News
from Abroad
Nairobi
Presentations of Mini-booklets
1. Forty sets of mini-booklets containing the words of Sri
Aurobindo and the Mother were presented to Dr. Devani of Aga
Khan Doctors' Plaza.
2. Twenty-five booklets of 'Ideal Child' in Kiswahili and
twenty-five booklets of 'Ideal Parent' were given to the site-workers
of Wagha Constructors and these 'Seeds of Light' were received
with deep gratitude by them.
3. On 2nd April 2008, Nairobi Centre of Sri Aurobindo Society
presented two thousand four hundred mini-booklets in twelve
different titles to the C.E.O. and the Senior Matron of M.
P. Shah Hospital, at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan. The booklets will
be given to the patients and the staff of the hospital. They
expressed their gratitude for being invited to the Bhavan
and for the generous offering of the booklets.
4. Twenty sets of booklets were given to Kenyatta University
Library. The Public Relations Officer Ms. Otolo appreciated
the booklets and remarked that the enlightening literature
will benefit the students and the teachers of the University.
Madhya
Pradesh State Committee - April 2008 Programmes
Dhar: On the occasion of the anniversary celebration
of Relics Installation in Dhar Centre, a 3-day sadhana shivir
on "Art of Living" was organised from 11 to 13 April
2008. Ms. Jyotiben Thanki from Gujarat was the resource person.
The State level committee meeting of Madhya Pradesh was held
at Dhar on 13 april 2008, headed by Shri Vijay Poddar, the Chairperson.
Shri Vijay Poddar, paying obeisance to Sri
Aurobindo & The Mother
Indore: The Indore Centre organised a talk
of Shri Vijay Poddar, New Delhi, on 14 April 2008 at Indore.
The subject was "What is Life?" Noted Hindi poet Shri
Saroj Kumar also spoke on the occasion.
Ms. Purva Pandit, performing a classical
dance on "Draupati cheer haran"
The talks were preceded by a classical dance performance
by Ms. Apoorva Pandit on "Draupati cheer haran". Three
youngsters presented their views on the following topics:
Ku. Gayathri Thampi on "Our relation with the Mother"
Ku. Ritika Bakshi on "Work in the light of the Mother"
Ku. Apurva Gupta on "The Mother's work and our responsibility"
Smt. Madhvi Chandolikar with her pupils singing
bhajans
Noted singer Smt. Madhvi Chandolikar rendered beautiful bhajan
songs. Shri Rajesh Chandolikar accompanied on tabla. Dr. (Ms)
Suman Kochar, Vice President of SAS MP State Committee, compered
the entire programme.
Ms. Jyotiben Thanki, interacting with the
teachers of Sri Aurobindo School, Bhopal
Bhopal: The Bhopal branch organised a 3-day talk series
of Ms. Jyotiben Thanki (Gujarat) from 15 to 17 April 2008, on
the following topics:
15 April 2008 - "Sadhana in daily life"
16 April 2008 - "Art of Living"
17 April 2008 - "Education", which was attended by
teachers of Sri Aurobindo School, Bhopal.
Shri Manoj Sharma compered the programmes.
Ujjain: On 4 April 2008, a one-day sadhana shivir was
held at Ujjain. In the morning collective meditation was held
at the newly purchased land of the Society, followed by the
playing of the Mother's recitation of the "Hour of God"
on tape. During the shivir, the following guest speakers spoke:
Ms. Mohan Ben (Ratlam) on "Bhagavad Prem (Divine Love)"
Ms. Ritam (Ratlam) on "Yoga of Savitri"
Dr. Suman Kochar (Indore) on "Sri Aurobindo Society and
its organisation"
Shri Madhu Sudan Shrivastav on "Yoga Sadhana"
Pd. Aasheesh Nagar and Smt. Mona Thakkar sang bhajans.
On 18 April 2008, Ms. Jyotiben Thanki from Gujarat spoke on
"The Mother's Grace"
NowGong: The 21st Anniversary of Relics Installation
was celebrated at Newgong Centre on 4 April 2008. Dr Archana
Modi and Shri Ambika Prasad Khare were the guest speakers. In
the evening bhajans were sung by Shri Umesha Khare and his group.
Sri Aurobindo's statue was also unveiled on this occasion.
Andhra
Pradesh State Youth Camp - 9 to 12 April 2008
Shri Vijaybhai, interacting with the participants
A Youth Awareness Camp was organised by the AP State Youth
Committee at the Beach Office of Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry,
from evening of 9th to evening of 12th April 2008. 26 youths
from various branches and centres of AP participated.
The participants, engrossed in the session
After registration of the participants, Shri P.C. Swaroop explained
to them the work that Sri Aurobindo Society has been doing.
The next day started with the early morning Physical Exercises,
followed by interaction with the participants, learning national
integration songs from Surabhi-di and shlokas from Dr. Sampad,
talks on India and youth by Ch. Harsha Vardhan, on and harmony
in life by Shri P.C. Swaroop, and visits to Ashram departments.
Shri Vijaybhai interacted with the participants on the important
questions in one's life and encouraged them to grow in the New
Consciousness, Shri Shivakumar explained the different dimensions
of Courage, Shri Sushanto imparted a touch of Art in Life to
the participants. Shri Manmohan Reddy spent some time with the
youngsters, sharing some important lessons of life. In all,
it was a beautiful opportunity for all the participants to have
participated in the Camp.
Hanamkonda
(A.P.) - Awareness Programme for Youth
On 10 Feb. 2008, a one-day Awareness programme for youth was
conducted by Hanamkonda branch. 23 youths from local colleges
participated. The programme started with the Mother music, followed
by a talk on Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
The programme included talks, physical exercises taught by
Shri Indra Sen, group discussions and a video show on Sri Aurobindo
Ashram. Some of the topics covered in the talks were "The
current position of India and the role of youth", "Right
attitude in day-to-day life" and "A message for youth".
In the evening, Smt. Prema Nandakumar read out a beautiful
message on India, her tradition, and the role of present day
youths. Ch. V. Ramana Reddy who had attended the All India Youth
Camp held at Pondicherry recently, shared his experience of
it. The entire programme was coordinated by Ch. Harsha Vardhan
and Ch. Indeevar.
Eluru
(Andhra Pradesh)
The Eluru Centre celebrated its anniversary on 29 March 2008
with group chanting of "Om Anandamayi, Chaitanyamayi, Satyamayi
Parame" followed by a satsang on the Mother's first visit
to Pondicherry on 29 March 1914 and reading of 'Savitri' (chapter:
Adoration of Divine Mother) and meditation.
Noida
(U.P.) - April 2008 Programmes
Discourses
4 April 2008: On the occasion of Sri Aurobindo's arrival
at Pondicherry, Special Collective Meditation was held from
6:30 to 7:00 pm. About 30 devotees and their families took part
in the above.
24 April 2008: On the occasion of Darshan Day - The Mother's
final arrival in Pondicherry, a programme of video on 'The Mother"
and Meditation was held from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. About 25 devotees
and their families took part in the above.
Daily Reading of Savitri at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan: 'Savitri'
is being read daily at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan from 5:00 to 5:30
pm.
Education at Sri Aurobindo Shiksha Niketan
12 April 2008: Ms. Deepti Singh from 'Ourja - energizing
minds' had an interactive session with the children of Sri Aurobindo
Shiksha Niketan for about an hour. Thereafter the children were
explained about the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and Sri Maa and
all of them paid tributes to Holy Shrine.
3, 10, 17 and 24 April 2008: During the month of April
2008 on 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th, Shri Vishwa Mohan Tiwari,
Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) and Col. M.K. Nigam came to Sri Aurobindo
Bhavan and interacted for two hours on respective days with
the children of Sri Aurobindo Shiksha Niketan. Poems/stories,
good manners and discipline were taught to the children.
Health
Treatment by Acupressure Therapy: Acupressure Treatment
for two hours daily from Monday to Friday by Mrs. Sudha Kesharwani
at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan is going on well. While giving treatment,
she is also using the relevant quotations of The Mother &
Sri Aurobindo and the persons coming for acupressure treatment
are evincing keen interest in them.
An Acupressure Therapy Training Programme has been planned
from 6 to 10 May 2008.
Free Eye Check-up/Consultation on every Sunday at Sri Aurobindo
Bhavan: Free Eye Check-up/Consultation is being organised
on every Sunday, for two hours from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm by Dr.
P.S. Chauhan, Eye Specialist and Project Director, National
Blindness Control Programme, Govt. of India, at Sri Aurobindo
Bhavan, Noida.
Development of Women:
Agarbatties, Candle, Chalk and Toys Making Classes: Agarbatties,
Candle, Chalk and Toys Making classes at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan
are going on well. About 20 girls are learning these activities
regularly.
Sewing & Tailoring Classes: Sewing & Tailoring
Classes are being conducted daily from Monday to Friday at Sri
Aurobindo Bhavan by Smt. Jaya Nigam and about twenty ladies/girls
are learning the same.
On 28 April 2008 Shri Ajay K Singh, Director, Jan Shikshan Sansthan
of Ministry of HRD, GOI, visited the centre in connection with
the recognition of the sewing and tailoring classes being held
at Sri Aurobindo Bhawan. He has very kindly agreed to give recognition
and issue necessary certificates to the students after the completion
of the current course as per their syllabus, which is going
to be completed by the end of June 2008.
Other Activities:
National Conference of Yoga Alliance India: On 13 April
2008, a one-day National Conference of Yoga Alliance India was
held at Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, Noida, which was attended by about
fifty participants. All the participants visited the Holy Relics
and the Programme started with prayers to the Mother. A set
of Booklet (consisting of eleven titles) on Sri Aurobindo and
the Mother were distributed to all the participants.
Regular Activities: Besides the above, regular activities
of Meditation with the Mother's music daily in the morning and
evening, Library, Playing of spiritual audio/video CDs etc.
are held.
Sultanpur
(U.P.)
The sacred Relics of Sri Aurobindo were enshrined at the Sultanpur
branch of the Society on 6 April 2008 by Shri Pradeep Narang
and Dr. J.P. Singh. The Chief Guest was Shri T.N. Chaturvedi
who spoke on the life of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. The other
speakers were Shri Pradeep Narang, Shri Vijay Poddar, Dr. S.C.
Tyagi and Prof. A.B. Kapadia. About 450 people attended the
enshrinement ceremony and offered their pranams at the Shrine.
On 5 April when the sacred Relics arrived at Sultanpur a big
gathering welcomed the Relics. The road linking the main road
and the shrine was named "Sri Aurobindo Marg" by the
Chairman of Nagar Palika of Sultanpur.
Anna
Nagar (Tamil Nadu)
The Anna Nagar Centre of Sri Aurobindo Society released 2 books
on 13 April 2008 - the Tamizh New Year Day. A book in English
"How to Face Difficulties in Life?" was released by
Prof. C. Subbian, Former Prof. of English, Pachaiappas College.
The Tamizh book "Vazhkaiyil Kashtangalai Ethir Kolvadhu
Eppadi?" was released by Shri P. Alwar, Secretary, Chennai
Branch of Sri Aurobindo Society. Each book contains 108 quotations
from the works of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. The books are
priced at Rs.20/- each and are available at SABDA, Sri Aurobindo
Ashram, Puducherry, and at Sri Aurobindo Society Centre, Om
Sri Annai Dhyana Maiyam, AP-514, J. Block, 8th Street, Anna
Nagar, Chennai - 600 040. Phone No. 044 - 26161826.
Dhar
(Madhya Pradesh)
The Dhar Branch of Sri Aurobindo Society installed sacred Relics
of Sri Aurobindo on 11 April 2008. A 3-day satsang, reading
and meditation shivir from 11 to 13 April was organised on this
occasion. Smt. Jyotiben Thanki spoke on "The life of Sri
Aurobindo and different aspects of His Yoga" on the 13th.
