is in the hands of Government of India. Although many problems relating to Auroville are still of the nature of, what has come to be known in our electoral politics parlance, BSP or Bijli, Sadak, and Pani, the higher purpose for which it was envisaged can not be articulated from the Public Sector approach. When the rest of the country is witnessing liberalization on an unprecedented scale, it is really ironical to see Auroville, the original island of freedom to be fettered. Two and a half decades after the infamous takeover the circumstances have changed entirely. Savitri Erans must come forward to demand Liberation of Auroville from the Government hands, in one voice. Posted by Tusar N Mohapatra at 2:55 PM 0 comments Links
Thursday, October 19, 2006 Auroville, locus for a larger discourse
The Economic Times, today, carries a nice leader article, From sin-cities to cities of joy by Pothik Ghosh, which examines several issues relating to urbanization in India. At a time when SEZs are a hot topic and democracy is at war with economics, Ghosh’s vision of reviving our traditional University towns as model habitats comes as a breath of fresh air. Even, reading the names of The Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Bhatkhande Institute of Music & Musicology and Bharatendu Natak Academy in The Economic Times itself is an eye opener. In the context of city-building, education and environment, the name of Auroville immediately comes to the mind. The socio-political concerns that the Aurovillians are engaged with should form a part of the larger discourse that the new India is encountering. The cultural hiatus that the affluent portion of India is struggling with, is also akin to the Aurovillians’ aspiration for material perfection along with spiritual realization. It is for the Savitri Erans to judge all these issues critically so as to develop a harmonized theory for socio-cultural living. Posted by Tusar N Mohapatra at 10:57 AM 0 comments Links
Friday, February 02, 2007 Spectre of Marx sighted over Auroville
[The recommendation was made in the Chennai Declaration that was adopted yesterday on the concluding day of the three-day international workshop on "Food Security: A Great Threat to Human Security" held at the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSRRF) in Chennai in India...The programme will be completed today through visiting Biovillage and Auroville, a MSSRF project in Pondicherry. By Rafiqul Islam Azad from Chennai Wed, 31 Jan 2007, 09:31:00 The New Nation]
It seems that Auroville is being increasingly identified with Environmental and Sustainable Development issues and becoming an icon of sorts. Dreamt as a city, it is perhaps turning into a nice jungle. Unfortunately these and allied affairs have been appropriated by the Leftist propagandists and activists of the World Social Forum variety. And therefore it signals danger.Auroville needs to be liberated from the grip of Government of India’s public-sector approach on the one hand and the Leftist anti-development attitude on the other. [TNM] Posted by Tusar N Mohapatra at 3:10 PM 0 comments Links
Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Savitri Erans feel united in their aspirations
[On 28th February 1968 some 5,000 people assembled near the banyan tree at the centre of the future township for an inauguration ceremony attended by representatives of 124 nations, including all the States of India. The representatives brought with them some soil from their homeland, to be mixed in a white marble- clad, lotus-shaped urn, now sited at the focal point of the Amphitheatre. At the same time the Mother gave Auroville its 4-point Charter.]
40th birthday of Auroville today. It is impossible even to believe at the moment what actually happened on that particular day. The events of May '68 are thought to have been linked but the repercussions are certainly far more larger and wider. A solemn occasion for the Savitri Erans all over the world to feel united in their aspirations. [TNM] Posted by Tusar N Mohapatra at 12:24 PM 0 comments Links
Friday, June 15, 2007 Puducherry, a heaven of peace
Shyam Sunder Jhunjhunwala has lamented (SRI AUROBINDO'S ACTION June 2007) that “The beautiful beach has gone” and Puducherry “is no more a heaven of peace, rather it is an unplanned city full of noise, pollution and garbage.”
50 years down the line, will one say the same thing for Auroville also? By then it might be famous for hospitality with its attendant vagaries but will it still be a symbol for spiritual inspiration?
This brings to mind the question of the suitability of geographical contiguity when we try to conceive an ideal city. The Cyberspace rather is an apt alternative for kindred minds to come together devoid of the cross of the gross. [TNM] Posted by Tusar N Mohapatra at 11:42 AM 0 comments Links
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 How to liberate Auroville from the Government’s clutch is a big question now
Auroville Foundation is a Government of India entity with 7 nominated members constituting the Governing Board. Obviously, the official website and its journal are not free media. People working under different projects there are like quasi-government employees and enjoy patronages from time to time. Thus, it is hard to expect them to speak out what is right. How to liberate Auroville from the Government’s clutch is a big question now. That the present situation has continued for the last 25 years is utterly shameful and betrays apathy as well as complicity. Can we break this conspiracy of silence? Savitri Erans are requested to take a break from their intense sadhana and do some introspection on curing this ulcer. [TNM] Posted by Tusar N Mohapatra at 7:55 PM 0 comments Links
Wednesday, July 18, 2007 They have no business to continue in such positions
[For first time, govt to choose IIM directors The Times of India 18 Jul 2007 MUMBAI: This could be the final blow to the long-held autonomy of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).]
Are the 5 nominated members of The International Advisory Council of the The Auroville Foundation well versed with the teachings of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo? If not, they have no business to continue in such positions. There are lot many others among the devotees with records of life long dedication to the cause of the Life Divine. The Government must not impose its bureaucratic whims over the organic growth of Auroville. [TNM] Posted by Tusar N Mohapatra at 6:39 PM 1 comments Links
Sunday, July 22, 2007 A resident of Auroville should become the President of Auroville
The President of India, the Prime Minister, and the members of his Cabinet reside in India. The Chief Minister of Puducherry is a resident of the State. But most of the persons nominated to the Governing Board of The Auroville Foundation are not residents of Auroville. This is untenable; they must resign forthwith. A resident of Auroville should become the President of Auroville. [TNM] Posted by Tusar N Mohapatra at 9:44 AM 1 comments Links
Tuesday, August 14, 2007 Savitri Era Party demands complete independence of Auroville
On the eve of the 60th anniversary of Independence, we once again demand for complete independence of Auroville from the Government of India control. All the present functionaries are, hereby, requested to resign from their posts in protest, thus facilitating due democratic process to unfurl. No need to extol the virtues of freedom at this juncture.Tusar N. Mohapatra, President, Savitri Era Party. Posted by Tusar N Mohapatra at 6:27 PM 1 comments Links
Saturday, November 10, 2007 Savitri Era Religion is different from the Neo-Hindu faiths
By building the Matrimandir in Auroville, The Mother has given concrete shape to a model temple for the Savitri Erans. No icon or idol representing the deities of Jurassic religions find place in Matrimandir. Nor any particular ritual or worship. A prayerful, meditative feeling is all that is demanded from the visitors. In Sri Aurobindo ashram in Puducherry also nowhere the visitors are encouraged to worship the deities of other religions. In this respect, the Savitri Era Religion is different from the numerous Neo-Hindu faiths. Therefore, it is difficult to understand why various religious festivals are given so much of prominence in the Newsletter of Sri Aurobindo Society, every month. This creates confusion in the minds of the Savitri Erans. It might be difficult for certain persons to sever links with the religion in which they were born. But personal predicament should not corrupt the ideals of any institution. There has to be some openness and sense of accountability in all these matters. Just seniority should not be the overriding factor. Contentious issues should be discussed in a larger platform so as to meet the challenges of the future. [TNM] Posted by Tusar N Mohapatra at 11:34 AM 0 comments Links
Sunday, April 06, 2008 Savitri Era Party summararily rejects Soli Sorabjee's legal opinion on Auroville
March 2008 issue of Auroville Today approvingly cites the legal opinion of Soli Sorabjee on Is the Auroville Foundation an autonomous body? and reports that "Aurovilians were pleased with" it. Savitri Era Party, on the contrary, summararily rejects the whole attempt to whitewash the issue and demands immediate ouster of the Government of India from Auroville. [TNM] Posted by Tusar N Mohapatra at 8:36 AM 0 comments Links
Thursday, June 05, 2008 There should be a census of The Mother's actual followers
[ii) The central theme of Auroville is spirituality. The Matrimandir - a building visited by tens of thousands of people each month - testifies to that theme. To call it ‘a giant gold sphere’ is an attempt to create the impression that Auroville is a sect. This attempt is strengthened by the words ‘they follow the vision of someone called the mother and induction takes one year.’iii) The residents do not ‘follow someone called The Mother’. There is complete freedom in each person’s spiritual search, though many are studying the works of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo. The teachings of these visionaries are not considered a religion, as was upheld by the Supreme Court of India. The lack of any reference to what they stand for is a major omission in the film. Statement on the inaccuracies contained in the BBC video on Auroville]
"The residents (of Auroville) do not ‘follow someone called The Mother’." Fine. What about the residents of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry? Do they exercise such freedom? If yes, there should be a census of The Mother's actual followers. Savitri Erans will have to organize themselves separately independent of The Ashram and the Auroville. [TNM] Posted by Tusar N Mohapatra at 4:04 PM 0 comments Links
Thursday, June 12, 2008 Savitri Era Party welcomes N. Nandhivarman's 100 Questions
N. Nandhivarman, General Secretary, Dravida Peravai, in his article, "AUROVILLE’s MATRIMANDIR: AN EYE OPENER," has promised that he will raise "100 Questions for generating awareness about the happenings in Auroville and to ensure Government of India intervenes to effect amendment to Act and initiate corrective measures." [7:06 AM & 12:22 PM] Savitri Era Party welcomes this. [TNM] Posted by Tusar N Mohapatra at 6:26 PM 0 comments Links
Saturday, June 14, 2008 Savitri Era Party demands free elections, accountability, and transparency in Auroville
[THANKS FOR BBC INITIATED DEBATE ON AUROVILLE - indiainteracts.com By Google Inc. THANKS FOR BBC INITIATED DEBATE ON AUROVILLE indiainteracts.com, India - The New Age commune revealed on TV is guiltier of child neglect than abuse, says Loic Rich. “I was not surprised by the allegations of child abuse at . ...The New Age Living Blog - http://newagelivinblog.com THANKS FOR BBC INITIATED DEBATE ON AUROVILLE indiainteracts.com - Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India “I was not surprised by the allegations of child abuse at Auroville – a progressive European community in India- that BBC news team made this week. ...See all stories on this topic]
The recent BBC (un)coverage on Auroville is admittedly low on propriety but compensatingly high on priority. Probably, years of good work get a bad name all of a sudden, but simultaneously, some sordid goings on also come under scrutiny, which otherwise would not have happened so easily.
The Congress has the satisfaction that it rules at least a tiny patch of Tamil Nadu through Dr. Karan Singh. But the 1988 Act, without territorial demarcation, deems to be infructuous as of today. As such, continuation of the present Governing Body is not only illegal but also illegitimate.
Matrimandir is the sacred shrine for the innumerable adherents of Savitri Era Religion. It is painful for the Savitri Erans to learn that certain high-ranking persons are colluding with nefarious activities and indulging in falsehood. Savitri Era Party wants change and demands free elections, accountability, and transparency. [TNM] Posted by Tusar N Mohapatra at 6:41 PM 0 comments Links
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 N. Nandhivarman is doing a yeoman’s service for propagation of the Savitri Era Religion
[DRAVIDA PERAVAI 23 Jun 08 SAVE AUROVILLE FROM FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES] By nandhivarman N. Nandhivarman is doing a yeoman’s service to the evolutionary revolution that was launched by The Mother and Sri Aurobindo. By turning the searchlights upon Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the Auroville, he is generating a lot of awareness as well as curiosity among the public. It is good for the hospitality industry in Puducherry and also for the propagation of Savitri Era Religion. If this nexus can work more openly and systematically, then we shall really be able to take the idea of Human Unity very far. All kinds of issues besetting a globalized world will look forward to a Puducherry rendezvous for their solution. [TNM] Posted by Tusar N Mohapatra at 10:40 AM 0 comments Links Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Posts
1 comments:
http://nandivarman.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/07/07/AUROBINDO-DEVOTEES-DEMAND-AUROVILLE-LIBERATION.html
It is sad, Mr. Tushar, that though you claim to be some sort of Sri Aurobindo devotee - notwithstanding your coming up with such pathetically shallow and immature notions such as 'Savitri Era Party' - you are now associated and being felicitated by Mr. Nandhivarman, who is part of the pseudo-rationalist tribe, and a known mud-slinger at the Ashram, and at the Mother and Sri Aurobindo themselves, and who does it purely for base political gains.
The Internet is a powerful tool, but in the hands of the ignorant, such as yourselves, and the perverse, such as Mr. Nandivarman, it is easily misused. The 2 of you provide excellent examples of this. Hopefully, your readers will have the discernment to separate the chaff from the wheat - though the wheat is so rare to come by!
A piece of advice to you, to other Aurobindonians, and to myself: Discover the Divine within; the changes outside will follow. The less we encourage this mental and vital fret, the better for our collective growth and progress. For till we don't find Her within, our shrill cries from either bank of the river of phenomenal reality are equally foolish.
As to your occasional unsolicited comments and advice such as how Auroville should be autonomous, and how the Ashram should be better managed, refer once again to the above para. If you still feel the overwhelming urge to 'act' however, get down from your fibre-optic tower and see the deeper ground Reality of things.
It is my conviction - and I am hardly alone - that the Ashram and Auroville are shaping up beautifully, in the hands of individuals who are committed and dedicated even if imperfect, and who work more than they talk, and talk even less than they type. Of course there are wayward individuals everywhere, and all organisations have their share of them too, but the Hand that has guided so far, continues to guide, and slowly, ever so slowly but surely, those who have the eyes to see recognize that these centres of the Divine's concrete Presence and Work, grow onward towards the Light.
It is pointless to reply to your friend Mr. Nandhivarman; his motives are in question. The greater tragedy is when professed devotees like yourself are pulled into their devious game, and do not have the wisdom to realise that our only work is within ourselves, and our only genuine concern the kingdom within ourselves.
May we grow wide, as the Vedas say.
V
P.S.: If you tell us that you are indeed conscious of that deeper reality within yourself, and that you are truly inwardly realised and convinced that it is necessary to set up 'systems', create a 'Savitri Era Party', 'save' the Aurobindonian community from impending doom and destruction wrecked by the wretched administrators you seem to conjure - well, sound the bugle, and perhaps we shall be inspired to join you. But at present you hardly come across as one who has the Knowledge or the Call. I can imagine there is much which can be changed for the better, in Auroville, in the Ashram, in India, in the world; but where does that change begin? Nay, Their workings are far more complex, intricate, and mysterious, and “One man’s perfection still can save the world…”
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