Green Acres

February 21st, the Mother’s birthday – the 28th of February, Auroville’s birthday, and February 29th, the 16th anniversary of the descent of what Sri Aurobindo termed “the supramental consciousness” upon earth … three reasons why we call this “The Special Month”. Here we are happy to share six articles of information & inspiration, including a special announcement about substantial land consolidation in the last months of 2023. We sincerely thank all the donors who have made this progress possible ! We encourage everyone to explore our articles that share the purpose and spirit of building Auroville. Version française en pdf … பிடிஎஃப்பில் தமிழ்ப் பதிப்பு

In just the months of November and December 2023, 21 new plots totalling 19.5 acres were acquired for consolidating Auroville’s Master Plan area via purchase and exchange. In addition to the plots we announced earlier in the year, this brings the total of previously-missing land added to Auroville in 2023 to a total of 29 new plots and 26.02 new acres – a record increase for land consolidation! The new November-December land is located in 10 central parts of the City (including near the Matrimandir) as well as in 6 key Greenbelt farms and nature preserves.

We’re pleased to share the life journey of Auroville pioneer Thillai Ganapathi, presenting yet another facet of Auroville’s great diversity. Thillai was born in a bioregion community five kilometers north of Auroville, and at age nine, walked with his friends to attend Auroville’s Inauguration ceremony on 28 February 1968. After receiving his Master’s degree, he and his wife Kalai joined Auroville as teachers at New Creation school. Thillai has served on a large number of AV committees, and notably as a translator for Tamil books and texts (10 million words so far!). His family now counts 3 generations in Auroville.
In English and in Tamil பிடிஎஃப்பில் தமிழ்ப் பதிப்பு

Over a hundred artists have donated their creations to Art for Land whose sale proceeds are dedicated for land purchase via the Acres for Auroville campaign. It is thanks to this generosity, and the solidarity of friends who purchase their works, that AFL has made significant contributions to land consolidation over the past nine years. Also, AFL is a showcase for Auroville as a dynamic creative hub. The new current exhibition at UPAV – devoted to the theme of “Dhyanam” (Contemplation) – is a most beautiful one, with works of a great variety of techniques and styles. All the works are for viewing, and for sale!

As usual, we close our bulletin with soul inspiration and nourishment for our individual and collective paths. Both texts are by Sri Aurobindo – the first is an extract from “The Divine and Undivine” – a chapter in “The Life Divine”, and the second is the continuation of “Man, A Transitional Being”, which we began in our November 2023 issue. The common theme is an exploration of who we are and who we may become. We end with The Mother’s words: “The more we concentrate on the goal, the more it blossoms forth and becomes precise”.

“Auroville is the attempt towards collective realisation” said the Mother, and this attempt towards a collective realisation is not limited to those who live in Auroville. All Auroville International centers, all committed friends and associates and donors are equally “volunteers” aspiring for this “collective realisation”. It can be said that the core of Auroville stands for the soul of humanity, meaning all that is lofty and noble and good and beautiful in the life of humanity. In this issue of our newsletter, we share inspiring stories of commitment and giving in the service of this ideal by Auroville’s pioneers, newcomers, AVI centers, and supporters. Version française en pdf … பிடிஎஃப்பில் தமிழ்ப் பதிப்பு

Louis came to Auroville from France in 1971 to briefly deliver spare parts for the vehicles of the mythic « Caravan”. Instead he stayed on, participating in the development of Auropolyester and the digging and building of Matrimandir from the start to the end. A close associate and friend of Roger Anger, over the decades, Louis has played a major role in constructing Auroville’s most important residential and service buildings. He says “I would like to tell those who read this testimony about my JOY for being at Auroville and for constructing The Mother’s City. This joy has never left me.” We are happy to present Louis’s story in English and in French.

Doris, from the multi-ethnic island of Mauritius, first came to India in 1993, and then in 2004 to Auroville as an investigative reporter for an Indian media company. Deeply touched, she regularly returned, working as a volunteer in the Matrimandir Gardens. Now an official Newcomer, Doris caretakes the Unity Pavilion building and grounds along with her son, Sangharakshit, a volunteer – both participating in its many events and the Art for Land action. Here, Doris shares special moments of discovery in their Auroville lives: “Sangha and I are both deeply happy to serve the ideal of human unity.”

The first officially incorporated international support organization for Auroville was the “Auroville Association”, set up in California in 1973 by six American future-forward devotees. Then international support grew in 1983 when “Auroville International” was incorporated in the Netherlands and the USA association joined it as AVI-USA. For the past 40 years, AVI-USA has been a dynamic support and catalyst – raising funds for AV projects worldwide, sharing ideals, news, and events for an international audience through positive, inspiring and innovative actions.

Serena and the Aurora’s Eye team are happy to introduce their ongoing web series “Matrimandir & I” – showcasing Auroville and its soul and symbol of unity, the golden Matrimandir. This video series is a human experiment, looking into how Aurovilians relate to the Matrimandir, their personal experiences with it, and their goals for personal and spiritual development, as well as for Auroville’s evolution. Serena says, “Our dream is to interview all the citizens of Auroville. We aspire that this action will be part of the common ground for human unity.”