Happy Parking, as Liugi named it , wish to be the first step toward pollution free area in the peace area in the center of the city. Architect's plan carries a dream of peaceful area connected to Matrimadir with its lake, where service parking area(the one which is now most in use) will serve as a repository for vehicles, and lead as trough the beauty walk with the view on the lake toward front entrance of municipality. New extension will be also in use of residents of the communities around Town Hall; structure follows the existing one. Read more

Martin Mosko is a briefly visiting landscape architect, monk and author, currently participating in the Matri Mandir Garden Design Team. At his presentation on 22 Feb 2012 at Town Hall, Martin explored the underlying principles reflected in Japanese Garden Styles that express the essence of harmony and contemplative mind. He presented images of some spell-binding gardens that he has worked on and showed how gardens can be a manifestation of and also an inspiration for balance and harmony of the mind. Read more

This recording was created on February 21st, shortly after the morning concentration at the Amphiteater. My walk started at the Matrimandir's gate toward the Banyan and back through the peace area, where I recorded conversations, guests entering the Matrimandir, workers busy in their tasks, and the songs of many birds. All the while, the rhythm of my feet on the earth accompanies the diverse sounds of the recording. Soundscapes, to me, share the beauty of a space in a way that doesn't have to be communicated in words; nothing but pure sound.

Today's news features a bit of the road story by Andrea and Alain Grandcola. Tomorrow: anniversary of the Mother’s birthday commemorated by meditation 5:45am, Matrimandir Amphitheatre. No More Pesticides campaign: spraying of Endosulfan temporally banned in India by Supreme Court; now awaiting the final decision. Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be... Abraham Lincoln. 'Landscape as Spirit - Creating Sacred Space by Martin Mosko visiting landscape architect, monk and author at Town Hall Conference Room Wednesday 4-6 pm. Read more

On February 4th and 5th at Certitude and Udavi sports ground we can witness Auroville Hat Tournament 2012 India Ultimate's. Two hundred players from all over will come and test their fitness and improve their skills with an 'Auroville' spirit . The Auroville Hat is the only 'hat' tournament in India, and reflects its spirit of Unity in Diversity. We feature interview with Kumaran about it. In today's news is also interview with Daniel updating us from Working Committee about work in progress on wood, fire hazards, effects of cyclone... Read more

"May Goddess Saraswati, fair as the moon, with pure white garland, in radiant white, on whose arm rests the veena, throned on a white lotus, may She protect me, remove my lethargy, sluggishness, and ignorance." Mia Berden, 97, of AVI Netherlands and Stichting de Zaaier, will soon transit into the Light; with full trust in the Mother she sends greetings to all. Doctor Tatiana, 47, left her body yesterday about 6 pm in a road accident cycling home after duty in Kailash Clinic. Love and support to Tatiana's husband Dr. Igor and their children. Read more

Auroville still has lot to learn about important issues like housing. Practicing diversity in unity is not easy but as Renu noted in the interview, one of the thing common to us all is that each one of us is attached to the development of Auroville. Common agreement has to come partially from people being sensitized and understanding as to why the land is used and why is there a certain density. And maybe by all of us actively searching for solutions will bear more fruits than criticizing.

Adrien, Elsa and Sophie, interms from the National School of Landscaping of Versailles in France have been working with Tow Development Council / L'Avenir d'Auroville, Road Service and Marie since June on a design for the Mahalakshmi Park. On thursday 18th of August in Conference Room in Town Hall we had a chance to see the presentation of their work. Fresh and interesting concept they presented was warmly welcomed by the audience, and presentation itself was followed by lively discussion. Posters are on display at Town Hall . Read more

Featured is Krishna of Solitude Farm with the concept of replacing lawns and ornamental landscapes with gardens and orchards to provide food, as the question of our food security cannot be left to big farms alone nor planning groups to decide. Auroville's 2nd Triathlon takes place 11 September, get ready! There will be two categories: contact mike AT auroville.org.in or sourya.sercomanens AT gmail.co Why play Bridge? It stimulates both the sides of the brain. Introduction to Bridge: amaresh.deshpande AT gmail.com Read more

Mango and Tango are words for this weekend, which, weather wise might be dry and hot. Dance, not only tango lovers, can join the workshop for tango at Arka on Saturday as Sunday, morning and afternoon, since it doesn't require partners but just socks. Both days will end by milonga - tango party. About workshop we talked with Aurevan. On the other side Solitude Farm invites us all to MANGO Saturday. Beside delicious mangoes they would like to share with us also knowledge on permaculture gardening, and inspire us to start thinking to grown our own food at our homes. Read more

L'Avenir d'Auroville communication platform informs us that the first stretch of the Vikas radial road has just be opened. The second stretch, up to Arati, is planned to open by mid-July. The stretch of the Crown Road, between Arka and Surrender, will be completed by the end of this month. L'Avenir is now planning to build another stretch of the Crown Road, from Kailash up to the Pour Tous Distribution Centre. The building of the road will start in July but the clearing for the road is planned to start by the middle of June. The presence of flowers at Matrimandir Gardens are meant to help build the Consciousness of the Gardens so as to be a tool for the growth of human consciousness - for those individuals who come to visit the Gardens and Matrimandir, and for the Earth as a whole. Matrimandir Garden Team asks all of us - guests and Aurovillians alike to stop picking up flowers in the Gardens. Read more

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants which started in Geneva at the beginning of the week is about to end. Decisions regarding the Endosulfan pesticide ban are still pending. Njal, who has been raising awareness regarding Endosulfan's impact on the environment and health in Auroville/bio-region, revealed the arguments from the side of the chemical industries. Plus how it's difficult for farmers to understand the impact of Endosulfan. Njal hopes the 1000 signatures he gathered for the petition (sent to Geneva) against Endosulfan will result in a change for the best. Read more

Today's news features Abha speaking from might sound an unusual perspective for someone in business, but what she expresses is from her depths, as a long-time Aurovilian, seeing beyond the ordinary vision, as flowers, leaves, seeds and seedpods are transformed into useful objects, beautiful to behold. Also in the news a few announcements: 100,000 Tsunamikas wish to be in Japan as a Symbol of Hope from India. And, an opportunity to look at how car-free cities have grown up and evolved around the world, and reflect on how that might be planned for the future of Auroville, the City the Earth Needs: a Mobility Management presentation tonight at Town Hall. And finally, 'White Peacock' clay studio invites all clay lovers and all those who don't care for clay yet to an Open House cum Exhibition on Sunday 27 March at 10 a.m. in their corner of the Kindergarten compound. Read more

In this last interview of the series on the 'History and Future of Farming' we talk with Toine. Toine's talents lie not so much in the practical aspects of farming, but more in the organizational structuring of Auroville's greenbelt. Having a history as former director for two multi national companies on wind and solar energy, he currently working in the Town Hall. Toine is asked to help out on the organizational aspects of the five year plan called ASAP. While each has his or her own knowledge of the local climate and soil, Toine contributes to the management and creation of a integrated approach among all the individual approaches. This talk will uncover some of the main aspects of the five year plan and its expected developments in the upcoming months. Read more

In this tenth interview Murti (Ayar Padi) gives us an audio tour through his farm and the issues linked to it. Born in the local village Kottakari, Murti had to finance his farm on loans. Slowly it transforms to the farm that it is today. A farm with many varaities of vegetables and volunteers who pay to help out. Murti freely talks about his expectations of the five year plan called ASAP. As ASAP comes to existence, Ayar Padi Farm really gets the change to develop, says Murti. Read more

As a kick-off for the presentation of the Auroville Sustainable Agriculture Plan (ASAP), within the next few months, Auroville Radio presents a series of eleven interviews concerning the foods we eat in Auroville. What were the ideas in the old days of Auroville regarding agriculture and sustainable foods? Which agricultural developments did Auroville been through since the first Aurovillians started to change the dusty plains into the forest it is today? How is the present situation in Auroville's greenbelt and what is it capable of? And, perhaps most important, what are the challenges for the future?... Read more

Featured today is an excerpt from an interview with Soleil and Wolfgang talking about Hladina and 'Aligning One's Soul with the Soul of One's Nation' which was the topic of their recently presented workshop; the interview in its entirety can be heard next week. Also there's an announcement from Matrimandir's present Design Team, welcoming those who feel called to come forward with creative input regarding the planning and realization of its gardens. And from Greenwaves: evidence that cell phones can be hazardous to health is getting stronger. Read more

As a kick-off for the presentation of the Auroville Sustainable Agriculture Plan (ASAP), within the next few months, Auroville Radio presents a series of eleven interviews concerning the foods we eat in Auroville. What were the ideas in the old days of Auroville regarding agriculture and sustainable foods? Which agricultural developments did Auroville been through since the first Aurovillians started to change the dusty plains into the forest it is today? How is the present situation in Auroville's greenbelt and what is it capable of? And, perhaps most important, what are the challenges for the future?... Read more

As a kick-off for the presentation of the Auroville Sustainable Agriculture Plan (ASAP), within the next few months, Auroville Radio presents a series of eleven interviews concerning the foods we eat in Auroville. What were the ideas in the old days of Auroville regarding agriculture and sustainable foods? Which agricultural developments did Auroville been through since the first Aurovillians started to change the dusty plains into the forest it is today? How is the present situation in Auroville's greenbelt and what is it capable of? And, perhaps most important, what are the challenges for the future?.... Read more

Today's news brings some important information on changes that are going to be made to improve the virtual life of the aurovilians. Starting with email, auronet announces the next steps to the Google Migration. From telephone service the effort on creating more effectiveness and a more clean environment with the paperless bills. If you are looking for some activities to get engaged, Social Homecare Service is looking for caregivers. For those who want to become aurovilians: next week we have the Orientation Week. And tomorrow: Buddha Garden open house! All are welcome Read more

Amongst other talks at Mutation II was also Joss presentation of enormous project in Chennai on the banks of Adyar Poonga. Huge work of Joss and many Aurovilians there for last four years was completed just a month ago. It is tremendous transformation of something that used to be a sewer back to river, by sunlit paths next to it. With their work they didn't only expressed lots of creativity but it was also a journey in relation to water which we insulted and degraded that we got sewers instead of rivers. And as Joss mentioned they couldn't have done it if Auroville with what is stands for, wouldn't be behind it... if there wouldn't be an experience of transformation in reality. To download the presentation as pdf click here.

Today's news offers a variety of announcements starting with Auroville's Housing Service, about to launch an Auroville Housing needs and resources survey which will provide information necessary for accurate planning for future housing., to be launched at the Housing meeting on 10 March. Next a reminder from Auroville Vehicle Service, followed by an invitation for Open House at Buddha Garden on Thursday and finally, also on 10 March, a powerpoint presentation by Sigrid will be made on New Classical Homoeopathy. Read more

As a kick-off for the presentation of the Auroville Sustainable Agriculture Plan (ASAP), within the next few months, Auroville Radio presents a series of eleven interviews concerning the foods we eat in Auroville. What were the ideas in the old days of Auroville regarding agriculture and sustainable foods? Which agricultural developments did Auroville been through since the first Aurovillians started to change the dusty plains into the forest it is today? How is the present situation in Auroville's greenbelt and what is it capable of? And, perhaps most important, what are the challenges for the future?... Read more

Today's news features an interview with Dr. Karen Litfin talking about a book she is preparing on the eco-village, as an answer to the need for sustainability. Announcements include a musical vening at Kala Kendra in Bharat Nivas this evening, concluding Celestine's Photo Exhibition and Installation. And, 29th Jan. 'Lively Up Your Earth' Festival: help is still, at this late date, needed: volunteers welcome. The final meeting to get involved on Monday 24th January, 5 pm at Solitude. And, a talk and tour of Pebble Garden which is about sustainable horticulture, cultivating difficult land, maintaining and generating biodiversity. Read more

Priya Vincent one of the coordinators of Buddha Garden spoke in detail about organic farming. The basic elements of farming – soil, water, plants, animals, and pests and diseases – are universal to any farming method that’s adapted. Priya, who was presenting at the Green Practices Workshop, said understanding each of these elements is the key to sustainability. She spoke in depth about each of them and related it to her experiences with the Buddha Garden. Priya remarked that farming can never be a mechanical process but is more of dance between all these elements. Download presentation

Shama Dalvi, an Aurovilian architect, gave a presentation during the Green Practices Workshop about a rain water harvesting project at Yelagiri. She spoke briefly on different types of rainwater harvesting systems and the system chosen for the project at Amaidhi homes. Shama explained two types of harvesting techniques, the active and passive, and gave various reasons for choosing the latter. Giving more details about the entire structure of the vacation homes, she described the nitty-gritties of how the rain water was harvested. Erosion was the biggest problem and this was stabilised by using granites and creating artificial waterfalls to reduce the water force. Download presentation

Monsoon is in a full swing, and city accordingly to that is a little bit quieter. Still regular classes at Verite, Pitanga, New Creation...are going on, and in Cinema Paradiso at Town Hall, as usual, we can see some good movies. Especially sticks out Sunday's Cine Club festival of Werner Herzog, controversial but genius film maker, who was not afraid to touched even “hot” topics and questions. At Savitri Bhavan on Saturday we can follow the series of George Van Vrekhem talks, and this one will be focused on Sri Aurobindo's Descent into Death.

Restoring the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF) to the society is our priority, said Paul Blanchflower, who founded the Auroville Botanical Garden. At a presentation during the Green Practices workshop, he said the aim should be towards sustainability as we are an energy-driven society. Joking about a philosophical angle to his talk, Paul emphasized that nothing on this planet can exist without a relationship to humans, as we are the dominant force. He discussed more aspects to landscaping and the other projects they are currently working on.

Glenn Baldwin, who is involved with the Auroville Forest Group, in a presentation on green practices gives a broad overview of the work, which has been done over the years. For the first people who had arrived at Auroville, Glenn points out, it was a very tough situation as it used to be a treeless and eroded plateau. The early settlers came with pockets of seeds from their respective countries and many trees were planted, “every tree was special and precious”.Glenn then explains the various problems Aurovilians face even now, and how they have learned and use different solutions to cope with these problems. Click here to download the presentation

At the Green Practice Workshop held in August, Astar Patel, a member of the Governing Board of the Auroville Foundation, spoke about how Auroville is an intense experience, from the physical to the spiritual. Talking about how Sri Aurobindo foresaw an extreme crisis upon man, which he called the crisis of evolution, Dr Patel drew parallels to the various events that took place this century, one of which was the formation of Auroville. “Auroville is like the world’s inner space… in spite of the compact collectivity, the freedom of the individual is absolute,” she added.