A good number of Aurovilians convened at Unity Pavilion on Friday for an open-space discussion on the Entry process. The meeting was a continuation of last month's exploration into how to bridge the gap between the working groups and the RAS. In this second installment, the community reflects on the purpose of the entry process. Residents compare what it was like to join Auroville in the early days to what is required of Newcomers now. Ashatit facilitates as Aurovilians hold a conversation, collectively working out what should be be changed. Read more

As we all know housing is a big problem at the moment in Auroville. But with this new housing project there is light at the end of the tunnel. This project will provide 20 flats for single, couples and families starting from Rs 13 lakhs. There is also provision for modular office spaces. In this phase they will incorporate a new and innovative building technology called Light Steel Frame (LSF) for the structure. This technology is known for faster construction and its cost-effectiveness. Read more

For many participants the proposed agenda for the Values and Priorities meeting no. 4, was not really acceptable; on Restriction to Entry, when we should have examined the proposal for outlying lands be converted into resources to buy land within the Master Plan Area (in order to develop affordable houses) the meeting concluded after more than two hours of lively discussion. It was clear that we need to explore further the costs of present construction, which seems to be blown up; let's come up with concrete plans for alternative housing. Read more

Michaels came to Auroville one year ago to be a volunteer and now he is working at SAVI at Unity Pavilion in International Zone. He is helping the other volunteers for long term commitments - like welcome and registration when arriving in Auroville, or introductory seminar to discover and understand Auroville. He is also very much enthusiastic, with some ideas how to extend the field of action of Auroville around the world and, why not, to create others communities like Auroville. Read more

In the Unity Pavillion, the new multi purpose hall, the members of Auroville International have come together to discuss the Aurocard plan. Akash and Marco sketch a detailed picture of the Aurocard to the AVI members. The plan is as you know already in use, but not optimally. In this meeting, the unresolved difficulties around the card are discussed in detail. Every aspect regarding the Aurocard from technical details to the reactions of the guest houses are part of the discussion. Read more

Yesterday some members of the l'Avenir d'Auroville had a meeting with the residents to gather in the Creativity comunity. The aim was to update the participants regarding city development in residential sectors. The conclusion of the discussion was that the financial aspect of Auroville needs urgent attention so that the city's development can be realized. In the December issue of AurovilleToday a title resonates: Auroville Population Stagnate. Last year the residents increased by 8 members only. Some of the policies need to be looked into. Read more

Open doors once a month is a new addition of L'Avenir d'Auroville services to community members. In the interview with Dorle and Sauro we found out why more interactive approach needs to be taken if whole community wants to work on development of the city. Shortage of houses is a sore spot for years, and reasons for that are various. The new proposal of numerous projects from L'Avenir team was recently published, and it did stir up the community and bring positive and negative feedback along with the hope that things are moving.

Manu discusses the site plan and progress of Transit Lounge with Eric. The Transit Longue has been specifically designed for Aurovillians and Newcomers as a housing solution in order to ease the pressure of shifting houses every one or two years and to help integrate themeselves in Auroville. The intention is to provide freedom and choice to a community of smaller groups that can co-exist creatively and peacefully. The prototypes of individual designs of housing units proposed by various builders was also discussed. Read more

Today's news features Ross, a member of the Entry Service Team, speaking of his experience and his growth as a result of taking on such work. Also find an announcement for a new session of 'Orientation to Auroville,' for those in the process of becoming newcomers it's part of the Entry Process to Auroville. It is always an amazing experience; it uncovers the deeper reality of Auroville, its history, aims and ideals, and present functioning in key areas. Read more

Jalshaghar presents on Thursday 28th July, at 8.00pm at Sri Aurobindo Auditorium Bharat Nivas, Pavilion of Indian Culture World Music Concert Raga – Jazz.; night of interesting music. Also on Thursday at 5 pm in Town Hall Conference Hall we're invited to the Presentation on Transit Lounge housing project which is an experiment in dis-mountable housing with common facilities. It gives a relatively low cost place to live, in a short period of time with many creative options such as housing design, financial features and flexibility. Read more

Transit lounge is a new temporary housing project for newcomers and Aurovillians who are forced to house sit and move from place to place looking for accommodation facilities,thus this project will fulfill their housing needs. This consists of basic dis-mountable houses which will be made from natural materials obtained from local villages environment with compost toilets. However, the houses will cost around a lakh or two,which may be affordable to everyone. In this case the housing problem in Auroville will be solved. "I call upon newcomers and Aurovillians to participate in this enthusiastic project," says Manu. Apparently it is expected that about 30 houses will be built just for the start and more in the future, though there hasn't been much response from both newcomers and Aurovilians. Read more

The last meeting for transit lounge of 24th 0f June was basically about the land issue when one Tamil person on the previous one that had taken place on 16thof June claimed that part of the land was his. Manu who is the main man and his team went back and sat on the table to figure out how they were going to deal with issue there fore they decided to go for plan plan B and this was to take up the land opposite Courage. In this interview however Manu and Balagi spoke about how the project will benefit the Aurovilians and newcomers who have a housing situation and the materials that would be used in the construction of the dis-mountable houses further more they talked about how the students(architect interns) will be involved in the project and also that the materials are tested at pondicherry university...... Read more

For this weeks update on the Transit Lounge, we accompanied potential users to a site visit of the Living House by architect Ajay. We have interviewed the architect, followed by feedback and comments from potential users on the construction and its features. The Living House, which is one of the new prototypes for the Transit Lounge/ Temporary Housing Project, is made from natural materials obtained from local villages/environment. Thus it comes with a low carbon footprint, while preserving local tradition and crafts. Ajay and his family have been living for more than 4 years in the house made from stone, mud, bamboo and a grass/ reed thatched roof, which should last 10-20 years. So far little to not maintenance was needed, as the long overhang protects most of the building from the strong monsoon rains. ... Read more

Pierre Villat , a civil engineer by profession but an explorer in mind condenses his feeling & experience about his careful systematic search in the archeological sites in Egypt. A guest in Auroville, he talks Exclusively with AurovilleRadio about the meaning of a beautiful life, Mother & how he has been shaped from his past which he considers as a kind of gift. Our imagination dream and reality's unfixed border & thirsts about Egypt gets more and more interesting from his observation. Enjoy !!! Read more

In a month from now, architects and builders will start working on assembling the common house of the Auroville Transit Lounge. We have interviewed Nikadass a potential "user" of Transit Housing. He shares his understanding and feelings of the project, while talking about his personal experience he raises some of his concerns on housing per se in Auroville. Read more

The Transit Lounge project has taken solid roots. Every Wednesday, prospective users gather to discuss issues, share ideas and visit builders to get first hand experience of the 8 housing designs. At the start of this week, we share an interview with Architect Manu, who summarizes last Wednesday's meeting in which "users" were brought together with builder Peter A. Luminosity and his design "Beyond Johnny". This weeks meeting will take place on Wednesday 18th at 5pm, location Reeve. Prospective "users" will have the opportunity to meet with builder Eric and receive explicit information on his Auzolan Construction. We are looking to follow the development of The Transit Lounge/ Dis-Mountable Housing Project, but if ... Read more

"It takes too much time to build houses compared to the need", here is the concrete starting statement Bridget assessed to explain the reason why of the Dis-mountable Housing Project to the sixty persons who came to attend the meeting on Friday April 15th, 2011 at the Town Hall Conference Room. The Auroville Transit Lounge project team presented details, images and costs of the projects as well as the sites that are dedicated for it. Dis-mountable Housing aims at providing solutions to new comers and Aurovilians who need housing for the time being of their own house construction. Read more

Dorle from l'Avenir d'Auroville and Manu, Architect working on natural and renewal materials, are giving additional information on the issues builders and architects have faced to develop Transit Housing solutions and how they are trying to find answers. Both explains why the Dis-mountable Housing is first targeting new comers and Aurovilians who have the ability to fund the construction of their own house while staying in a "transit housing area". Dorle also inform on the forecast cost for family, couple or single units as of today. Read more

Aurovilian Johnny, Australian born, a man who is the quintessence of an Aurovilian; he lives simply, happily, he works/teaches simply because he is. Johnny reveals that he has always been fascinated with small spaces and the science of building.  As a student of Buckminster Fuller (who was not in fact an architect) Johnny took it to heart that 'man is a problem-solving device,' and imbibed Bucky's geometric insights. From all this comes the small de-mountable house, an optimal house for this climate, states Johnny. A de-mountable house is not a new concept by any means; in 1945 it was available in the West: ordered by mail and delivered by helicopter. 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

Today at 5 pm the Entry Service, the Housing Service, L'avenir d'Auroville and the FAMC shared information about housing. The figure is that Auroville have a shortage of housing for various kind of people in Auroville: 100 Aurovilians, 114 Newcomers in Auroville, 180 Newcomers on their way, 219 Youth of Auroville, 25 Friends of Auroville. The room was packed a lot of interested people were present. The discussions ranged from the economical aspect to the spiritual one. A interesting General Meeting to listen to. Read more

Any person interested in becoming Aurovilian need to do the Newcomer period, as a way of getting in tune with Auroville. A group of 3 Aurovilians took the initiative and organize a introductory week on Auroville to those people, helping them in the decision of taking this step. In one of this talk, Joseba, from the Housing Service, share with us big challenges connect to the housing situation. You can listen to the complete presentation here at the radio from tomorrow (the 25th of November) onwards. We also have an announcement from Transition School that needs a science teacher and from the Puncture Service that has a brand new service to the community. And our last goodbye to our dear friend Ingo Wey, that has passed away yesterday.

The Life Education Center, an outreach unit that works to provide mentoring and technical skills to young village women. LEC is described from multi - generational perspectives. Zerina, a long time teacher and mentor at the center describes the evolution and discovery of the center's mission to provide emotional support and basic trade skills, along with her own memories of working to mentor girls. Indirani, an Auroville Newcomer – who received training at LEC, and then returned as a mentor – speaks about her journey to become an Aurovilian, and gives a unique perspective on the Auroville community and entry process. Saranya, a current LEC student shares a few words about the LEC's role in her life. Read more

Ross of the Entry Service is featured in today's news in an excerpt from a presentation he made last Saturday, offering insights on what the work is in serving in this crucial group. Also in the news there's an announcement about the upcoming data-collection to begin in the work of updating the records of Aurovilians, a census in fact. Also information from the Auroville Forest Group on the planting of TDEF (Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest) as they planted 18,000 seedlings, restoring the habitat ,waging the good battle against unconscious tree cutting.

Sraddhalu Ranade, invited by the Newcomer Program Team, offered a lecture at Savitri Bhavan the 19th of June 2010. Sraddhalu is a scientist, educationist and scholar residing at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram; Pondicherry. This talk covers a broad spectrum of themes relating to life in Auroville, from the essential spiritual truths that it seeks to realize, to the practical forms and means that need to be worked on. Among other things, it covers issues such as Auroville's relationship to other communities, attitude in dealing with daily trials and struggles in the community, critical difference between daily work and karma-yoga, practical hints and secrets to Auroville's success that are embedded in the Charter of Auroville. Introduction by Julia for the Newcomer Program team.

Joël et Muriel, venus de Belgique, ont choisi de s'embarquer pour l'aventure aurovilienne. Pour ces deux nouveaux arrivants, vivre à Auroville c'est d'abord une expérience radicale et quotidienne sur le chemin de la transformation. Ils ont été conviés par le groupe «Newcomers for newcomers» à une conférence sur Auroville présentée par Sraddhalu Ranade, scientifique et pédagogue de l'ashram Sri Aurobindo ( voir «Presentation on Auroville by Sraddhalu Ranade» sur AurovilleRadio, pour l'écouter en entier). Ils s'expriment ici au fil de la Charte, commentant la conférence et dévoilant leurs expériences intérieures à cœur ouvert. Programme légèrement bilingue, où la voix de Sraddhalu en anglais et celles de Muriel et Joël en français, s'entremêlent et tissent le rêve selon eux.

Larry was a Rich boy or so did he think,he had luxury cars and all other luxuries of this world. But he starts doubting the meaning of richness after his father brings him to Auroville for school. He learns a lesson about true richness and blindness of this world from the people of Auroville. The Children attending the holiday camp in Deepanam school have performed this radio play for Auroville radio. to listen to the Journey of Larry towards real richness, click on.

Que cambia en dos anos? En las News de hoy vais a oír un trozo de la entrevista echa conmigo en la radio ha exactamente 2 años. Que me trajo aquí, que hacia en aquel entonces, que quería aprender y que me trajo aquí. El 22 de abril, este jueves, es el mundialmente conocido Día de la Tierra. En Auroville, muchas cosas se irán celebrar, desde charlas con expertos en el tema hasta la fiesta de Cumpleaños del Proyecto, Small Steps, de Upasana.

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On m'a demandé une chronique sur l'Entry Service, et franchement je n'avais strictement rien à dire. Dans ces cas là on préfère garder le silence car on craint de dire des bêtises. Le problème c'est que j'adore les bêtises et sortir mon baratin malin et pas radin. L'Entry Service c'est compliqué, ça fait des années et des années qu'on se retrouve toujours à méditer sur le sujet, sous un arbre, en terrasse, en comité, en study group, autour d'un thé au lait. J'ai fait plusieurs fois le tour de la question, ça m'a donné mal à la tête, ce topic là c'est un véritable casse-tête. Mais je m'en suis sorti grâce à mes exercices d'hata-baba et v'la le résultat... Pour télécharger cette chronique cliquez ici.

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Nous sommes à l'heure du déjeuner à la Solar Kitchen. Il y a des Auroviliens, des Newcomers et des Guests qui discutent ensemble sur cet aspect chaotique du collectif d'Auroville. Peut-être est-ce à partir du chaos que LA solution pourra émerger? Pour comprendre ce phénomène, comparons-le à celui de la métamorphose d'une chenille en papillon. Avant de devenir papillon, cet être en transition est obligé de se désagréger et de devenir une sorte de bouillie vivante. Ce n'est qu'à partir de là que des nouvelles cellules – qu'on appelle cellules imaginales – apparaissent et que le papillon peut se former. Pour télécharger ce programme cliquez ici.

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