For his homeback after couple of years Rolf prepared concert on 21st of April at 8pm at Sri Aurobindo Auditorium, Bharat Nivas, Pavilion of Indian Culture in International Zone together with Matt on piano, Suresh on drums and Mishko on bass. Sooner or Later he named the concert which will be consisted of his compositions, and as such would be a highlight of his musical career. Going trough changes and transitions he also decided to change his area of work, and started to teach math at Transition School. Read more

Srimoyi, who is in charge of the organization of the Park of Unity (the amphitheater, the Banyan Tree, the Matrimandir and the twelve gardens including the Garden of Unity), explains the three different booking procedures to enter the Matrimandir. She also talks about the Mother's guidelines and the current difficulties her team has to face. 'It must be solitary and silent. It must have an isolating zone, one must have access to it only with permission.' Read more

In order to celebrate the turn of the year, Tibetan students from Dharamsala let us listen to their traditional chanting in the Tibetan Pavilion. After their singing the audience was invited to join in meditation. Each year of the 12-year circle of the Chinese calendar is represented by a different animal. This wednesday was the first day of the Dragon year 2139. The day before a new year begins, Tibetans affirm their dedication to the dharma by chanting and meditating. They let go of the old and welcome the new. Read more

Uma Haimavati, founder of a design unit at Auroville, shares her experiences of being in Auroville and of the inspirations that the Mother provides her. After experiencing 'extreme vulnerability' during the recent cyclone Thane, Uma's past experience was reinforced that 'creativity' must apply itself to human unity in order to counter the feeling of nullness that arises after a disaster. She strongly believes 'knowledge would be delivered at the doorstep of action,' and looks forward to humanity arriving at its best composite for the future.

On the second day of Auroville International conference in Addis Abbaba at the Red Cross Society Training Institute Carsten introduced to Ethiopian audience renewable energy systems in Auroville - what we have achieved in the past, and what we want to do in the future. Carsten is the leading person behind commercial unit AV Energy Products which provide untis and individuals, home and abroad with electronic components for solar systems. Vision is that we should become energy independent and self sufficient with all our energy requirements.

With sparkling eyes and always present smile on her face Rebecca is one of very interesting long term guest we can see around for almost a year now. Her curiosity and a quest to finish her phd thesis on community and belonging brought her to Auroville. And since the method of research is ethnography in anthropology with participant observation she involved herself in few projects. In one she works for SAVI , interviewing units holders in order to design web page which will bring more useful informations to potential volunteers.

We are invited today at 5pm at the Red Door in Arka by Giorgio to see the Book – they named it the Little book on Photography made in recycled paper. For the occasion, later, the people will have the possibility to experiment with the Chronotype System on the spot. On Saturday 24th at the Unity Pavilion between 5 to 7 pm we can join the World Poetry Movement at poetry tea around peace table. Event is organized by Tamil Heritage Centre and Unity Pavilion. NATURELLEMENT is opening the GARDEN CAFE beside the canyon, next to Verite. Read more

The textile design studio Upasana had opened their doors last Saturday afternoon to welcome the public with tea and snacks. Many came some even from fare to get to know about the inspiring social development projects that have been created here. During this occasion Uma, the founder of this unit, has shared how she has started Upasana in 1997 in a little hut with only one sewing machine and no electricity and how it developed into what it is today. After Mandakini who is one of the project leaders talked with us about her experiences. Read more

Tonight the first batch of 26 children is leaving to Auroville Nature Camp - 2011 at Kavunji in Kodaikanal. Which will be between 4th to 12th of . They will leave tonight just after midnight from SAIIER Transport Campus by bus and they will return by bus on 12thMay at 7pm. Some Services and units are closed for a short or longer summer break, and they all advise you to check out the summer timings before you visit them. Tomorrow at 4,30 pm L'AVenir d'Auroville invites all interested at the gate of the Courage community to the 2nd Transit Lounge meeting,to walk to the actual site. Afterwards they will continue the meeting at the Solar kitchen terrace where the talk will be about the site, common infrastructure, number of people willing to commit and any other topics and questions and answers that come up. Read more

Younger children of Deepanam School prepared for the end of the year their own unique presentation of their project works. The youngest ones were visiting Matrimandir, while elder were researching their own social and biological environment and others were busy by visiting services and work units of Auroville. Presentation was for their school friends, holders or representatives of units and services they visited and for teachers. Read more

L'Avenir d'Auroville held the meeting with all architects of Auroville on main topic - how to work on development of Auroville, which is so specific and so diverse in purposes and interests. Meeting was called by Governing Board member Mr B. V. Doshi and joined by advisory member Mr. Harijit Singh Anand. As Mr.B.V. Doshi stated at his opening in Auroville many things are unknown and unclear - starting with land, demography facts, activities, housing, institutions and their connections with population, and their purposes. Establishing Development Council, which would be introduced to the Governing Board might bring some clarity and efficiently connect dispersed plans. Read more

« Social Entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish. They will not yet rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry". Here is Ashoka's innovative Entrepreneurship Organization's main motto which was further expalined by Gijs, during a 20-minutes stand at the Multi-Media Center on Tuesday April 19th, 7:30pm. Based on the TED talks model, the Fellow Member of Ashoka living in Evergreen presented the Social Organization's dynamic around the world and how its Fellows generate systemic changes within the Environmental, Human Rights, Democracy, Economy, Rural Development and youth areas. Read more

Found in the forests of Auroville are the basis of the products created at Shraddanjali: flowers, leaves, seeds and seedpods. And love and appreciation for the treasures of Nature. Abha, creatrix of Shraddanjali, puts it this way: to showcase the marvelous miracles of Nature so that viewers get a different perspective, an awareness and concern for this planet is the idea, more than selling... she says that's the tiny attempt they do in their work at Shraddanjali. Those who work with her also share and foster the ideal for a win-win situation: that businesses and education on a world level will aspire to make a paradigm change, in recognizing the simplicity and beauty of Nature. Read more

In a short interview recorded in Pondicherry at the opening of the exhibition "Varanasi Weaver Exhibition... a timeless journey", Uma Prajapati explain the importance of this social project Upasana is running in Varanasi. Quoting from the invitation: " Thousands of looms in Varanasi have become silent in the last decade - cheap, bad quality imitations have flooded the market and left weavers and traders in despair. Eighty-five percent of the weavers have wandered away to pursue other livelihood options. India's largest hand-weaving guild is threatened. Upasana has been involved in helping the Varanasi weavers' community since 4 years. We bring to you an exhibition showcasing Benaras through its textile, and tradition… An effort towards presenting responsible fashion and rediscovering pride in our collective heritage... Come experience a glimpse into the oldest city of India...”. The exhibition will be open till the 19th of February at the Alliance Francais (Pondicherry). Read more

Just before the New Year we spoke with Isabele, who is one of the founders of Auroville Market about it. As she told us it started three years ago with mainly Food Link products, and slowly overgrown into a well established Saturday Market with Auroville products. Location is central, in front of Solar Kitchen, and time frame Saturday morning. That way many people do pass by, not necessary with the intention to buy. It seems that Aurovillians, and New Comers do enjoy in the culture of Saturday market, on which, they supply themselves with fresh vegetables and food products, but also exchange the ideas, and socialize... Read more

Marcelo Cardoso is the Senior Vice President of Organizational Development and Sustainability for Natura, one of Brazil biggest companies in the cosmetics field. In his recent visit to Auroville he gave us the opportunity to participate in a very interesting presentation, where he shares with us a new way of management and how they had used in Natura the Bhutanese Happiness Index to develop new strategies on engaging and developing the people working at Nature. In a very deep conversation, Marcelo shows us that is possible to integrate spirituality, happiness and management.

Mark Twain once said "The difference between a Miracle and a Fact is exactly the difference between a seal and a mermaid". Auroville's literary pilgrimage and tactful metabolism needs a change. We conducted a short interview with the project holder of www.bluelightav.org Software Solution, Mr. Juergen. "Change is a slow process". Despite of the challenges on the ground, each and every day these computer engineers are trying to change the cocoon of working scenario at Auroville. ERP, Enterprise Resource Planning is the first lane of this change - a future solution for Auroville? Read more

Newcomers for Newcomers held one of numerous programs at Town Hall. On this occasion Ross from the Entry Service shared, through informal conversation, some insights with newcomers, pre-comers, and future friends of Auroville. He spoke about the difficulties and beauties of being one of the members of the Entry Service. Among other topics, Ross touched upon the basic question, which each of us should ask when considering joining Auroville – 'Am I here for Auroville or is Auroville here for me?' Read more

Paris, 28th September 2010. It's the last day of the Ethical Fashion Show who is taking place at la cité de la mode et du design next to the Seine. We are with Danny and Orly from Well Paper and Jean Marc Attia their partner in France from Marron Rouge. After the cat walk we interviewed them about their collaboration and how Auroville's unit are perceive in the world ethical market. Read more

Uma of Upasana and her team have been busy doing research on the silkworm, its cocoon and the incredible length of a single strand from that cocoon. The various processes that must be done before we have in our hands the textile the world knows as silk will be shown in the resultant book which is nearing completion; it presents the humble beginnings of silk and the various processes of how it becomes silk as the world knows it. The book 'Silk' will be completed in the next few months, available through Upasana.

Today's news features an excerpt from an interview with Uma of Upasana on Silk; research and the resultant book are nearing completion which presents the humble beginnings of silk and the various processes of how it becomes silk as the world knows it. The interview in its entirety can be heard next week. Also a reminder for a General Meeting at 5 PM today at SAWCHU, topics twofold: the ongoing discussion around Matrimandir's Banyan, those benches and pathways beneath it and, more dialogue on how we make decisions as a community in Auroville. The Council strongly urges all members of the community to be present and to participate; your input is valuable.

Today's news features an interview with Uma of Upasana as she shares an experience she's just had with an astrologer who maps charts via the use of colour and design, as a woven textile...she holds the first one up, it's based on the birth date of Auroville, its predominant colour is red...the second piece is based on the birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, with blue running through as the main theme. Also in the news an announcement for tomorrow, Tuesday August 31st another Pranayama Workshop at SAWCHU.

The Auroville Language Lab is a full-fledged language laboratory that draws upon the unique linguistic culture of Auroville. Alive with the rich vibrant sounds of languages from all over the world, Auroville is the perfect place to learn a new one.ALL offers Tomatis Ear Re-Education Therapy for both language learning as well as therapeutic applications. While it does not replace the need for language classes covering grammar, vocabulary acquisition etc, Tomatis method gives one the hearing of a native speaker, and consequently results in extremely precise and correct pronunciation. Here the presentation made by Mita about Tomatis and Auroville Language Lab.

Trough Auroville many people pass every year. Some stays few days, some about a month, but some decide to really “taste” it. Emanuela came from Brasil few months back, and she talked with us about her life, work and experiences here. She found lots of good things for herself around, she soon realized how much she grew, and also that month is not enough to taste what Auroville is about. For her the first month was the hardest but after she started to work, and meet Aurovillians, things changed. And as she said, right now Auroville is her second home.

Cette semaine les nouvelles d'Auroville s'installent à la pizzeria d'Auroville. Nous avons papoté avec Paulo, co-manager du lieu, qui, en poussant la chansonnette avec sa guitare nous raconte les histoires de sous-sous de la pizzeria. Bonne nouvelle depuis peu la pizzeria livre à domicile, 0413 2622 368 ! Read more

Sunny Saturday afternoon, and Upasana decorated with balloons, beautiful kolams on the floor and children laughter all around. Small Steps were launched three years ago deliberately on Earth Day, and in Auroville is one part of Small Steps campaign, which is stretched all over. Small Steps is focusing on the attitude that we all have take small steps and do something for the planet, for its greener future. Small Steps were launched as invocation to express gratitude for the Mother Earth. Read more

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Para la mayoría de la gente, un día en la oficina no puede pasare sin una taza de café. Para otros, una comida o cena no termina igual si no pueden deliciarse con esa sabrosa bebida. Pero cuantos de nosotros piensa que un viaje a India nos puede llevar a descubrir secretos de esta maravilla? Es de este tema que nos hablan Marc y Jose Luis, de Coffee Ideas, una iniciativa muy creativa y inspiradora que ha tomado sitio aquí en Auroville por las manos de estos dos aurovilianos que vinieron de España. Para terminar el evento de esta semana Genius Incorporated y palabras de Sri Aurobindo. (todo eso de ojos cerrados ya que la locutora tiene algo de conjuntivitis...)

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Effective micro-organisms (EM) technology is a liquid mix of microbes developed in Japan, which promotes vigorous plant growth, producing better agricultural crops. It can also be used to manage organic waste, even sewerage and polluted water bodies, reducing smells and controlling rotting. He is promoting the use of EM in waste management across Tamil Nadu as well as in Auroville, where people use it in their houses as well as in farms. Although academics are still skeptical, those using EM are convinced. “In the end, a solid waste management facility depends on skillful management and very little technology and very simple infrastructure,” he says.

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Nandini is a cooperative which supplies clothes on a need basis rather than enticing people to browse and buy things they might not really want, like a shop. Membership is paid for annually and people are given what they need regardless of cost. The clothes are bought in Pondicherry as and when they are required. Yet there are questions about defining need - how many t-shirts a person really needs - and this is monitored carefully. Sometimes people are found to be taking too much and Marie has to talk with them about what they really need. There is also a tailoring service to alter clothes and have things such as curtains and bedclothes made for houses. That piece was uploaded as one from the serie of past articles.

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The Trashion Show event at the Visitor Center was packed. More than 400 people came to see the fashion parade spectacular featuring garments and accessories made entirely from trash and recycled junk. The event challenged Auroville's best designers to work with Auroville's worst materials.The entertainment featured: Nadaka & Gopika - performing with the relevant theme in mind. The Mohanam Boys - making percussion music out of litter, The Brand New Band - representing the youth our future. Krishna (Emergence) - playing home-grown eco-friendly fusion. Patcha Mama - getting you grooving to sustainable ska/reggae. Tiago & Ana and the percussionist from Sadhana Forest. Jesse, the ever splendid trash talking host presented the event. Download the show. In read more the concerts.Read more

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