In this presentation the participants of the Energy Positive Habitats workshops shared in the plenum what they had learned, practiced and experienced during the four parallel workshops: 1. Emerging Energy Policies, 2. Building Energy Auditing and Management , 3. Energy Efficient Building Design, 4. Decentralized Solar & Wind Installations. Each participant felt this was a massive learning experience. Read more

B and Luigi resume their dialogue in the fifth of an ongoing series , today touching on the lake-to-be surrounding Matrimandir and upon the city centre. Luigi stresses the point that the lake water will be sourced from either rainwater harvesting, or through the use of desalinized water. Not at all from Auroville's underground reservoir of potable water. Read more

Featured is a continuation of dialogue between B and Luigi around city planning: the ideals, the ground floor realities. They touch upon the lake-to-be: Matrimandir Lake and the city centre as well. Also a tribute to our good friend and brother Georges van Vrekhem who left his body in his sleep at home; he was 77, a long-time heart patient. His research and deep understanding of the teachings and vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother touched many, creating an opening to their remarkable vision, which goes beyond man. We will dearly miss him. Read more

The RAS called (Aug 30) 'Working Meeting of the Residents' in response to Foundation Secretary, Mr Bala Baskar's invitation at last week's meeting (to hear feedback on a draft version of the Entry/Exit policy), to "get together and decide what you want" with regards the content of the document. The meeting aimed to work through the draft towards a clear response but did not achieve this due to complications arising from confusion over the policy's role and discussion of details regarding the community's internal processes of Entry and Exit.e

Energy efficiency in the building sector. Globally buildings account for 40% of the energy use. The total energy use in buildings is growing rapidly owing to economic development, increasing urbanization and improved lifestyles. In this talk Mili Majumdar introduces some energy efficient strategies and practices for urban settlements and buildings that are being implemented in India. To download the presentation click here. - Director, Sustainable Habitat, TERI www.agp.aurovilleconsulting.com/speakers

Herbert Girardet explores if large, modern cities can be viable and resilient homes for humanity. He describes the historical urban transformation from agropolis (an economic system that draws most of its resources from immediate bioregions) to petropolis (eco-predator which relies on petrol-based fuel and highly wasteful resource management). He shares that the future lies in ecopolis and regenerative cities. To download the presentation click here. Co-Founder, World Future Council - www.agp.aurovilleconsulting.com/speakers Read more

In the fourth of a series of dialogue between B and Luigi the focus touches upon the Galaxy and the Master Plan. What is the difference? How are they related? These two senior Aurovilians keep the ball rolling and learning comes with listening. And the International Zone is explored, the depth of its meaning, its importance. Stay tuned for further episodes on a weekly basis. Click here to download the International Zone map. Read more

Featured is number 4 of Luigi and B in their series of dialogues, today to try to focus on the difference between the Master Plan and the Galaxy. This ongoing series offers understanding and insights from two senior Aurovilians, united in their sincerity to see the city grow yet differing in their approaches. Continuation of their dialogue will take place each Tuesday, for the foreseeable future.This discussion in its entirety can be heard as a program, published later today. Read more

How important is it to laugh together, to sometimes to say the truth or point out things about ourselves we're not too proud of, through the use of humor? It is clear again and again at the shows of Genius Incorporated Production.  Always very well attended by audience bursting with anticipation where the team will lead us on that night. Last night, with the help of many - beside Genius Incorporated Production Team of Paul, Wazo, Jesse, Christoph, also Renu, AAG, IPAS - we were exploring how much we know about.....how much we dare, explore, stand together... Read more

 

Pioneer Aurovilians Luigi and B continue their dialogue on the topic of building Auroville in harmony between Aurovililans and midst a green environment; this is the third in a series which will continue for some time, as it seems to flow over differences in understanding in a friendly sort of sparring manner, uncovering points ususally unknown or overlooked. Luigi brings to light that many of us haven't even read the Auroville Master Plan, certainly must-read before commenting on what is and what should be. Find it at www.auroville.info Read more

After a break of several weeks, Luigi and B resume their dialogue. Discussed today: the topic of 'yantra' as well as communication and goodwill as necessary components in successful decision making, and the desired synthesis of constructing solid structures along with a green environment. B points out that we can have it all.

After almost two years of intensive research and study David Stein yesterday presented a Green Belt Plan - Draft . That plan should help us to deal with issues relating to land use, encroachment and the role of the green belt to water in Auroville and the bio region. In his presentation David Stein indeed emphasized awareness of interconnectedness, and vital role of water. Water sources should be preserved and kept in the area by proper measurements to supply Auroville and its bio region. Numerous questions followed the presentation. Read more

RAS invites us to a Collective Priorities & Values Meeting No. 3 , with the topic on Housing on Monday 6th of August at 4.30pm at Unity Pavilion in International Zone Meeting includes Presentation from LRD on Outlying Lands. Saturday morning at 6.30am we will clean an International Zone, We meet at the Pavilion of Tibetan Culture. On Saturday at 7.30pm at At Sri Aurobindo Auditorium BHARAT NIVAS presents I WE THAT Solo Mime Acts by Mime Man . Short film screening by Life Education Centre Aurofilm and Indian Mime Theatre Read more

L’Avenir: the body responsible for planning the city, for sifting through the differences in perspective between adhering to the past with its firm guidelines and the present, aware of the current situation and its needs with full respect for the past and hopefully coming up with a workable synthesis...a selection process to place 10 new l’Avenir members for a 4-year term of office is in process, to establish a new and harmonious team. RAS team member Jesse shares what’s happening this morning, the final day of the deliberation process. Read more

Yeserday's General Meeting to discuss collective values and priorities has showed that need to communicate and find common solutions is more than obvious. Although we might have different opinions and ideas how to proceed, is also clear that collective spirit of community is there, at least amongst those who participated. And as we may differ on some points, to most members of community the leading thread - idea, set forth by the Mother and Sri Aurobindo is clear, along with the higher inner state of consciousness in progress Read more

The featured interview is with Working Committee member Fred, talking about meeting with India’s fourteenth Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, rightly acclaimed as a thinker and a scholar. Dr. Singh is well regarded for his diligence and academic approach to work, as well as his accessibility and his unassuming demeanour; he took the oath of office for a second term 22 May 2009. A new painting on stone by Emanuele on display at Savitri Bhavan from July 1, first of a planned series of 7 on the wives of the Rishis. Read more

Yesterday Residents Assembly brought the results of our votes for the choice of the preferences on the Study Group's L'Avenir d'Auroville/TDC selection process proposal. Out of 274 votes, 27 were invalid, 197 votes Yes, and 50 No. For decision to be valid is needed 10% of adult population, which is 1790 people. Although it was a discussion in the beginning due to the small number of participants on the RA itself either we should follow 2004 decision making process, decison was to follow 2007 policy. Now the two processes will start: Read more

Featured today is an interview with long-time Aurovilian B, expounding on the current situation in Auroville, the problem of religion and authority...of why, seemingly, Aurovililans appear to ‘need’ a leader, to give an ‘OK,’ to tell them how to proceed...B shares his insights which sprang up as a result of last week's final Town Development meeting in which Mr. Doshi was present. According to B, the work of growing the galaxy must oringate from us, the residents of Auroville, sans the sanction of any outsider. Read more

In today's news we feature interview with Bridget form L'AVenir d'Aurovile / TDC reflecting on Mr. Doshi three days meetings and interactions with the working groups and Aurovilians...Due to summer holidays, there will be no Pondy trips by the ACT buses and Saiier Transport Service buses from Friday 22nd through Sunday 24th of June. Outside Solar kitchen, look for Fertile's bullock cart on Saturday 23rd from 10am for Mango Fandango - fun and Games, music if you bring it, MANGO's off the back of the bullock cart! Read more

Second afternoon of Mr. Doshi, Chairman of Town Development Council interaction with residents of the community was held in a good spirit and will to find some solutions. And if the community already agreed upon clear vision in order to build the city, this interaction also brought forward the necessity of need for technical group within Town Development Council. Participants agreed on a definite distinction between planning - representative team of the community, and technical part of the team with two clear separate roles. Read more

No doubt about it: planning, developing, building a city is the hot topic of this summer. The visit of Mr. Doshi, Chairman of Town Development Council, brought many interactions. This one is a recoding of the interactions with the community. Mr. Doshi's main point and question to the community: if the Galaxy is really the plan we should follow, how to proceed, and build the city together... our vision should be clear, without contradictions. In order to see the best we can build; answers need to be mandated from the residents of the community Read more

The Community Interaction with Mr Doshi (Chairman of Auroville Town Development Council) today and tomorrow, Tuesday 19th June at 4.30pm at the Town Hall Conference Room.Mr. Doshi requests that the community take up this opportunity to interact and reflect on the various key issues which need the community's reflection as these would form a crucial part of work to be done for the Planning of Auroville. The huge biomass waste created by cyclone Thane and EcoPro would like to initiate production of bioachar and Terra Preta. www.ecopro.in Read more

Following is the recording of General Meeting from yesterday at Unity Pavilion in International Zone, where we had a chance to hear directly and openly from members of L'Avenir d'Auroville - Town Development Council, who served the community on the hard task of the city and urban planing for past two years. What were the biggest challenges they've faced, which and who are the biggest obstacles for city to progress, ...questions were, and still remain many, and the feeling of participants that when the real talk starts we run out of time. Read more

Mr.Doshi is coming to visit Auroville and interact with the community on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th at 4.30pm at Conference Room in Town Hall. June 15-29 The Residents' Assembly Service (RAS) invites all Aurovilians to participate in a Residents' Assembly decision-making process on the structure and selection of the community's planning body, l'Avenir d'Auroville also called the Town Development Council (TDC). The Auroville Ultimate Frisbee club is about to participate on the tournament in Bangalore, and they need our help. Read more

General Meeting on hot Wednesday afternoon, with half of the population TOS, but with work needed to be done on planning, preparing an answer to Mr. Doshi and Governing Board, start the selection process... Jesse, trying to moderate the best he can, coming up with elaborate schedule of presentations with Q&A sessions afterward, but overthrown due the fact that most participants wanted to follow the discussion from two week back. To build, plan a city isn't easy, and if we want to do things differently, the spiritual base should come from within Read more

In today's news we featured words of Gilles from yesterday's General Meeting on planning at Untiy Pavilion in International Zone. Mr Doshi L'Avenir d'Auroville / TDC Chairman will be in Auroville between the 17th to 21st of June and would like to have several interaction with the community with regard to the planning and development of Auroville and the TDC. Our next Resident's Assembly Meeting will take place on 15th of June to finish the selection process, thus our participation is very important. Read more

Meeting between Mr. Bala Baskar, the Secretary of Auroville Foundation, Working Committee members and L'Avenir d'Auroville/ Town Development Council on future planning and developing the city had an explorative character. Opinions and ideas given on what should be the priority while focusing on the future and present situation hold different approaches - some with totally agreement by all, some slightly different, and some strongly disagreed. In order to present the possible future to Governing Board they need to be summarized and agreed upon. Read more

Future plans from Future School.. We interviewed some students who are graduating now. Their feedback about Auroville is that they feel like they have much more freedom, and they can move towards their own interest. They have wide range of subjects and the students can choose based on their motivation. Auroville education is the best education to them. The graduated students planned to move out of Auroville for their further studies because Auroville does not have University Education with certificates, and might return some day. Read more

In today's news we feature interview with Bridget from L'AVenir d'Auroville/TDC who shares exciting updates on their work. On 13th of June they will work on awareness building and communications on both governmental local and central governmental level. It will be panchayat leadership awareness course ... The Auroville Council is updating the list of arbiters who will be asked to serve as a team of 5 to study and give conclusion in case of conflict, that is beyond mediation, or in case of review of someone's status on the Master List. Read more

Yesterday's facilitated exchange organized by RAS at Unity Pavilion started with umbrella question - What question, if that question would be answered, would a neighbor ask as a community to agree on a shared way forward, and how to plan and build Auroville City? - which was meant to invite more questions, and not so much solutions and answers. Whole exchange was in a form of Fish Bowl Dialogue, which brought faster, and lighter dynamic to the meeting itself. One previous one was clear that community needs more to just talking to each other. Read more