There is a World Sand Ceremony in the Thamarai garden in Edyanchavadi! to bless traveling sand, mixed by children in over 35 countries. Please join TLC where children will offer performances and presentations. There will be various stalls to discover, and delicious treats made by the children. Kalki Subramaniam, gender activist and actor presents 'The Lives of Others', a presentation on the lifestyle and culture of the Hijras-transgenders of India. There is a workshop to explore Nonviolent Communication, the work of Robert Gonzales. Read more

Finishing with the free dinner donated by Tanto Pizzeria, the meeting begun 3 hours before, and brought more questions than answers. More than 450 Aurovilians attended to this meeting organized by the RAS. If you failed to listen to the almost 3 hours of recording you'll have the chance know about the long list of topics discussed. Are you new to Auroville's matter? Then listen to it till the end and enjoy how the Auroville's resident are trying to make happen the Auroville's Dream. Next step? Another meeting but with just one topic: The land. Read more

Auroville Bakery Erumalai, member of Auroville Council shares what’s on the Council table. Auroville welcomes the return of Mr N. Balabaskar, as Auroville Secretary once again, and at the same time bids farewell to Mr S. Loganathan, who has been Acting-Secretary. ALL IS ONE - breakdance and rap music for peace - Indo-German fusion; ‘EachOneTeachOne’ with Mohanam Youth Project offers workshops. FIRST AID Workshop: Learn Basic Life Support: how to react to everyday accidents, what NOT TO DO! Call Pitanga for further information. Read more

Tomorrow in Conference Room in Town Hall will be workshop and seminar on sustainable Regional Plan for Villuppuram Auroville Cuddalore Puduchery organised jointly by INTACH Pondicherry, PondyCAN and Auroville Town Development Council, with opening welcome of Bala Baskar. In today's news Bridget talks about this event. The Working Committee invites community on March 22 at 6.00 pm at La Terrace welcome back Mr N. Balabaskar, our new Secretary and at the same time, to bid farewell to Mr S. Loganathan, who has been the Acting-Secretary. Read more

In today's news we have and Interview with Amrit of the Auroville Council regarding construction and land issues. Announcement about biodynamic composting techniques happening at Windarra farm each friday at noon. Wonderland is a new service where you can sell, exchange, or trade anything opposite Mark’s coffee shop. Celebrations March 8th all around Auroville: Holi at Upasana at 3 pm, International Women’s Day at the Tibetan Pavillion at 5:00 pm and Full Moon Gathering at Savitri Bhavan in front of Sri Aurobindo's Statue 7.15 to 8.15pm. Read more

In this short interview, Luigi of CIRHU shares with Andrea the meaning and purpose of the first official visit of the representatives of the Sri Aurobindo Society to Auroville today. In the context of Supreme Court's judgment of 1982 ruling that Auroville is neither a religious society nor a property of Sri Aurobindo Society, in some ways today's meeting is an attempt towards a new beginning, a positive change in outlook on both sides and hope of more goodwill flowing in. Read more

For two days we will have a grace to been in the company of the theater that puts the audience on center stage - Shadow Liberation. Evan Hastings, artistic director and four actors, students of Srishti School of of Art, Design and Technology in Bangalore shared with us some thoughts on oppression toward gender. With the interactive play they would like to bring awareness on issues of violence, and find out how can social media be used to leverage dialog on the topic, which according to United Nations did overgrown to epidemic proportions. Read more

Beside many different types of events we also got a chance to see "cream de la creme" of current Indian cinematography starting with Friday 2nd until Sunday at Sri Aurobidno Auditorium, Bharat Nivas, Pavilion of Indian Culture in International Zone. This year, due to the intensive involvement of film makers in projects we will indulge ourselves only into watching films. Surya shared with us some interesting details on the preparation of the Panorama, and on films, directors and producers. Common to all films is quality, meaning, .. Read more

How vital are the town-planning issues was clear in our interview with Bridget from l'Avenir d'Auroville who updated us today on the current discussions. This update from l'Avenir d'Auroville comes after a long break due to the cyclone, and includes the hot topic of unauthorized constructions on lands owned by Aurovilians within the Auroville Master Plan which rose lots of dust in the community and also caused some actions. Also, with fast development of the much needed housing projects, we can see some clear sky on "housing"

On Thursday, 48 Aurovilians and visitors came together to Sve-Dame, wanting to experience the benefits of laughter yoga. Fif, a certified laughter yoga teacher from Canada has come to Auroville to spread the art of laughter yoga. Together with Hamish, her husband, and Dariya, an Aurovillian, she wants to make people explore this unusual type of yoga. She’s giving us an interview about the philosophy behind laughter yoga, its history and benefits. What is laughter yoga good for? How do the participants feel about the session? Read more

Andrea spoke with Daniel, a memeber of Working Committe member about last updates on different issues, and here's and excerpt of it, but the full interview will be uploaded on our webpage soon, and WC is informing us that they will keep an Open hour of the Working Committee every Monday from 11:30am-12:30pm to interact with Aurovilians. About serious matter of Laughing Yoga Stella interviewed Fif, one of the facilitators of today LAughter Session at 5pm at Sve-Dame, Butterfly Barn with invitation to a two day workshop next week. Read more

Working Committee member, Daniel, spoke to us today about the last meeting with the resident assembly where the issue of illegal buildings coming up in Auroville was discussed at length. The committee is also in talks with the secretary in charge of the Foundation to make an ID card for Aurovillians. Daniel also shared his view on dealing with the cyclone damage expenses that need to be covered and also on the recent fire-breakouts in the greenbelt. Read more

Deepti Tewari has been in Auroville since she was 16. She has read the Mother and Sri Aurobindo extensively and has achieved much clarity on their ideas of the 'earth consciousness'. Today she shared with us her understanding of the 'type of consciousness' that Auroville was built on, and the consciousness that Aurovillians perhaps need now. Auroville was built to be a psychological garden of harmony, sweetness and beauty, she says, but it can be that only if we renounce our egos and let the 'collective realization' take over.

Devdip Ganguli reflects on dilemma around 'right action' - how to evaluate an action as right or wrong? In the context of solutions provided over the ages, such as codes, testaments and religious principles, Devdip uses some very interesting anecdotes and letters written by the Mother to present her view on this issue and her strong belief in a person's inner sense to take decisions. Devdip concludes that 'right action' is what is inspired from the highest light available to us at that time. Read more

At the annual Auroville International (AVI) meeting 2012, held at the Multipurpose Hall (Unity Pavilion, International Zone) members of L'Avenir d'Auroville presented current situations, plans and problems. Presentation were extensive and following questions were many since town planning is one of the most vital and often a problematic issue. Another point of discussion for AVI members was that there should be more communication and interaction between working groups and the units. Read more

Amongst many presentations on the agenda of Auroville International Meeting in Auroville 2012 was also International Zone. Core of coordinating group of International Zone are B, Linda Grace, Jyoti, Rakhal and Vani. Pavilion groups shortly presented activities and the course of action they're taking. With the inauguration of Multipurpose Hall at Unity Pavilion on 29th of February some new liasons of AVI will be created but most of the groups are still in the area of cultural and educational exchanges, events, performances... Read more

Auroville Council member Sonja, longtime Aurovilian, skilled counselor and facilitator of the Transformation Game speaks in depth about some of the current issues in the Council. The Study Group for Self Governance, including a selection process for members of Auroville’s working groups, find responsible participation in the General Meetings with respect for the Working Groups must happen for positive change. Residents should resume their key role of participation; absolute transparency should be maintained by all Governing groups. Read more

On Saturday 28th January, 4.30 pm at the Tibetan Pavillion, Auroville was graced with a visit by Prof Samdhong Rinpoche. Rinpoche was greeted by children and guests who had arrived for the inauguration of a rare photo gallery documenting the 1959 departure of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from Tibet and arrival into India. There was a sense of nostalgia and appreciation to be present at such an auspicious event that dated decades back, during which His Holiness's asylum had been facilitated by the Government of India and, at their invitation. Read more

Daniel, member of the Working Committee shares with us updates on land encroachments at New Farm, and on dr. Karan Singh, Chairman of Auroville Foundation yesterday visit. On Friday at 8pm Ana, Hartmunt, Suryan, Joy and Jivatman, Taranti, Caroline and Elisa and Anisha and Tiago will offer thir music to life and community under the sky of the Big Amphitheater in Kalabhumi – Made in Auroville concert, postponed from few months back due to the rain at the time. Lively Up Your Earth is taking place on Saturday from 10.30 onward at Solitude Farm. Read more

Walk trough Quiet Healing Centre was in a way relief after disastrous areas in communities in Auroville because beside few fallen trees Quiet looks almost as it was. Luckily they got mostly palm trees, which are known for their flexibility and endurance in strong tropical winds. In interview with Guy we found out that the major problem after tropical cyclone Thane is if they would be allowed to fix and erect their fence or not. Quiet hopes that they will find optimal solution for both parties trough ongoing negotiations with local fishermen. Read more

Recently built zen house of Sabine and Philippe, residents of Repos community is now roofless, water tank broken, what used to be beautiful blooming fence by buganvilla, is now piece of uprooted shrubs...For Sabine and Philippe Repos is home for more than decade, and both actively participate in community life in Repos, as well in community in whole. Since they were well aware, and realistic of present treat of cyclone Thane on Thursday night, they evacuated themselves overnight, and also informed others and guests about situation. What now? Read more

No doubt that last week cyclone Thane raging trough our town and neighboring villages caused lots of damages, and no doubt the worst it was for the beach communities - Repos, Waves, Samarpanam, Gokulam, Symplicity, Quiet, Sri Ma, Eternity. The hardest it was for them not only because they are situated on the beach, where huge waves were crushing the whole coastline in those 12 hours of cyclone, but because beach erosion already affected them seriously last few years. We spoke with Bagha and Vasu about cyclone, and about issues around erosion. Read more

Some positivity by willingness to listen to each other was Renu good news on L'AVenir d'Auroville in our interaction. Team agreed to meet once a week to share and discuss on particular topic, prioritise them and stay flexible in the needs if they arise. Exciting news we heard was also the one on master plans - by December they hope to have a bio regional master plan, which will fuse with the green belt master plan, and will be based on conservation of water for the general bio region.; and my March 2010 five years plan should be completed.

Youth Centre team announced, after few months of keeping it low, Ratbags Day of Fun&Action for this Saturday 8th of October. Children and youth of all ages are invited to come, share and celebrate that day with them in many different activities, games, pony rides...surprises. We feature short interview with Manolo about it. AV Security Service, Working Committee and AV Council informs us that the Tamil Nadu Panchayat Elections will be held on 17th and 19th of October. To avoid unwanted incidents we should not have loud music, night parties Read more

Olivier and Hilde moderated this debate. The participants were B, Basile, Hans and Doudou Diène. The first half of the debate was spent on defining Human Unity whereby every one got to put forth their idea of what they felt Human Unity encompassed. Human Unity they all agreed was a theme that was difficult to pin down. After the round of introductions each participant spoke about what Human Unity was to them. Read more

Attendance was sparse at yesterday's General Meeting, yet Residents' Assembly Service members Elvira and Jesse facilitated an open meeting on the topic of selection processes for new Auroville Council and Working Committee members. Points discussed: whether to select by consensus or voting...whether an in-place study group meeting regularly might work, whether to return to the 2007 process which produced good results....another ongoing process, more challenges to face. Read more

In today's news we feature interview with Soham about his food strike, translated by Renu. On Thursday 29th long expected and warmly welcomed Auroville Film Festival 11 starts with the Opening Ceremony at 5pm at Town Hall Plaza, followed by the first set of films screened at Cinema Paradiso between 7.30 to 10.30 pm. Resident Assembly Service invites us on a General Meeting on Thursday, 29th at 5pm at SAWCHU with the main topic on how to Complete Review of the AVC and WC selection process. On Saturday 24th at Kalabhumi at 7.30 Smaranam. Read more

In addition to their regular service, the L'avenir team will be available once a month to community members. The first was yesterday on Wednesday, September 14th, at the L'avenir office, Town Hall. And here's and excerpt of interview with Dorle and Sauro on that . Auroville Bamboo Research Centre will be planting seedlings of bamboo tomorrow at 7am on the grounds of Centre, and In the afternoon at 5pm in Conference Room at Town Hall few speakers will talk about bamboo - its usage, significance in Auroville and bioregion. Read more

In today's news we feature short excerpt of interview with Cecilia from the Entry Service about the announcement in last News and Notes about potential newcomers. On this Saturday and Sunday, 3rd and 4th of September between 12 to 13.30 and between 6.30 to 8pm the book "The Salt of Life" by Emanuele, with cartoons on Auroville, a sixteen years antology, will be released and signed at Tanto Pizzeria. Working Committee informs all residents that the next Governing Board and International Advisory Council meetings will take place in October. Read more

An appeal (against pollution) from the residents of Auroville to Members of the Governing Board, to help them in their efforts to protect human health by ensuring proper waste management at the Karuvadikuppam dump site - the Pondicherry Municipal Dump. Auroville and the villages are directly affected by the pollutants in the air and the water caused by the Pondicherry Municipal Dump at Karuvadikuppam. On Saturday at 8 pm at Pitanga Pavillon de France and the Club de la poesie are presenting Surrealism Poetry Reading by Croquette . Read more