O Lord,My adoration risesardently towards Thee,all my being islike an aspiration,a flame which is

consecrated to Thee.O Lord, Lord,my sweet Master,it is Thou who livestand willest in me!This body is Thy instrument;this will is Thy servant;this intelligence is Thy tool ;and the whole is only Thyself.

THE MOTHER

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“We have tried in UNESCO… we have tried every way, and we have failed. And so now we turn to Auroville, and to its foundations, the firm foundation on which its human unity, its universal harmony, is to be built. That foundation-is MAN... MAN in all his glory, in his divinity, in his unfathomable depths which he can reach, and which Auroville will make it possible for man from everywhere – from Africa, from Europe, from Asia and from Americas – to achieve. It is not surprising therefore that Unesco has embraced Auroville as a programme which embodies its major and fundamental purposes ...“And so, on behalf of UNESCO ... I hail Auroville, its conception and realisation, as a hope for all of us and particularly for our children, for our youth who are disillusioned with the world that we have built for them and who will find in Auroville as they found at the time of its foundation ceremony, a living symbol, inspiring them to live the life to which they are ca1led.”

Dr. M.S. AdiseshiahDeputy Director General of UNESCO(At a-Radio Symposium, 1968)

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INTRODUCTION

ASPIRATION SCHOOL WAS started on the 15th December 1970.In this one year we have gone through a remarkable amount of educational experiences in international living.We have, of course, had nearly 10 years of experience in experimenting with new methods of education through the Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education. Especially with the Free-Form schools of thought, Dewey, A.S.Nei1 of Summerhill, Bertrand Russell, Montessori, but all seen to have found it impossible to reconcile Freedom with Discipline.In the Aspiration School we have organised activated Areas of work rather than teacher dominated classrooms. These areas of work are essentially interest-areas which are constantly evolving new interests, new improvements, new discoveries for tutor and student alike. They manifest a system of Free Progress where the Physical Mind is disciplined, the Vital Mind is fulfilled through all forms of art expression and language communication. Once this is established the Mental Mind, which usually opens around 10 years of age, can be given the freedom to choose its own interests based on the disciplined Physical Mind and a fulfilled Vital Mind which by this tine should have acquired some sense of good taste. It is then possible for the newly opening Mental Mind to enjoy the freedom of self-discovery, and exploration into more abstract fields of interest and through such interest is found the power to concentrate. It is then possible for the Psychic Mind to come forward where it has remained latent awaiting the right time for purity and individual potential to manifest itself.We have, in Aspiration School, over 100 students ranging from 1 to 21. We have 21 tutors. Students and teachers come from all over India and from many countries abroad. Therefore this is a living experiment in international living, dealing with the very real and intimate problems of such a life that aspires to the ultimate Ideal of Human Unity.The architectural programme for the environment and housing of this educational project has been planned to include a universal range of architectural experiments, from the open school plan of the Last School with its four different types of thermal control: the polyester roof, the hollow structure walls, the running water around the walls and the strategic openings to trap the breeze. All incorporated in one building constitute a perfect example of architectural air-conditioning without the necessity for any air-conditioning plant or artificia1 cooling system; to the closed school plan of the After School no. 6 which is to be the science building to the circular structure of the library and the oval plan of the Sanskrit School which will be the home of a multi-language laboratory.Over and above these physical innovations the educational experiments being carried out here in Aspiration, through a representative cross-section of students and teachers from all over the world, is probably the most unique of its kind because it is in process of evolving a completely new psycho-philosophy of education based on the concepts of Sri Aurobindo’s teachings and the direct guidance of the Mother.This research into new fields of educational experience has now gone beyond the experimental stages. It is now a re-statement of education for the whole world and sets the pattern for a practical approach to the future demands of educational and cultural communication with all peoples the world over.

N.C.D.

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LAST SCHOOL(Pavilion of Consciousness)

THE MOTHER has asked me to organise this school and I am only concerned with what SHE wants.

In organising the work I have asked all of you to observe only a few necessary rules:

1. To help build a group consciousness that includes all the children and teachers.

2. To help establish definite areas of work so the children have a sense of order and security.

3. To maintain a regular attendance discipline among yourselves.

4. To introduce compulsory physical education for the proper health and growth of the child and the discipline of the physical mind and body.

Norman C. Dowsett

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ASPIRATION SCHOOL

THE HISTORY OF ASPIRATION SCHOOL

THE MOTER WANTED the Auroville School to be inaugurated on the 15 th December 1970 .

This was carried out by André exactly at 5.00 PM on that day.

There was a very large attendance. André read out The Mother’s message:

Une volonté sincère de savoir et de progresser.

She also gave the following indications for languages:1. Tamoul2. Français3. Sanskrit – pour remplacer 1e Hindi – comme la langue nationale de l’Inde4. Anglais – Comme langue internationale

The number of students entered on the first was 44, and the number of teachers who gave their names for this school was 23. This number, however, was much reduced in actual fact, as only five could give themselves full time.

We began the first day with 44 students, but with no book, no ball – We did, however, find some bricks and a wheelbarrow on a building site, with these the children made a three-headed horse, Sri Aurobindo and the Mother’s symbols, a boat and a car – all the time trying to communicate in four languages as there are children who speak: only Tami1, only French, only English and Hindi.

The first ten days were a period of interesting chaos. Most of the teachers are Europeans and most of the children Indian of various language and backgrounds.

75% of the children live in Pondicherry and have to be transported back and forth each day. This has to be done with a minibus and a Land rover. The mini-bus going the long way round via Promesse to pick up the children living there, the Land Rover taking the short-cut on the lower Madras road. The first bus starts half an hour before the other. The roads are in constant need of repair, and only the Land Rover with its four-wheeled drive can attempt the short-cut with its bullock cart tracks through sandy stretches.

How long the two cars will stand up to this gruelling treatment is problematical.

Transport is a major problem, but no less is the problem of insufficient teachers. The difficulty is the fact of the same teachers having to be with the children right through from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon. Eight hours at a continuous stretch – because they have to be with the children during the lunch period and rest hour afterwards - is a major problem that has to be resolved.

After ten clays of experimenting with various possibilities it seems obvious that something immediate has to be done about the three major problems of teachers – transport and kitchen accommodation.

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January 19711/1/71 I put it to the teachers as a proposal that I was considering reducing the school tine to

half a day – from eight in the morning to twelve noon. This would solve, to a large degree, all three problems. The teachers met and decided that they would prefer to have the school continue for the whole day and that they would manage somehow.

3/1/71 The next day the children asked Alan if they could have a meeting on the same issue – he said ‘Why not?’ They met in the school after lunch with Alan as their appointed secretary but allowing no other teacher to attend. The result was a division of all the students into two factions: the children from Pondicherry wanted a full day study and the children at Promesse a half-day. The reason the children from Promesse gave for half-day was that they wanted to visit their friends in the afternoon. ‘But’, they said to Alan, ‘who will listen to us we are only children.’ ‘No’ Alan replied, ‘I will put your case and what you say before Normanda and he will decide what is best.’

4/1/71 The next morning when we arrived at school the Promesse children came and said, “We have had a further meeting last night and we have decided that we want to have school for the whole day.” This certainly indicates the awareness of the children in a very beautiful way.

10/1/71 Sunday -On the 10th January l97l I was invited to present the problems needed to be resolved to the Auroville Administrative Committee. Six items of major importance were set forth:

1. Transport – roads 2. Teachers – time/number3. Kitchen – facilities and food4. 3 round huts – whether they should be used as:

a. dormitory (1-8 students )b. crèche

5. Admissions: studentsteachersWhether we have the authority to engage teachers and admit children before we get the Mother’s permission?

6. Construction needs: a. water (4 metres of pipe needed)b. shelvesc. cupboards (3)d. electricity (+ points)

NB – A.A.C. comments:1. Roger felt that the Panchayats could do very little about the roads – to think they

could is only a ‘dream’. Anjani thought they could.2. Christopher said with regards the teacher-problem – “they can manage very well”.3. Varadarajan will try to arrange kitchen facilities at the Health Centre.4. The dormitory/crèche question has to be settled by the Aspiration people

themselves.5. The two teachers: Nirmala Sachdeva and Gangaluxmi and their son and daughter

can be accepted. Anjani says she knows them – they have already been accepted by The Mother for Auroville.

6. Construction needs except for water still undecided.11/1/71 Today both the mini-bus and Landrover have broken down and we had to transport all

the children in a lorry, the tarpauline being full of holes and the rain coming in on one

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and all, the children arrived wet through. However Henry assures me we can have the Volkswagen tomorrow and as I have two new lady- teachers to transport it is as well.

121/71 The transport failed to arrive on time. After trying to phone Henry and sending Alan to find him we finally got off at in the Land Rover and sending a car via Promesse.Nirmala Sachdeva and her daughter started today and after introducing her to the other teachers we fixed up the first Sanskrit classes – one of which is after soup ay 11 a.m. for all groups of teachers.

13/1/71 Gangaluxmi and her son Udai started today. Ganga is to teach Sanskrit and Tamil. She will make four groups of students according to the different levels and one combined class for all groups and teachers.Today we broke up the various groups that had formed into too rigid a pattern and split them up with other groups to ensure greater plasticity.

14/1/71 Starting off the Land Rover for the short-cut to Aspiration this morning we missed Ellamma and her brother Lakshmikant (ages 9 and 7 respectively). We set off without them, it being late, and half way along the Muthialpet road we found them walking hand-in-hand in the middle of the road. They were so happy when we pulled up for them to jump in. They had thought we had gone on without them so they intended to walk the five miles to school.

15/1/71 Today was a chapter of accidents. The mini-bus hit a bullock cart and the Land Rover hit a rickshaw. The streets are crowded with holiday-makers celebrating ‘Pongal’, the Tamil harvest festival. May have to arrange for emergency drivers for tomorrow.

16/171 Henry managed to fix us up with drivers. I took the new framed photos of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother and they were installed with flowers on this last day of the harvest festival.I gave the students and teachers the verbal message sent me by the Mother:

“Someone should be with the children at all times not to discourage their spirit of adventure or act as a policeman but to see they do not enter into any danger.”1

The village people cane to the school to invite us all to their harvest festival of the cows. It was a very nice gesture and an interesting experience. Afterwards the villagers visited the school.Alan and André took a batch of 17 children in Physical Education Exercises from 3 to 4. The Promesse children did not want to participate. Perhaps they will soon – If not I may have to insist they take part in this most necessary part in the basis of our educational method.

17/1/71 Christopher will acquaint the A.A.C. with the following points:1. Dangerous conditions of roads2. Need to agree on a budget for the school.3. Electricity – Jean-Claude has estimated for Rs 600/-

I think this is unnecessary – for the temporary building Rs 200/- should be sufficient

4. Enquire into the actual status of Ekhart.18/1/71 I feel that now the time has come to make the Physical-Education compulsory to set the

basis of a discipline for the physical mind. I therefore saw Ekhart and told him to make a programme for the week when all the children can be engaged and as many of the teachers as are available.

1 This message was the result of Shyama (Hero’s mother) complaining to The Mother, through Maggi Lidchi, that the children were allowed to go into the canyon on their own.

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If there were at first those children who declared that they did not want to take part then they must be there and sit and watch the others – but eventually it must be a compulsory programme for all.

19/1/71 I received the week’s programme of physical education from Eckhart. It was all right except for the period for swimming; this will have to be postponed until such time as we can have transport to take the children to the beach.

20/1/71 Ganesh Ramaswamy went to the school this morning and was so taken with the happiness of the children that he offered to go every morning while he is free to teach Tamil - I said he might go and work with Varadarajan.

21/1/71 Alan says the Physical Education has found its form at least in the fact of it being now accepted by the children. It is carried out from 3 to 4 by all or most of the teachers even if the P.E. instructors are not present. Ursula has started with the teachers once more.

22/1/72 Ananda returned and we have to now see to the billing of parents and guardians.Varadarajan and Shyamala brought me The Mother’s answer to starting the new dining-room and serving from the kitchen at the Health Centre – “Sunday 24th”.

23/1/71 It is Indu’s birthday so she came with me to Aspiration to see the school and stayed for the concentration before classes.I informed the students and teachers of the opening of the New Dining-room and kitchen on the 24th, Sunday.I also mentioned the unusual constellation of planets entering the sign Scorpio – i.e. Mars – Jupiter – moon – Venus (Vesta).

24/1/71 Sunday.We took the children from Pondicherry at 10.30 and met the Tamil children at the school – The children from Promesse, however, did not come. We walked over to the Health Centre were teachers and students arranged themselves for lunch with Dr. Sen and two psychiatrist friends of his.The children sang some Sanskrit Hymns and then we had five minutes concentration before Sri Aurobindo and The Mother’s photos. Then lunch was served.

25/1/71 This was the first day when all the children and teachers met in the new dining-room at the Health Centre. It went very well and the children seemed more satisfied with this food. After the meal, however, the main body of teachers disappeared and for some time only Alan was there to look after them. In consequence some fighting broke out between two families – the Promode family and the Varna family. Must see this does not develop into a feud.

26/1/71 In spite of Republic Day holiday all the children elected to come to school. I spoke to the teachers about the necessity of discipline and to the children (the two families) about their fighting.I also arranged with Ganga to concentrate herself alone with the Sanskrit classes. And asked Nirmala to work with Maggy.Got 200 note-books from Arati (S.A.I.C.E.); also Book I (6 copies) and Book II (16 copies) of ‘Reader’.'

27/1/71 Wrote to the Mother re the schoolWent to Aspiration with the children at 8.30 AM and two English ladies: Edith Schnapper and Joy Culvert, the one from Cambridge, the other from Surrey. They were intrigued with the school and its environment.Eckhart does not seem to have done anything to programme the Physical Education yet.

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28/1/71 Harriet Ramsdale came with ne to Aspiration. Alan now has his other cupboard. On looking over the new building now under construction and to be finished – as Roger says – by 28th February,I cannot help feeling that we shall be able to use this building as only one area of work, perhaps for the arts, as it is much too small for all our activities.

29/1/71 Jean-Claude and Maggy asked for Rs 311/- for electric light and Rs 50/- for Educational Materials. Although it seems rather expensive for this temporary thatched-roof school I consider it perhaps cheaper and safer in the long run. The main cost is because of having to put the wires through tubes I think this absolutely necessary to ensure safety against fire. However, Shyam Sunder considers it too expensive so I shall have to take up the matter with the A.A.C. on Sunday.

30/1/71 Alan reports that Most of the children participate in the physical education (mostly games) at the end of the day but it is conducted by most of the regular teachers; Roger and André don’t come nether do they see much of Eckhart.I am having some difficulty in getting any money from the parents and guardians. Indira, guardian of the Varna family now tells me they cannot pay. I cannot but put this to the Committee and see Kireet on his return – 17th?

31/1/71 Met the A.A.C. and got their approval for the Rs 311/- for the electricity wiring. But have to submit a detailed account of the parent/guardian situation by next Sunday.

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February 19711/2/71 Both teachers and students decided that there will be no holiday on the 1st. In fact most

want school on Sundays. Alain takes the Tamil children for Maths on Sundays but we cannot as yet transport the others from Pondicherry. Tanmaya, Kittu and Rathna came with me to see the school today and stayed on till 10.00 A.M.The Australian sculptor William Ricketts has displayed his work in the cafeteria.

2/2/71 Ganga Lakshmi gave me the rest of her Sanskrit Primer. I told her that Eddy will do the illustrations.Told Ananda that something definite has to be worked out for physical education. He has read my AREAS OF WORK memorandum and hopes we shall be able to implement this into our school when we move into the new building – the difficulty will be physical space. It seems only big enough for Art integration and that other buildings will have to be erected for other ‘subjects’ or ‘areas of work’.

3/2/71 After the concentration this morning I spoke to the children and told them that from today physical education would be compulsory. It was quite evident that many of their colds and coughs were a result of no exercise in an organised manner. Neither Varadarajan nor Ganesh were present - so we need another Tamil teacher perhaps to give full time.Eckhart did not come again today.

4/2/71 There is obviously a relaxation in the supervision, especially after the lunch period when the teachers have a tendency to retire to their respective huts, and in consequence the children are left with only Alan and Nirmala who have no hut to go except the school. So this morning I spoke to the teachers about this problem – that it was one which only they could resolve and they should think out some plan whereby the children would have proper supervision and protection.

5/2/71 The Crèche is almost finished. The question arises as to whether it should be the responsibility of the Auroville School or left to the parents in Aspiration to arrange their own administration.

6/2/71 Conferred with Ananda to clarify the financial position of all the children. A final statement was drawn up for presenting the A.A.C. tomorrow.

7/2/71 The prepared statement of accounts and state of parent/guardians who can and cannot pay was presented to the Committee. As Navajata has arrived back no further business was gone into with regard to the recognition of the temporary teachers.

8/2/71 Being asked by the teachers at Aspiration to talk to them I arrived there by 4.00 PM when we assembled in the school. The main purpose of my talk was to delineate the perspective of the school and education at Aspiration in relation to the Ashram and the International Centre of Education and Auroville. Not all the teachers attended but most were fully interested and Johnny Rivers and a friend Andrés were there - Andrés has had experience with educational methods of a very advanced experimental nature – The synthesis of communication of colour to sound to form basis. A very interesting discussion ensued from this comparison of knowledge.

9/2/71 Neither Varadarajan nor Ganesh could go for the Tamil children. It seems necessary to find someone to be regular for Tamil as this language has to be introduced to all students.

10/2/71 Ananda’s birthday – he wanted me to attend a Teachers Meeting but I could not attend as I have a sceptic foot and also my Wednesday class this evening. The main preoccupation of the teachers was how to reconcile discipline and freedom.

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11/2/71 An atmosphere of greater concentration was felt this morning with both teachers and students. I spoke briefly to the teachers about the need for organisation not only for the actual ‘working’ as a community but also for the bare necessity to protect the children.Vincenzo brought a young teacher who wants to work in the school: Clare Louise Fanning (22) – U.S.A. She is interested mainly in physical education and theatre. So here a new element comes into the field of Play.

12/2/71 Saw Shyam Sunder about the teachers and students. He tells me that Peter (Ange’s father) wrote to Mother asking if the Ashram could pay for Ange’s stay in Auroville and Mother replied, “I have nothing to do with this affair” or words to that effect.I did not wish to recognise a difference of wills but it seems now obvious that Rod wants to break up the school into fragments of small groups whereas I have been trying to build up a group consciousness among all the children and the teachers – so wanting to establish areas of work to give the children a sense of security and protection.

13/2/71 I wrote to The Mother giving Her a summary of the situation at Last School and asked if the teachers could use the S.A.I.C.E. library and if I could see Her.

14/2/71 Nolini gave me The Mother’s reply in which she says ‘not possible for teachers to take books and that it is possible after Darshan to see Her.’

15/2/71 Went to Aspiration – Met with Rod; made it clear that I do not approve of the dispersion in the morning as it is necessary to make our own environmental atmosphere in Aspiration and not try to bring it from another part of Auroville. We are in the process of building up a new concept of learning where an initial group security needs to be established.

16/2/71 In spite of my speaking with Rod and his agreeing with me that we have to work together to establish a group consciousness to form our own environmental harmony and thereby plant our ‘grassroots’, he insists in taking the children to other parts of Auroville in the mornings – to the Nursery and the Centre to clean up the Matrimandir – I told him I do not approve of this as it weakens the effort we are trying to make in keeping the teachers and students together, at least for the morning. If excursions are to be made I prefer that they are made in the afternoon'Ananda phoned me this evening and I told him of my feelings about using the children to clean up the Matrimandir – that it was not the business or function of the teachers nor the students to do this work. That there were plenty of people in Auroville doing nothing at all who could be asked to do this work.Ananda and Alan conferred with the other teachers in Aspiration and then Maggy phoned me to say they had all come to an agreement with me that we should all work for a united group consciousness and that this must first be established in the school and Aspiration but that they wanted to also have the freedom to take the children to the Centre and work on the Matrimandir. I said I would leave the question open until I could talk to the teachers in the morning.

17/2/71 On arriving at the office at 8.00 AM I am told that Ananda phoned – at 7.454 AM – to say they had arranged for the big bus to take all the children to the Centre. I was rather surprised as Maggy, last night, had asked me to leave the question open until I could speak to the teachers.Last night I had meditated on this question, searched myself thoroughly for any personal preference, contacted The Mother within to guide me and found only a strong support for keeping the children in Aspiration and not to allow dispersion of any kind for some time. I decided to tell the teachers that – “it is not what I want, and it is not what they want, it is not even what the children want, that matters, but what The Mother wants and The Mother wants what Sri Aurobindo wants.”

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Last School to me means the school where Love, Aspiration, Sincerity, Transformation can be established. But, these attributes have to be established before we can ‘graduate’ to ‘No’ School which then may include the whole of Auroville as a Univers-City or a World University.The freedom that we envisage can only be based upon discipline and this discipline is only possible when we have first found it within ourselves, then by our example passed it on to the children.There is no need to preach these things, they are the basic truths upon which any education has to stand if it is to grow with the needs of evolution and transformation.If the teachers cannot agree with this then we enter a NO WORLD before the No School is ready.If The Mother has seen fit to put me in charge of the organisation of this school then the teachers at least should find enough faith in The Mother’s choice for this work and give it a fair trial. A school, especially this Last school, cannot be built in two months, there is need for much patience, tolerance, perseverance and good will and the faith that Her Will shall be done.

18/2/71 I went with the children in the Land Rover to Aspiration and Svetlana came with us. I told her I was coming specially to talk with the teachers and it would be good if she could take all the children to see the new building of the Last School while I talk with all the teachers after the concentration – she agreed willingly.After the concentration whence I invoked Sri Aurobindo and The Mother’s Presence – through the power of Psychological Perfection – I spoke of this meeting as a crucial moment in the progress of the growth of the school. I used the analogy of a ship in which they, the teachers, are all captains and I am perhaps in the position of a pilot who is called upon when the ship has to go through uncharted seas or difficult passages of its voyage.I then read out what I have written in this journal for the 15th, 16th and 17th instances. I also showed the teachers the little book of Sri Aurobindo’s “The Mother” and said that especially the first nine pages of this book indicate the path we have to take and can be also the answer to all our problems in growing together.I said I did not want to have a discussion around these problems but that any of the teachers could come personally to talk these over with me, or if they felt that they wanted to do something on their own they could write to The Mother.However, I expressed the hope that I had dealt with the major problems with which we had to resolve; I hoped we could now enter a new and clearer atmosphere of communication and understanding.The Silence that followed was intense and redolent with the atmosphere of the Presence of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother and I felt positive that all without exception could feel it in the same intensity of affirmation and confirmation and that no doubt remained in the group consciousness that was built there among us.Our gratitude will be forever there for this very powerful and lovely experience.

19/2/71 Mr. Devi Singhania arrived for Darshan and I arranged with him to visit the school together on Tuesday 23rd. Mr. Singhania (Laxmi’s guardian and uncle) has supplied the school with all our sports equipments.Alan reported that the atmosphere was so beautiful that at the end of the day one felt like lifting off the ground.

20/2/71 I went to Aspiration with the children and after the concentration I spoke to them of the Mother – that tomorrow was Her Birthday and She will give Darshan – For the first time

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I spoke to the Tamil children in Tamil: Naliki Ama Thal, Perriamã Darshan irrikedai. I told the children that they should ask their teachers to tell them about The Mother.

21/2/71 DARSHAN DAYThe Mother’s Message:

“Une vie consacrée à l’union avec le Divin est la seule qui vaille d’être vécue”.“A life consecrated to union with the Divine is the only life worth living.”

The last School in Aspiration is going through a difficult period.1. The teachers are finding it almost impossible to reconcile discipline with freedom.2. There are those in Aspiration who are hostile to the school. On Darshan Day all the

furniture in the school was overturned and drawings torn off the walls. The new shelves for books were torn down.

3. I should perhaps spend more time there but this I find increasingly difficult as the transport situation worsens.

4. The teachers are moving away from the main hut area and into the school area. They have their meals away from the rest of the people in Aspiration.

To NormanLe mieux, toujours, est de rester bien tranquille.My love and blessings are with you.Understand that blessings are for the best spiritual result, not necessarily according to human wishes.Tout dépend de l’intensité de la foi et de la fermeté dans l’attitude vraie.

LA MÈRE19-2-1971

22/2/71 This morning, perhaps because of the aftermath of Darshan Day and the demands made on transport for the Foundation Stone laying at the Matrimandir, there was a mix-up with transport, and we could not get the children to leave for school until after nine o’clock. In consequence I could not go with them.I learnt, however, that some ‘hooligans’ had ransacked the school on Darshan Day while everyone was absent in Pondicherry. The cupboards were overturned and the furniture thrown about in confusion. I must check with Varadarajan about the watchman we are supposed to have there.

23/2/71 Nirmala Sachdeva works with Nava for 10 days. A lapse in discipline seems to have been the reaction after Darshan, and the teachers seem to need ‘reinforcing’ for when it occurs that one or two teachers take the clay off without previous notice to Ananda.Shyam Sunder has posted a notice in Aspiration that Arumugam – the boy who was befriended by a member of Aspiration two years ago; the boy has been giving constant trouble by being encouraged to steal for his parents in the village – to the effect that he is not included on The Mother’s list of people in Auroville.

There is also a notice posted in Aspiration from The Mother, to the effect that those who have been accepted to live in Auroville should give at least 5 hours work every day including Sundays. And that those are Aurovilians who have the Auroville Consciousness and only The Mother can say who is and has this Consciousness.

23/2/71 Saw Ramanathan about the W.C.s at Aspiration – told him to treat this work as top priority as ten people are now living in the school area and this minimum of sanitary arrangement must be there to maintain the health of teachers and children.

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Ananda asked me to try to be there one whole day. I said I would try to manage it on Friday 26th. He tells me that Rod is not taking classes anymore and Gloria only comes at odd times.Sadhana Verma started going to the school today, while Nirmala Sachdeva is working for 10 days with Navajata until Doreen Bell comes back.

25/2/71 Edwin Brush went with Christopher in the Land Rover today to see how he may like to teach there – but I understand he only got to talk with Rod and thereafter seems to have lost interest.Alan felt so constricted that he had to come back from Aspiration. I told him it would be best if he at once wrote to The Mother. I also feel the battle of forces that are going on there and only hope the school nay survive – I intend to spend the whole day there myself if I can tomorrow.

26/2/71 Went with the children in the Land Rover and stayed the whole day. After the concentration I asked the teachers to give Ananda a list of those teachers who can give full time teaching and those who cart only give part time.I arranged that after the first hour which is taken up with groups doing Maths with Alain; Sanskrit with Ganga; Art with Maggie and Ursula, I myself took all the Tamil children for flash card English and Art integration. We would all meet, teachers and students, for an ‘English period’, but where all can participate. It was made effective by taking a picture drawn by one of the Tamil children where all the colours were present, the questioning so took the form of a psychological exposé of each one’s response to colour appreciation. All were fully concentrated – even Rod was there.Sanskrit groups were formed.French songs were sung by all and all went to lunch in an atmosphere of achievement.The lunch was very good, all the children quiet and well behaved.After lunch again we broke up into groups or areas of work. I again took all the Tamilians for Art and English expression but soon all the girls came with their needlework and we had a mixed discussion on many forms of art expression.From 3 to 4 we played games. I was quite physically tired by the end of the day.

27/2/71 Alan still does not feel like going to the school yet – I told him he should not worry but only go when he feels happy to go.I told Navajata yesterday that we needed Nirmala Sachdeva at the school and he has made arrangements for her to resume her duties at school and work for him on her return in the evenings.

28/2/71 Wrote to The Mother about my feelings on the “two camps of consciousness” in Aspiration: 1. The teachers and those who are in sympathy with the coming of the school and 2. The rest of the people in Aspiration not in sympathy and who maintain an attitude of this is our club and it has no rules. This disunity of consciousness creates an undercurrent of tension which the teachers and, now I feel; the children are sensitive to.I try to go to the school as often as possible but this is made very difficult because of the uncertainty of transport.

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March 19711/3/71 Today again the transport was disrupted. We had to wait until after 9.00 AM for the big

bus – this could only take us to the cart track leading west, from the main road, which runs to Aspiration – from there the children and teachers had to walk.Alan is still waiting to hear from Nolini before he resumes work at the school and Ananda was not well today.

2/3/71 Message to Shyam Sunder from The Mother:“There is a Supreme Divinity witness to all our actions and the Day of Consequence will come soon.”

Message to Udar from The Mother:“Each one brings upon himself the consequence of his acts.”

The bus was late again – in fact I had to go myself to the garage to get it started. Apparently there were no drivers. Eventually I got John to drive it; he could only go along the old Madras road and had to leave the teachers and children to walk the rest of the way to Aspiration.Today, Ananda and I finalised with Shyam Sunder and Counouma as to who should bear the expenses of Ange and Timirbaran. Counouma said as they have opted to go outside the ‘limits’ of the Ashram and its school, the Ashram cannot pay. Shyam Sunder then agreed that Auroville will meet the expense.The other’s answer to what should be paid for is as follows: “L’éducation est gratuite mais la nourriture et le transport doivent être payés.”I also spoke with Indira about the Verma family; they must get a note from Shyam Sunder re arrears of payment. I also told her that now Nirmala Sachdeva has come back, it is not necessary for Sadhana to come to the school with the children.

3/3/71 Today also the big bus was used to transport the children, so I could not accompany then to school.Eliane came to ask if we could find some money (Rs. 60/-) for the “Jardin des Enfants". I told her to give Ananda the list of her requirements and we’ll see.Henry Bell came to discuss the transport problems – he suggests using the big bus for the children all the time. I told him I did not like the idea of the children walking every day through the sand and mud. He assures me, however, that a Jeep could be provided for the teachers and I when necessary.

4/3/71 Alan has resumed classes and is now happy that he has finalised things with Nolini.The Landrover is now back in service so the teachers and students do not have to walk from the main road.Ganga luxmi had a good talk with Jaganathji re the Sanskrit Primer and they will work closely together on it.Shyamsunder brought me the message from my letter of the 28th of February about the two camps of consciousness in Aspiration:

“You (he) should rose so high in your consciousness that the opposition is dominated by it. That is the solution.”

I went to Aspiration and took some large sheets of paper (white). After the concentration I spoke to the children about two things:1. that physical exercises is for all compulsory. If Eckhart is not there, Ananda or Alan

will take them for preliminary exercises before games.2. That they must show greater respect and politeness to those serving the lunch in the

Health Centre dining-room.

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The school garden now appears to take a form very pleasing and promises to become quite beautiful.The open entrance on the West side is now closed, which makes possible a more open sided classroom arrangement for Alain’s Maths area. This also gives more light from the East. A much better arrangement.Ananda came to tell me that the teachers are almost all of one accord in wanting to change the school working hours to half-day – that is six hours startling from Pondicherry at 5.30 AM arriving at Aspiration by 6.00 A.M. and after physical exercises breakfast, then work until 12 noon. This seems at first sight an excellent answer to quite a few of our problems such as transport, heat, timings etc., but does it not invite other unknown problems which may grow out of the inactive period front 12.00 o’clock onwards.What are the children to do with themselves after that time? Will their parents be able to get them up by 4.00 A.M. each morning? Will we be able to get say milk from the dining-room? Will the families be able to pay an extra 50 NP for the breakfast? And finally would The Mother approve of what to me looks like succumbing to the exigencies of the climate?

8/3/71 Went to the school at Aspiration with Kameshwar who wanted to see what we had accomplished in 2½ months.He was most impressed and spoke of trying to get a Tamil teacher for us.I spoke to the teachers about the proposal to have school for only half-day – putting forward the two questions which came strongly to me when I meditated on this proposal:1. What will the children do after 12 noon? Will they not tend to sleep, falling into a

state of inconscience?2. Should we be dominated by the climate or should we not dominate the climate?Ananda phoned me to say that the teachers were not able to arrive at a unanimous decision so decided to leave it to see what transpired in the future with regard to whether we could find an answer to the problem of any new timings.

9/3/71 It rained all night and it was problematic whether the transport could convey the children to Aspiration. The drivers, however, assured me that they could make it, so they went.Alan reported this evening that the roads are in a hazardous condition, especially round the ‘short-cut’.I decided not to have school tomorrow if this is the condition.

10/3/71 There was no more rain during the night so it had dried up sufficiently for the Jeep and Landrover to make the trip. I could not go as I had intended because there was no transport back.Wolfgang Maurer (25) who arrived on the 3.12.70 asked to be accepted as a teacher of Handicraft ceramics etc. I have sent his application with a photograph to Shyamsunder.

11/3/71 Could not go again to Aspiration as we had to pack all the children and six teachers into the Landrover.The transport problem is now becoming acute. The safety margin is also now stretched to the limit.If many teachers expect to come on this transport in the morning then some other arrangement will have to be made as the Landrover should not take so many as it did this morning.

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l2/3/71 Went to Aspiration this morning. The concentration is now quite difficult for most with the advent of so many babies from the crèche. They cry and wander about and even relieve themselves on the mats set for the concentration. I suppose we should be patient; all this will change when we go into the new building, which Ramanathan tells me will take about another fifteen days.

13/3/71 Could not go to Aspiration as only the big bus was in use so there was no means of returning.Shyamsunder told me Wolfgang ‘can teach’ says The Mother ‘as long as he is willing to work’. S. said also that if he returns to Germany he should apply from there if he wants to resume his status at Auroville again.Arvind has also reported Maggie as saying The Mother has approved of Peter Heffron teaching at Aspiration. I asked him to get something in writing from Maggie at least.Navajata tells me that Shanti from ‘= 1’ wants to come and teach with us. I believe she is very good with children.Ganga 1uxmi has finished the first part of the Sanskrit Primer and has consulted with Jaganathji.Eddy has finished about 30 pictures for the multi-primer to be used for Tamil, French, Sanskrit and English.

15/3/71 The big bus again was used to take the children to Aspiration. It really is necessary to get Henry bell to cone to some final arrangement as to what can best be done about this transport prob1en.

16/3/71 Al1 the small cars and one big bus are now out of order. Henry thinks it will be a week before they can be repaired.Today the Auroville tailor is going to take measurements of all the teachers and students for P.T. uniforms. The Auroville colour cloth (orange) cannot be found in Pondicherry – It will have to be got in Madras.Jaganath told me today that he end Ganga luxmi have finished the first part of the Sanskrit Primer and are continuing with the rest.

17/3/71 The big bus has its own problems because the children cannot be so easily controlled by the one or two teachers travelling with them. To then (the children) it is a novel playground on wheels.

18/3/71 Today two more children have been admitted: Arun Iyer, 11 yrs, and Raman, 5 yrs. Their mother Suganda is to help Shyamala in the dining-room and teach Tamil in the school.

19/3/71 Henry Bell proposes a new schedule for the Auroville bus service. It means the bus with the students leaving at 7.45 A.M. which seems too early for them to get their breakfast. But I said we will try it to see what transpires. He offered to put a special jeep on for me if I want to go later.

20/2/71 I could not go to Aspiration as I had to be in Pondicherry to receive the students of the World Campus Afloat.Alan tells me that Suganda and her two children who live at Society Guest House do not get their breakfast until 7.30 A.M. Then they have to get a rickshaw to the bus 'How are they to manage?’ I told Alan that this bus trip is first for the school and should wait if the children have not arrived.

22/3/71 Today, Monday, was the first trial for the new schedule of the transport – the bus left at 7.45 A.M. and left also two children behind. I find also that the times are not so good. The bus does not arrive at Aspiration any earlier?

23/3/71 Steve Martin has not been in to consult with me about the transport schedule.

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A new possible teacher arrived in one Steve Phillips but I do not think he can help in any definite way.Ganga Luxmi agrees to give 4 days per week at School.

24/3/71 Steve martin still did not come – spoke to Antoine about the transport difficulties, said I did not think it is working as Henry prowled – The bus starts at 7.45 A.M. but because of so many extra stops only arrives at Aspiration by ten to nine which is really no improvement as far as the school is concerned and it must be remembered that this bus was given for the school. I told Henry I had no objection to it being used for other work also, but its first duty is to serve the school children and teachers.Ananda came and told ne from Shyamsunder that the Verna family have to pay for transport. The Mother insists this must be so.

25/3/71 Stephen M. who is now in charge of transport came to see me about coming to some agreement on schedule. He said he would change slightly the morning time of the bus and would try to fix up a jeep for me two days a week – Tuesdays and Fridays – perhaps the same jeep that take the doctor to the Health Centre.The children wrote ne a note requesting the following items: weights – boxing gloves – punching bag – cricket set – fencing set – ropes - horizontal and parallel bars – trampoline – archery set – football – rugby – tug-of-war. Signed: Héro, Raphael, Arun, Martha, Michael.

26/3/71 Went to Aspiration this morning at 8.40 AM arriving just in time for the meditation.Spent some time with Shashi, Jayshri, Ananda, with their English, went through their work. They have both grown in stature since the school opened. Spent some time with Maggie. (She told me of her meeting with The Mother and The Mother’s decision: “Norman would arrange all this at the right time.”)Héro, Taddy and Renu want a cricket set, a fencing set and an archery set. I asked then who would instruct them or how to use these sports and games. They will think over this and write to me.Alan was well engrossed with the Tamil children, using the forms of elementary logic for language teaching.The W.C.’s are still not ready and the new school building will yet take another three weeks.

27/3/71 Indira, guardian for the Verma family, says she will pay Rs 100/- per month until the whole of transport arrears are paid and also the monthly transport costs. The children will take their own food to school.Indira came again in the evening to say she has decided that she cannot meet the burden of payment even of the transport charges so it is better to take the children away from the school.The Mother: “To work for Auroville is to hasten the Advent of a more harmonious Future.”

29/3/71 Phoned Ananda that the four children of the Verma family would not be coming in future. The Mother’s decision that they should pay at least the transport charges or find schooling in Pondicherry brought this to a head. I asked Ananda if now he could concentrate to bring about a regular rhythm in the physical exercises programme before we enter the new building. I also asked him to submit a new list of students and teachers.

31/3/71 Ananda came with the payment notices for signature and told me that Shyamsunder has put to The Mother Peter Heffron’s application which has been accepted so he can start soon. But he says that Wolfgang is not attending the school so I asked him to send him to me. If he is not going to work then he cannot stay in Aspiration. He also gave me the

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revised list of students and teachers together with the children in the “Jardin des Enfants”.‘Children’s Garden’-

1. Selvi age 6. Valeria2. Shanti 1½ years 7. Jorgan 4 years3. Filaure 8. Rassana4. Benoit age5. Maliga 2½ years

as at 9-3-71

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April 19711/4/71 The Mother’s Message:

“We are at one of these ‘Hours of God’, when the old bases gets shaken and there is a great confusion; but it is a wonderful opportunity for those who want to leap forward, the possibility of progress is exceptional.Will you not be of those who take advantage of it?Let your body be prepared through physical education for this great change!My Blessings to all. The Mother”

Arranged with Ananda for transport tomorrow for me to visit the school.Saw Wolfgang and told him that if he is to remain in Aspiration he has to agree to work.Heard that Nirod took some of his students to Auroville – they saw the school at Aspiration.

2/4/71 Went to Aspiration and arranged with Steven that this once a week should be the minimum. T/ laid on for me and it would be necessary soon for this to be increased to Tuesdays and Fridays.The W.C.’s and bathrooms near the round huts are not yet finished, it will take another 15 days.The books shelves now situated by the south side of the school hut will have to be moved before the April rains or they will all be spoilt.Check with Norman Thomas as to why he has made his office in the store room – forcing a disarray of mats and cushions elsewhere?The flooring has almost been completed in the New Building but the mosaic work in the amphitheatre is not yet finished.Deepshikar came with me today and she wants very much to become a teacher and live in Aspiration.

3/4/71 Medhavrate started the typing of the Sanskrit text of Ganga Luxmi’s Primer. Sutapa has offered to co-operate fully with typing the English text and the transliteration.

4/4/71 I started to make the first draft of a new programme for Areas of Work whereby we can have some disciplined control over progress of learning. I sat down with Alan to endeavour to chalk out groups where students can work together more effectively and harmoniously.We started with a skeleton structure of 4 main areas of work:- Maths- Languages- Earth Sciences- ArtThe grouping of the children had to take into account the present position of language problems – i.e. the Tamil students do not yet know enough French or English to work in those languages in say Maths or Science.

5/4/71 S. Martin and I went through the possibilities of a new bus schedule. Eventually we agreed upon the following:

Bus SchedulePondy Centre Aspiration Centre PondyDepart Arrive 6.15 -- 6.50 7.00 7.45 -- 8.25 8.40 9.3011.30 12.05 12.20 -- 1.10 3.15 3.45 Arr. 4.00 dep. 5.00 5.15 5.45

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This is merely taking advantage of the agreed bus schedule which will serve for all. One jeep would serve the Pondy children now as there are only (7) seven.This will give students and teachers 2hrs 05 minutes break in the middle of the day. It would, however, be preferable to avoid bringing the children back mid-day.

6/4/71 Ananda told ne that all the teachers are agreed on wanting to have these new timings of the school viz: 8.30 AM to 12.30 for the morning and then for the children to return for Physical Education from 4.00 PM to 5.00 PM.I object to the students having to travel for 3 hrs in order to fulfil this schedule. I feel we must find some other solution.Met Shyamsunder in the afternoon and we discussed these various problems, especially of the proposed new timings. He also thinks it is better if the children remain at Aspiration all day and we must find teachers who will be able to stagger the period of after lunch, rest etc.Roger has agreed to put a cover over the amphitheatre as without it this space is wasted.I mentioned also that we urgently need to make a playground even before a new building is started.Shyamsunder asked me to prepare a cost estimate and submit it. He also told me that Vedprakash has started on the furniture for Last School. Although the Opening Date has been proposed for the 24th April, he seems somewhat doubtful whether this will be possible.Shanti, our new teacher from = 1 will be returning in a day or so and we shall meet then to decide our both, Shyamsunder and I, going to Aspiration to deal with these problems.

7/4/71 Ananda phoned to say he had tried to arrange a jeep for me to transport me to Aspiration tomorrow morning. But it was not yet certain. If I came would I bring the new draft of ‘time-table’ and working groups.

8/4/71 The transport, as promised, was not arranged; perhaps because Ananda was preoccupied with organising the picnic to the lake tomorrow and Steven preoccupied with his birthday. He called in to see me.Ganga called and we discussed the new possibilities of a timetable cum grouping of students.I understand there was a general exodus of teachers after the lunch period today. Only Ursula and Alan were there with perhaps Wolfgang in the workshop.

9/4/71 The students and teachers all went on a picnic to the Lake Estate today. Ananda phoned me – said they had had a good day. He has also been conferring with some of the teachers on the new timings. I told him that when Shanti returns Shyamsunder and I will meet with you all and decide the new times possible to the groupings and available teachers.

10/4/71 Ananda came to discuss with me the new timings. I told him Shyamsunder and I will come to Aspiration on Tuesday at 4.00 PM to discuss this matter.Ananda asked The Mother:

1. What do You mean by Last School?- No answer

2. Should we have a holiday on 1st?- “No”.

3. What is the relationship between Last School and the Ashram School?- “None”.

4. What is the place of importance vis-à-vis Last School and Auroville?- No answer

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13/4/71 Arranged with Shyamsunder to leave by 3.40 PM today to go to Aspiration to discuss with the teachers the possible new timings and groupings of students and to see whether the transport arrangements can be improved.Shyamsunder and I arrived at Aspiration and I spoke of the new groupings of students and the welcome of the two new teachers Shanti and Suganda.Shanti will try to organise indoor games and sand boxes for the afternoons. Suganda has agreed to give an extra hour in the afternoon for Tamil. Shyamsunder said he wanted to arrange the transport for the needs of the school – not require the school to have to adjust to the needs of transport – but this may take some time. The teachers all seemed to agree about the effort to make groupings of students who can best work together but there were some unspoken doubts in the minds of a few. An experiment like this, I assured them, can only find its value in the working out of its possibilities. Time and the new environment of the new building would determine its success.Those Present at the meeting were:Shyamsunder, Ananda, Alain, Alan, Eliane & fils, Christopher, Ursula, André (judo), Gérard, Nirmala, Suganda, Ganga Luxmi, Shanti, Wolfgang, Rod.

14/4/71 Met Shyamsunder at Beach Office – we discussed the re-arranging of students to have their breakfast at Auroville dining-room - Ellamma and Lakshmikant – in order for the bus to leave there at 7.15 AM.

15/4/71 Govind introduced me to a Mr. K. E. Prasad and Patricia. His daughter of 18 yrs who is somewhat mentally retarded (she lives in Bangalore) and needs a school atmosphere like last School. As they had a car I took the opportunity to go to Aspiration to show them the school. In the course of conversation about equipment, he offered to pay for two Carame Boards which one teacher said we need immediately. I accepted and will get the boards and take them with me when I go to the teachers meeting tomorrow. Mr. Prasad and his friend Patricia liked the school environment very much.

16/4/71 Went to Aspiration with Shobha in the wagooner. Shobha took a harmonium to teach the children ‘Bande Mataram’.I met the teachers and put to then the need to frame some sort of programme of work on the basis of Areas of Work and the grouping of the children.Ursula seemed the only one who was somewhat opposed to any form of grouping – saying that we should consult the children at to what they wanted to do.I pointed out that when children are under ten years of age they cannot be expected to decide or discriminate on their needs as they have not yet developed this faculty, they rely only on physical and vital impulses. Besides which we have to consider the needs of the children as a whole as well as individuals, i.e. we could not give each individual child the lunch he wants on the days he wants it.- It is to be noted that quite a few of the Western teachers at Aspiration still cling to an elementary idea of ‘freedom’ for the working of the school – not wanting, or perhaps not actually having any experience of discipline, they shy away from any form of it in a working method organised will to work.Perhaps only experience itself will allow them to see any other way than this illusion of freedom based on chaotic impulse and thinking.However, I have to think in terms of the whole school, both teachers and students, and that requires a progress towards a working harmony and the establishment of a group consciousness that will be open to The Mother’s Force.Eventually all the teachers agreed to give the programme of work a try.Then the question of the opening and inauguration of the new building was discussed – at this point Shobha was wanting to return to Pondicherry and as I was wondering what

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to do Dwij phoned me to say he had a car and could he come to see the school. So I was able to send Shobha back in time for her class and also stay and finish the meeting – we decided that all our efforts for the next ten days should be directed at creating a programme depicting our work through the four language s for the inauguration.Teachers present at meeting:Ananda, Alan, Ursula, Rod, Gérard, Christopher, Ganga Luxmi, Nirmala, Shanti, André, Ekhart, Eliane, Wolfgang, Norman.Dwij and Rajesh arrived with Deep bringing the Carame Boards. They looked over the school and I returned in their car by 11.45 AM.

19/4/71 Ananda phoned and told me that the teachers and students had started on the inauguration programme and would I arrange for transport for Shobha tomorrow.Saw Nava in the evening and discussed with him the possibility of getting Radio equipment from EXPERIMETS IN ART AND TECHNOLOGY – (Director Dr Kluver), to set up an Auroville School Radio and Broadcasting station – where we could create programmes using Tamil, French, Sanskrit and English, agriculture, et. al. practical programmes as well as school children broadcasting Sri Aurobindo and The Mother’s works read regularly to the village community centres equipped with receivers. Nava will speak to the Mother about it.

20/4/71 Shobha went to Aspiration at 9.00 AM. Achim Brochaus came to see me about the ‘Lay Out’ possibilities for the Sanskrit Primer – I think we shall have to be satisfied with printing it in only two colours as all the colours will be very expensive, can only be printed on Art paper and cannot be done in Pondicherry.

21/4/71 Achim came again today to say that he had talked with Borun and finds now that all the colours can be printed provided they are in flat colours. He also has an idea to bring the text and pictures together in a sort of a refined cartoon drawing.

23/4/71 Shobha and I should have gone to Aspiration but the transport did not turn up and the phone to 829 (the Beach Office) was out of order. Ananda phoned. I told him he could concentrate on trying to get the children drilled to walk and march in step and time as this Shobha found was a basic need for these children who could not put one step in front of the other in time or with any sense of rhythm. This shows up our weakness in imparting the basic needs of a programme for physical education exercises.

24/4/71 DARSHAN DAYThe Mother’s Message:

“Est-il nécessaire de dire que lorsqu’on est un aspirant à la Vérité, il est indispensable de ne pas dire de mensonges.”“Needless to that those who aspire to Truth must abstain from telling lies.”

I phoned Shyamsunder about the transport for tomorrow. He tells me after meeting Roger and others about the opening of the new building, he cannot see the building being ready before the 1st June. There is stil1 five more weeks work to complete.Roger leaves for Paris on the 4th April, it would be good if he could meet the teachers to discuss some of the practical needs in relation to the architectural structural limitations.Shanti came to see me about her ideas for building a science section. She is also interested in working with the babies. I asked her if she would take charge of getting some order into the care of materials. She said she would be happy to do so.Suganda came to say she wants to leave Aspiration for Pondicherry because of personal, reasons.

27/4/71 Went to Aspiration, as arranged to meet Roger and Shyamsunder on the site of the new building to discuss the furniture needs and book shelves. I was not able to stay longer

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than 10.30 AM as I had to avail myself of the Doctor’s transport and so return with him. I met the teachers, however.I found that Roger had expected me to go in the afternoon.I saw Shyamsunder about applications having given him a note for The Mother.Mother says first can ‘they’ pay. Shyamsunder says the question of selection is left to me and whom I recommend to The Mother will be considered.0n this basis I have told Kireet that I shall have to refuse Kevan for the Auroville school as at the moment I have not the right kind of teacher to deal with such a problem child.

29/4/71 Saw Roger at State House and discussed the plans and models for the two new school buildings. We decided that the 3 pyramid schools would best serve the purposes of a science area and agreed upon where the fixtures and fittings would be best located.

30/4/71 I was to have gone with Shobha to Aspiration today but again the transport was not available.

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May 19711/5/71 Ananda came to tell me that there was a teachers meeting and that the grouping

proposals I had made were read out and that all agreed in the form as here set down. This is a very happy thing to know. It seems at last some sort of shape begins to emerge out of the chaos. There was no ball so exercises were initiated in a formal pattern for P.T. and all the children enjoyed this. So the physical discipline has also begun. This will now form the basis for discipline of the physical mind – the ground discipline for all else.In the new groupings the Guides (Nidarshakas) will act as constant guide and guardian to the children for whom they have taken responsibility – they will be responsible for their well-being, safety, work, play and progress at all times – guiding and stimulating their growth. The students will then go to the other teachers for the special areas of work they wish to pursue.

GROUPINGSNidarshak KASH (Areas of Work)

1. Alan (Savitra) 5 Alain Maths2. Christopher 5 Shanti floating3. Gérard 4 Ganga Sanskrit/Tamil4. Rod 6 Ananda floating5. Ursula 6 Peter Athletics, Creative writing6. Wolfgang 4 Nirmala

Eliane Jardin d’EnfantsStudents: 30

3/5/71 Kiran sent me George Brunet, a young Frenchman who is accepted on probation for Auroville for one month. I have sent him to work with Alain to teach the New Maths. I suggested he works with the Tamil children as he is learning Tamil and they have done very little Maths up to now.

4/5/71 Went to Aspiration with Shobha and Bableshwar. I showed him the new building. Saw Ramanathan and pointed out the urgent need for shelves to be fixed inside the hollow wal1s. All teachers and students joined with Shobha to learn Bande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana. I arranged with Alain to keep a Research Record of the students’ response to the New Maths; especially with reference to the age at which the student shows interest. This in order to have some confirmation of the age the mental mind opens or responds to the stimulation of logic and the New Math reasoning.

5/5/71 Today Wednesday there was a rather heavy storm – actually the edge of a cyclone in the Adamans – which disrupted electric light and power services. Three elements of the roof of the new building were damaged.

6/5/71 Went with Shobha to Aspiration. The damage to the roof of the new building only proves that some sort of supporting frame-work for the polyester elements is necessary.While Shobha was engaged in teaching all the children Bande Mataram I was engaged in trying to find a source of water for preparing the mid-day meal; as all the electricity being cut off there was no water in the cafeteria nor in the Health Centre. Eventually we found that the villagers would allow us to take water from their well. Under such an emergency I thought of doing something about fire-fighting facilities. This has now to be seriously considered.

7/5/71 The Mother approved Surabhi Patel for Auroville School. Wrote to Mrs Peggy Rustomji about her two sons.

10/5/71 Ananda Reddy is sick. I arranged to take over the accounts while he is away.M.L. Bose of Dibrugarh, Assam, made application for his two younger brothers aged 14 and 11 yrs for Auroville School.

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13/5/71 Shyamala and Varadarajan called to say Vijayaluxmi, her sister has just finished her B.A. studies and wants to stay with Shyamala at Aspiration for three clays. She may join the school as a Tamil teacher.

14/5/71 Went to Aspiration with Shobha, Diane and Phil. Shobha continued with teaching the words and music of Bande Mataram. Diane and Phil saw the huts where they will be living and fell in love with them. The new school building is still in process of completion and will take at least another month. Transport is still very uncertain.

15/5/71 Savitra (Alan) told me of the cost of the morning lime juice break. It costs Rs 42/- per week. I think it would be better to get 2 loaves and 20 limes to put on the bus every morning, with a week’s supply of sugar. Perhaps Kishorilal can let us have a metal container.

20/5/71 Letters received from both the Henderson family and Surabhi Patel. They are both to arrive in mid-June. The Henderson probably by the 8th June and Surabhi and her brother Sanjay by 15th June. Accommodation will have to be ready to board then in Aspiration by the second week of June.Tried to arrange for transport through Antoine; Stephan was not at the Office, but could not get any confirmation for tomorrow, for Shobha and I to go to Aspiration

21/5/71 The Mother has given the new school the name:“Aspiration School”

Went to Aspiration with Shobha. She taught music to all the children and visiting teachers from the ‘Demonstration Multipurpose School’ – Regional College of Education, Bhubaneswar, sent by Dr. R.N. Pani. The teachers were: Kumari Bijaya Luxmi Patnaik, Kumari Pratima Mishra, Kumari Balarani Ghosh, Sri Suresh Chandra Pani.While Shobha was engaged with all the children I spoke with all the teachers.Shanti was engaged in experiments with the new science equipment. She needs plastic to make a cover for the balance. (We have spent about Rs 1.000/- for our first Science equipment, at least this is a start)Christopher asked if I would go there one evening to give a talk on the situation in Bangladesh. I said I would if transport could be arranged. We fixed provisionally for next Thursday 27th.

22/5/71 Conferred with Shyamsunder about the applications. The application form was finalised and sent to the printers. We decided that some arrangement must be made to accommodate the new applicants by the first week of June.

25/5/71 Went to Aspiration in the evening 6.00 PM. I spoke with Navadita, Varadarajan and Shyamala that Shyamsunder had agreed to find and sanction the finance for a temporary new kitchen for the school. I had suggested that we use the school building and convert it into half boarding home and half kitchen and use one of the round huts for a science lab after reinforcing it with asbestos lining.After this discussion we had dinner which was followed by a talk I gave to all those present in Aspiration on Bangladesh. This was very well received and Pete drove us home in the waggon; we arrived in Pondy by 9.O0 PM.

27/5/71 Ananda came down to get the payment vouchers signed. Accounts are now in order and up-to-date.

29/5/71 Went to Aspiration; discussed with Ananda, Shanti and others about the possibility of converting at least half of the school building into a boarding with perhaps ten small rooms. One of the round huts could be converted into a science section for Shanti.Ananda is now very concerned about getting some experienced teachers.

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We came back with Shyamsunder, who was at Auroville with Vedaprakash. He gave me The Mother’s Blessings for Seyril’s group in New York. We also discussed the finance needed for the boarding hostel.NIDARSHAKSl. Ananda 2. Rod 3. Gérard

1. Michael 1. Tandapani 1. Renu2. Promode 2. Ravi 2. Martha3. Hero 3. Ramakrishna 3. Raphael4. Arun 4. Arumugam 4. Ange

5. Mahalingam 5. Frederique 6. Pascal

4. Ursula 5. Savitra1. Brigitte 1. Renu P.2. Krishnaraj 2. Ellama3. Timirbaran 3. Anand4. Harikrishna 4. Atamanda5. Gajendran 5. Brahmananda6. Raman 6. Udai7. Chidananda 7. Laxmikant

8. AnjuAREAS OF WORK6. Alain: Maths/French 9. Eliane ..7. Shanti: Science 10. Nirmala .. Jardin des Enfants8. Gangaluxmi: Sanskrit 11. Diane ..

GROUPS FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION5 to 7 years 7 to 9 years 9 to 12 years1. Brigitte 1. Ellama 1. Sashi2. Chitananda 2. Renu 2. Jayshri3. Gajendra 3. Renu P. 3. Satish4. Harikrishna 4. Martha 4. Michael5. Raman 5. Brahmananda 5. Hero6. Udai 6. Anand 6. Promode7. Tinirharan 7. Frederique 7. Tandapani

8. Pascal 8. Ravi9. Taddy 9. Ramakrishna

10. Rafael 10. Atmananda 11. Anju 11. Selva

12. Luxmikant 13. Arun 14. Surabhi 15. Ange

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June 19711/6/71 First galley proofs of new application forms from Borun’s press.2/6/71 Last evening Ananda reported that the division of work among the teachers into

Nidarshikas and Areas of Work is working well. The Physical Education Programme is now fully accepted and all the children enjoy exercises as well as games.Shyamala still wants two ladies to help with the cooking – then she can manage with the existing kitchen arrangements.

3/6/71 Saw Shyamsunder and put him the following points:- Can Shyamala cook in her hut? Yes (temporarily).- Kumar (Tamil boy) and Shatish Gupta accepted? Yes.- New building, when? When elements are ready?- Puka kitchen?- Vacate round huts, when?- Construction of dormitory?- Uniforms? Start today.- Roster of teachers off time.

4/6/71 Went to Aspiration and met with the teachers to discuss the following points:1. How to arrange for lunches until a new kitchen can be built?

- It was agreed that Shyamala would cook in her hut for the time being.2. When we could go into the new building?

- When the polyester elements are in place – with no ceremony'3. When could the round hut be vacated to enable Shanti to move her science equipment

and allow us to begin constructing the dormitory?- Immediately. Varadarajan to see to the contractor, check with Shyamsunder to see

if money is available.4. Uniforms are now to be made by a new tailor.

- Eliane asked if the babies could be included.5. Furniture for New Building?

- Half is completed; Vedaprakash says he now needs paying before he will complete?6/6/71 We (Shyamsunder and I) should have gone to Aspiration this morning to finalise on the

construction work needed to convert the present school building into a hostel. The transport, however, did not arrive.

8/6/71 Went to Aspiration with Shyamsunder and Prabha. Spoke with André V. about building materials problems. Arranged for the construction of 8 to 9 separate rooms for the boarders. Tried to speed up the toilet building in hand. Arranged about the uniforms.On my return Mrs. de Blic, the guardian-mother of Selva was ready with all forms filled in. Arranged for Selva to start going to Aspiration tomorrow 9th June.

9/6/71 Went to Aspiration - however, as the Jeep was 45 min. late Shobha could not be found so we had to go off without her. Dr. Murilleo came, also the tailor and Ambashankar to take the measurement of the teachers and students for uniforms.I went through the English translation of Jaganarth’s Foreword to the Sanskrit Primer. I think it would be good to send this along with pictures and page proofs to Dr. Sharma of the Dept. of Sanskrit (Ministry of Education ), to try to get some Govt. finance for the Primer.

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I decided with Ananda and Shanti on the measures to be taken regarding the re-construction of the boarding arrangements and the shifting of the Science Section to the round hut.Shyamsunder has agreed it would be better to get an independent carpenter to do the work in the round hut.

14/6/71 M. Palit came to discuss the kitchen arrangements in Aspiration and Health Centre. He is eager to make a really good job of the ideal of integrated kitchen arrangement. He is also sensitive to the need for cultural expression in Aspiration.

15/6/71 Went to Aspiration – saw the work started on the rooms for boarding the new students coring at the end of this month. There will probably be 5 students to start with:Surabhi, Sujay, Timirbaran (from Lake Estate), Jehangir & Reshad (accepted by The Mother on the 4/7/71), Ange.Conferred with Ananda and Shanti about school materials immediately needed from the Benefit Performance in New York on 22nd June. (Seyril’s letter dated 10th June).

18/6/71 Went to Aspiration with Sheldon, Angus and Hetty who took video shots of school children and their activities. They made about a half hour tape which we showed to a few people in the S.A.I.C.E. in the afternoon. It was very successful and quite amazed some, including Dwij.The dormitory work is progressing and the taj-toilets very slow. The new building is still in a state of incompleteness and there seems to be 1itt1e prospect of an early entering even next month.

22/6/71 Went to Aspiration with David and a visitor, Mica, from U.P. The dormitory huts are progressing rather slowly. The toilets are not yet finished (even after six months of construction work). The activities of the students has found a firm basis and work is going on very well in the various ‘areas of work’.Shanti has made a good Job of organising the Science Area in one of the round hut and Gérard wants to do something in his area in a similar round hut.The kitchen has sti1l to be properly and finally organised byM. Palit who is still working on lt.

24/6/71 Mr. K.K.Shah, the Madras Governor, visited the Ashram and Auroville. I went to Aspiration at 4.00 PM for 5.00 PM to receive him. His security men, however, did not allow the cars to go beyond Orchard so I met him there, talked with him some time. He promised to come to Aspiration on his next visit.

25/6/71 Went to Aspiration with Sheldon; Shobha was missed. We took some more Video shots of the school. I conferred with Ananda, Shanti and Savitra on the possibility of at least one new round hut for a more substantial Science hut.

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July 19712/7/71 Went to Aspiration with Mrs. Rustonji, Shobha, Sheldon, Biren (gardener). Sheldon

showed the video-tape to teachers and students of Aspiration School and others.Finalised with Ananda about the Boarding facilities, Savitra has offered to take charge of this Hostel.

3/7/71 André phoned to ask about the 25 students from the Tibetan Centre. I told him it was a question of whether the Tibetan Govt. could provide a hostel and teachers. That would be our only problem.Applications:The question of applications i.e. Srivastavas’ three children; Tuju, son of Mr. Wangsa (Ong Kekhin), really depends upon the teacher-situation.

7/7/71 This morning Kiran sent me ‘Ong’ who wishes very much to be part of the school, and Margaret Overton (experience in general teaching from Los Angeles.)Mitch’s two children – Kamala, 4 years, and Nathan, 5 years, have joined Aspiration.

9/7/71 Went to Aspiration with Shobha, Prof. Luxwurm, Katak, Eddy Barios. Margaret 0verton, Darryl Dickie, Mrs. Rustonji, Sheldon, Vijay P., Shyamsunder and Kiran did not come as expected.The toilets for the hostel are ready but no furniture has arrived and this is urgently needed now as we have students waiting to be boarded from the 1st Ju1y.Shobha has now arranged to come regularly and conduct a systematic course in music, rhythm and voice.We sti11 very much need a teacher for Tamil and History and Geography.Dr. Wangsa (Ong Kek Hin) who was a principal of a college in Indonesia will teach English. He is very willing to adapt himself to new ideas.Margaret Overton has had some teaching experience in America: general subjects on the elementary leve1; she will start next Monday.Ananda tells me that the new kitchen facilities will be ready by the 1st August when we can perhaps give some snack at tea-time for the students.Eddy net with Gangaluxmi, and came to agreement on the Sanskrit Primer. Eddy is to make about four more pictures. Hetty gave me the proposed cover design for the Sanskrit Primer.

10/7/71 John Leinan (26) wants to teach at Aspiration. He came to see me today and I was agreeably impressed with his frank simplicity and obvious interest and love for children.

16/7/71 I have been trying for the three last days to get transport for Aspiration, but It was not possible. Today Shyamsunder and I were to go together. I first took the Landrover to Vedprakash’s place to pick up the two cots for the hostel. We had to take them to pieces in order to get then in but I was determined to take them as the transport has been sent for them four times without bringing them. There was, however, no room left to seat Shyamsunder and Kiran so I phoned him we should be going without him this time. Arriving at Aspiration I met Ong who has agreed to formulate an English programme for the older French students. I saw Gangaluxmi and she seemed quite depressed because she had been told by Shyamsunder that there is no money to print the Primer. I wrote a note to Shyamsunder on my return, which was rather in the nature of a prayer, asking for him to seriously consider the question of printing the Primer. He came to see me this evening, about seven o’clock, to tell me that there is now some money so we can print the Sanskrit Primer. This is truly the answer to a prayer.

21/7/71 Today I was to go to Aspiration with Shyamsunder, Kiran, Sheldon, Seyril and Shobha, but Seyril went to The Mother; Sheldon and Shobha could not come, so Shyamsunder,

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Kiran and John came with me. The Mother today approved of Deepshikar to teach at Aspiration.I took quite a lot of felt pens points and paint brushes which Seyril had brought for the school.Now Timirbaran is boarding at the School together with Surabhi and Sunjay.We arranged to have a teachers’ meeting with Roger, Ramanathan and Shyamsunder about the future building requirements, sometime next week. Dr. Ong is now establishing a programme of work for the older students.

24/7/71 Telegram from Films Division of India.Ref. Documentary India UNESCO - Film Division Unit (6) arriving Pondicherry 24 th

afternoon – require transport and accommodation. Arun Choudhuri.25/7/71 Govt. of India, Films Division – Tour of Auroville in order to plan the shooting of a

documentary film ‘India and UNESCO’ for the UNESCO Silver Jubilee, November 4 th

1971, Paris. The film unit consisted of: Arun Kumar choudhuri, M.S .Pendurkar, T.A. Jaganathan, M.S. Patwari, S.S.Pethe.Accompanying them were: Govind of reception, Seyril and myself. We had net Navajata in the morning and made the whole tour of Auroville 1n the afternoon to plan the shooting. While at the new building in Aspiration we met Roger and Ramanathan and there decided on seeing the architectural models the next day at State House, Roger’s office, at 6.00 PM.Today the Mother asked Kireet if I would consider Kevan, Claire Worden’s youngest son for Aspiration school. I told Kireet that this was a difficult problem child and as yet I have not the kind of teachers to deal with him, but if he could give me a written assurance that it is The Mother’s wish for me to take him then I surely will knowing that The Mother’s Force will help this particular problem. I said I would, however, speak to the teachers and get their opinion, but whatever was The Mother’s wish would be accepted.

26/7/71 The Film Division of India worked with Govind in the Auroville Office (Reception) and on the models at Roger’s office, State House.

27/7/71 This morning the F.D.I. went to The Mother at 9.45 AM. We went to Aspiration in the afternoon, took shots of people in the Cafeteria. They were asked to put their shirts on which they did not appreciate very much.

28/7/71 Today F.D.I. went to Aspiration School and took shots of the science hut and all the teachers and students in the new building, the amphitheatre with Shobha singing Anandamaye. They also recorded the children singling Bande Mataram.

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August 19712/8/71 Went to Aspiration School with Deepshikar, Dr. Nipendra and Mrs. Rustonji.

Ganga can get the colour blocks made by her brother-in-law so I suggested that this should be done and Borun can print the text.Shanti is now ready for the move of the science section. So the sooner the two new round huts are erected the better. We can then have room ready for boarding the two Rustomji brothers by the middle of this month.The new toilets are all blocked up and are in a really dreadful condition as the workmen did not clean up after them when they left.We now need a man to keep these things clean constantly. I’m afraid we shall have to employ someone for this work.Accommodation has to be found for Balakrishna.It is also very necessary to find a lady to look after the boarders, especially the litt1e ones.

3/8/71 Wrote to The Mother as to whether we should train the children of Aspiration School ‘to clean the toilets as part of their education in hygiene or should we employ a sweeper.’ The Mother said ‘Yes’ (9/8/71)I also mentioned that now we might need a watchman at night. And there is a need for a lady to look after the children boarders. I also told The Mother about Ananda’s confusion having to take orders about sports equipment and the sports ground from the three people who all call themselves the Director of Physical Education vis. Dick Hawk, Borun and Eckhart, although none of these want to work at a physical education programme.

6/8/71 Went with Shobha, Deepshikar, and Peter Hese to Aspiration. Conferred with Shanti on the science shift. Gérard also wants to remain in the old building when we move to the new.The inauguration has now been differed until sometime after the 23rd.

9/8/71 Mrs. Lois Tukker tour Auroville for first hard information on Auroville especially on the education as data for an article she will write for several American magazines.

11/8/71 Michael K. arrived back from Munich where he has established a friends of Auroville Group.

12/8/71 Meeting in my office at 6.30 PM to discuss the A.R.P. – Auroville rehabilitation Programme. Were present: Mallik, Ramanathan, Roger, Varadarajan, Poppo, Seyril, Dr. Sen and Norman.

Areas of the Report were assigned to!1. Health Centre: Dr. Sen2. Education & Culture: Norman3. Employment: Mallik4. Environmental Studies: PoppoThe Report for Education and Culture was finished and submitted on Tuesday 17 th

August (actually 18th August).13/8/71 Went to Aspiration with Shobha and Seyril, Shanti asked if the teachers and students

could have 14th, the day before Darshan, as holiday, as a Day of Preparation I preferred to call it.

15/8/71 DARSHAN DAY“A veil behind the heart, a lid over the mind divide us from the Divine. Love and devotion rend the veil, in the quietude of the mind the lid thins and vanishes.” Sri Aurobindo

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This morning at 8.00 AM the foundation stone laying ceremony was performed in Aspiration-Auromodel for the new School building to house the library and Information Centre. Those present were: Shanti, Ananda, Ramanathan, Navadita, Vedaprakash, myself and the heads of the contractor’s firm of Patel and Co. The Mother’s music was played to a few minutes meditation. After which the contractors made their usual ground breaking Puja.

21/8/71 Shyamsunder enquired about the regularity and quality of work of Balakrishna. He is a very intelligent boy but also very immature. I feel he should be given a chance to grow.Arumugam is again a problem to be put before The Mother. Rod has expressed a wish to look after this boy, but I have reservations as Rod is often not in his hut at night and can hardly look after others.

24/8/71 The teachers and students were invited by the villagers to attend the Ganesha Puja, which they accepted as an integral part of the life of Auroville.

25/8/71 Shyamsunder and I went to Aspiration. I spoke with most of the teachers and students to try to get a true picture of the complaints about the food situation. I believe that most of the complaining is built out of individual taste. Perhaps there is room for improvement, especially with regard to the protein insufficiency.

27/8/71 Went to Aspiration and stopped over for lunch at the school dining-room at Health Centre. The lunch was quite good, and as far as this day was concerned, quite sufficient. I spoke to Palit and he said he really needs ¼ Rupee more for lunch and 5 np more for tea in order to give extra fruit and some more variety.

28/8/71 Peggy Rustonji arrived with the two boys who will go into the boarding early next week.

31/8/71 Went to Aspirations with Datta, a Dutch teacher and psychiatrist who wants to implement Sri Aurobindo’s psychology in education in Holland, and Kiran Vyas, Tapas and her mother.The room is ready in the round hut for Jehangir and Reshad but no furniture is yet there.Balakrishna is now teaching Tamil to other students besides the Tamil children. He will also teach Tamil to the children of the integrated families – not in the school – at Health Centre, for half an hour a day.Margaret is giving instruction in nutrition. She will also see Palit and discuss a possible programme or display project in the dining-room.

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September 19713/9/71 Went to Aspiration with Shobha. Ananda implored me to do something about Ange as

Nirmala’s husband will not have her in their hut anymore. She (A. ) is constantly teaching dirty habits and speech to the 1ittle ones and several have complained to me about her. As she could go home to her mother in Pondi and come on the bus every day until we decide what to do.The furniture for the two new boarders is still not completed. Ananda will see about organising a class for hygiene and include cleaning of toilets in the programme.Patrice, who is working with Ekhart wants to start a beach excursion class to go out for the whole day. I told Ananda he could do it on the beach day itself which is Friday.Ananda also asked me about whether we were considering any form of ‘holiday break’ in the year. I said I will consult with The Mother.I gave Ananda certificates in Applications Forms for a medical check-up to be made of all the students.Saw Ruth (Ange’s mother) in the evening and told her I had decided to suspend Ange for one month in order that she should come to understand that to go to Aspiration School was a privilege not easy to attain. Ruth agreed that this was necessary and that after one month we would review the situation again and then decide definitely what to do after consulting The Mother.

4/9/71 Shyamsunder spoke to The Mother about Ange and She said: “You may take your own decision. I did not give permission in the first place.”

7/9/71 Went to Aspiration with Mr. Chettiar, President of the First Pestalozzi Children’s Village of India, No 48 Lavelle Rd, Bangalore, and Major Freddy Kanappan i. e. Village and their Lawyer friend Mr. Narahsaya. They asked if we could let them have a teacher. I suggested Balakrishna. He will go to Bangalore as the first exchange teacher. We may send any of our teachers there as a change from time to time. Verified this with Shyamsunder and he agreed that Balakrishna should go right away. He will inform The Mother.

9/9/71 Sandy Mc Afee had an interview with the Auroville Committee: Roger, André, Shyamsunder, and Kiran – which she felt was rather an extraordinary necessity for wanting to become an Aurovilian as it seems not to equate the ideals of Auroville.She told me, however, that at first on arriving here she was very happy to be accepted by The Mother into the Ashram but that now she feels that much of the Ashram represents the past and that her place is to become more fully involved with the Aspiration School which she feels strongly is moving rapidly into the future. She wants to become part of that.

10/9/71 The Mother approved of Balakrishna being sent to the Pestalozzi Village at Bangalore. (s s. 10/9/71)Today, being Friday, Shobha and I did not go to Aspiration as usual, Shobha being ill, the students having arranged to go on an excursion and I having a talk to deliver to the Pennadam Rotary C1ub.The toilets, both Indian and European, are again out of order at Aspiration. We really need a plumber at Aspiration for all the accumulated work now.

14/9/71 Went to Aspiration. Eliane said she had seen Roger and they spoke about building The Golden Ball immediately (but not with pathways on top of walls for visitors to see into – this would be too much like a zoo!) For the tine being we can extend the palisade of the present Jardin des Enfants and put up a temporary shade arrangement.Satadal asked if he could devote one day a week with Arindam Basu on the Youth Camp idea – where he would look after young visitors to the Ashram and Auroville. I

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said yes if he can find a way of integrating this work with his school work – as pointing out the educational example of Aspiration in the light of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother’s views on education.Deepshikar’s room had no mat or cushions. On investigating I found that only four mats are left out of twelve which we first had and all the twenty-five cushions are gone, probably to residents in Aspiration. I asked Savitra to see Prabha and get replacements from Prosperity.I gave Gangaluxmi six Sanskrit readers which I bought from Higgingbottams, Rs 12.50 V.P.P.Aananda is sick, Promode saw him this morning and says he will be back at school in a day or so.We need furniture for the boarding huts. Vedaprakash says he cannot supply any furniture without a requisition from Kiran.

15/9/71 As certain of the new teachers have the habit of smoking in the school huts the students suggested I frame a notice for them, which I did as follows:The students of Aspiration school request that you DO NOT SMOKE in the school Area of Work, because:

1. The Mother does not like it2. We do not like it3. It is a dirty habit4. It is an unhealthy habit5. It is a dangerous habit.

The Students16/9/71 Meeting in my office at Pondicherry to discuss the Kuyliapalayam Report. Those

present were: Roger, Mallik, Seyril, and myself.It was decided to open the report with the psychological note which I had appended to my report on education and culture, to summarise the report into a synthesis of the four reports on Health, Education and Culture, Employment and Environment and to add the individual reports on these subjects as appendixes. It was also decided to break down the original three phase plan to two phases which would entail a five year project rather than one of ten years. The agreement was unanimous.

17/9/71 Went to Aspiration. The furniture for the boarding huts is still not ready; saw Kiran in the afternoon. The roofs are now covered with thatch. I explained to Maggy that it is not possible for her to sleep in the library and give her hut to Thomas; Thomas must wait in Pondicherry until he has The Mother’s approval and until a hut is ready for him and his daughter Miriam.I tentatively made arrangements for a cleaning schedule for the new building and other needs of Aspiration as Roger assures me we shall go into the new building in one week.I have written to Eckhart to try to be present four days per week and to organise a proper physical education programme.

18/9/71 Wrote to The Mother to ask what She wanted us to follow with regard to Annual Holidays.

19/9/71 The Mother’s answer was: we should have an annual arrangement as in the Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education, 1st Nov. to 15th DecIt will actually be 1st Nov. to 14th Dec. and those who want to stay on will be accommodated with extra-curricular programme end excursions organised to their interest.

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21/9/71 Went to Aspiration – told Maggy that Tandapani’s case of being boarded in Aspiration would be considered at the next session, after 15th December.Gordon was told Shyamsunder is trying to find accommodation in Aspiration within a week.Informed teachers about the holiday decision by The Mother. The Jardin des Enfants: work was started on expanding today.Told Gangaluxmi that we shall have to find someone else to do the typing of the manuscript for the Sanskrit Primer as Sutapa does not want to do it now.

24/9/71 Went to Aspiration. Took the Chamber’s Encyclopaedia to Maggy. It is now perhaps tine to consider a more definite programme of work to be set up before the next session. The freedom which the environment offers should be ‘utilised’ in such a way as to keep the children fully occupied. Some means must be found whereby the children do not wander off aimlessly because there is no particular work or project in operation at the moment.Perhaps the Library Area can be used as a general confluence of students when they have nothing else to do. If this can be an established area with this understanding it would be good.

26/9/71 Ananda, Satadal and I met this afternoon to discuss the programme of work to establish while he will be absent from Aspiration having his knee operated on; we decided to try to put into effect right away the suggestion for a Central Study Room for students to go when they have no other work. We decided to have a tutors’ meeting tomorrow morning if I can get transport back to Pondi.Phoned Stephan at Aspiration but he was not available.

27/9/71 Went by the 7.30 but to Aspiration. After the meditation I spoke to the students and teachers on the necessity of bringing about a ‘freedom with discipline’ activity. This would be brought about by having the library as the common study room where students must go when they have no specific work with the tutors. Students must not wander about on their own in future. I also informed all that the Physical Education was compulsory.After this ensemble of students and teachers I met the teachers in another meeting to decide what we should do about the use of the new building.It was of a general opinion: best to have all the arts areas there but only for the general age groups 6 to 10 yrs. and use the arts to teach languages.Maggy suggested we try having a different language each month and speak and ‘teach’ only in that one language for one month. I agreed as I saw that the consensus of opinion was firm at the time, but I felt this would not work out in practice as there are some subjects which do not lend themselves solely to language teaching. Perhaps we will have to modify the suggestion by setting only the language teachers to try this one month idea. I cannot see the benefit of trying to conduct either science or history in every language. I doubt if it would even be feasible to ask the students to speak – say only Tamil among themselves for one month – I remember making this experiment in a Spanish family when I was at the University of Valladolid. We had agreed to speak English on Sundays and French on Mondays and Spanish the other days of the week, but it was often falling in actual practice because of some unforeseen circumstance. Perhaps, however, there is some value in the trying.N.B.Ananda and Deepshikar came in the evening to further discuss this question of using the new building and put forward perhaps a much better suggestion i.e. that we use the new

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building for all older and more serious students from nine onwards and establish a serious programme of work in all areas except science.There are enough place and work areas in the present school areas of work to accommodate all the needs of the younger group from 4 to 9.The new building will then better serve the needs of the older group and their growing aspirations.

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October 19711/10/71 Went to Aspiration with Ajit Bose. Robin is in Jipmer Hospital so I have arranged for

Her son Nicholas to be taken into the Boarding at Aspiration School. Maggy says the teachers want her to act as liaison between the teachers and I.Savitra has now organised for two students to help him in the kitchen for the Cafeteria meals; there are 20 children besides the teachers who eat at the Cafeteria now.I saw Shyamsunder about the New Building. There will be a meeting on Monday the 4 th

at 3.00 m with André, Roger, Shyamsunder and I to discuss this.I saw Kiran and Prabha about the beds add mattresses for the two Kapur children and Nicholas. They promised this furniture for today.On going to the Auroville Cultural Programme I shall take the Kapurs children luggage in the Landrover and such bedding is available.

4/10/71 I sent Balakrishna to speak with Shyamsunder, Balakrishna came back to say that Shyamsunder said he was to work closely with me for the next three months. I will give him work from day to day. He will report at 8.00 AM each morning and 2.00 PM in the afternoon.

6/10/71 OPENING OF LAST SCHOOLWent to Aspiration on the 8.15 bus to help prepare for the occasion.André declared the new building open at 5.30 PM by lighting the 5 wick lamp of inauguration, while Savitra recited the Gayatri Mantra. André then read The Mother’s Message:

“Dans le physique le Divin se manifeste par la Beauté.L’Avenir appartient à ceux qui veulent progresser.Benédictions à ceux qui ont pour devise: “Toujours Mieux”.

Two children then opened the Main Doors and André followed – all the quests then entering behind while Deepshikar sang the OM Anandamaye and the children entered by the opposite door singing the Sanghachhadhwani bringing in the Vedic Fire to set it in the amphitheatre, then Bande Mataram after which I read the Report of the Year, and we ended the ceremony by distributing Prasad.Instructions were given to Savitra that the students should be taken to the new building in groups only and always accompanied by a tutor.LAST SCHOOL – OPENING Programme

1. Sunday: lamp to AndréAndré will light a big 5 wick-lampSatadal: Gayatri MantraRenu: pot with coconutGroup B1: lamp To Sri Aurobindo andGroup B2: lamp (backdoor) The Mother’s photos

2. Entrance of allDeepshikar: OM Anandamaye

3. Sanghachhadhwani: all children4. Hymns in four languages5. Bande Mataram – Meditation6. Report on the Year7. Prasad

7/10/71 Went to Aspiration and made sure that the tutors all understood the necessity of instituting a regularity in discipline with regard the Last School.

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9/10/71 Went to The Mother at 9.00 for 9.30 AM. Birthday Interview: 10.30 to 10.55.Katak asked me to go with him to see a house which we think of taking for the 25 Tibetan children who are to come in December. It is quite big enough but needs a lot of repair and there are no toilets. Perhaps something better can be found.

11/10/71 Auroville Committee at 3.00 PM to discuss the Tibetan application. It was agreed that we accepted them and Katak must make a real effort to obtain transport on time and we will subsidise the food budget to conform with ours and integrate them in our meal arrangement in Aspiration.

12/10/71 Went to Aspiration to check on the actual position of present accommodation as by November we have to find room for more boarders.

15/10/71 Went to Aspiration in the Landrover, Kailas coming with me, but half way along the Mutialpet Road we encountered an accident between two buses which completely blocked the road, so we could not get through. We had therefore back to turn back. I phoned and made sure that the children in the boarding have now enough blankets as it is getting quite cold at night in Aspiration.The children went to the beach in the afternoon.

21/10/71 Savitra came to tell me that Tamil villagers are getting into the last School through the amphitheatre and that they have dirtied the walls and even chipped the paint work in places. We have a watchman at night but there are times during the day when no one is there. Saw Shyamsunder and we decided to erect a bamboo fence around the top of the outside wall and train creepers on it as a temporary measure until the large sliding inner door can be fixed.

22/10/71 Went to Aspiration with Shobha and spoke with Thomas Reed (Bill) about the constructing of the bamboo fence for the last School. They will start as soon as they can get the bamboo.Had to speak to Hero and Michael about their leadership influence on the other children – urged then to think of their responsibility for a creative leadership rather than a destructive one. They were at the same time responsive to my words, but only time will elicit the value of such an appeal to their better nature.I spoke to Nicholas also as he has not attempted to do any study. He says he wants to study but does not know what. I gave him a plan to follow and to report to me next week.

26/10/71 Could not go to Aspiration as there was no transport. Spoke with Deepshikar, Satadal, Maggie re Programme of Work for next year, when they were in Pondicherry.

29/10/71 Went to Aspiration with Ambashankar, Eddy, David, Shaupon and Steve. I called a meeting of the teachers to discuss 1. the new programme of work for next year and 2. the picnic arrangements.

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November 19711/11/71 The Programme of Work with a covering letter was today placed before the mother

which She approved. She spoke to Shyamsunder to some length to the effect that: the teachers have to grow into the needed consciousness, emphasis should be on the actual experiences of work and there should be no difference in the child’s mind between work a.acl play; all should be a joy of interest. It is the teacher’s job to create that interest. If the interest is there the right work will follow.

11/11/71 Richard Oliver from Pensacola Florida (ref . Dr. Klemman) would like to initiate making a Puppet Theatre for Aspiration School. I contacted Jean at Aspiration Workshop and with Vincenzo arranged for the children to have a corner of the workshop for making this as a holiday project.

17/11/71 The teachers and students of Aspiration School went on their first picnic to Satenur Dam and Maharishi’s Ashram. They had a good time but it cost nearly Rs 300/-I went to Aspiration with Mlle Ghislaine, a consultant from UNESCO. I had introduced her to the Educational project of Auromodel and the Kuyliapalayam Report, also the possible project of Aspiration School as a living experiment in International living.

20/11/71 Shyamsunder asked The Mother if the teachers could be received by Her as a group. She has approved this, and we are to go to Her on Monday 22nd November. There will be 20 of us, as per list. The time is to be 9.00 AM after Shyamsunder is finished with the Mother. Went to The Mother: A1ain, Eliane, Shanti, Nirmala, Gordon, Satadal,Deepshikar, Gangaluxmi, Maggy, Thomas, Sandy, Ananta, Cristel, Peter, Renate, Mireille, Shobha, Seyri1, Ahim, Mitch, Norman. The Mother gave us all Blessing Packets.

25/11/71 Went to Aspiration with Dwij, Deepshikar, Dr Dinesh Chandra and Rekha.Ahim has already got the foundations down for the extension of the school but there is some difficulty with the contractor about payment of labour.with Ambashankar for the vacations – the suggested spots for the excursions were: Lake, Bahur Lake, Perimukhal, Satur dam, Chidanbaram, Bird Sanctuary.The programme of work for next year is designed to introduce a more disciplined structure especially in the first two periods of the day. This was felt necessary by all the teachers as we had all grown somewhat into this need.Furthermore we shal1 have over 100 students to deal with next year. We shall need to enlarge the old Building by extending the Science area and library rooms, as well as making some sort of Pandal where the children can play under shade. Shyamsunder will speak to Poppo about this.N.B. I have given Ahim Rs 100/- and Shyamsunder has given 200, up to date.

27/11/71 We held a teacher’s meeting at Aspiration today. Were present: Maggy, Shanti, Deepshikar, Satadal, Alain, Eliane, Cristel, Mitch, Ahim.I put forward the need for a certain structural programme of work, especially for the mornings with which all were in agreement. I emphasised the fact that we wanted full time teachers as only then could we implement the ideal of areas of work to be maintained in progressive perfection.We also talked over the all round need for integration of subjects which charge I had given to Shanti and Ananda. Shanti felt that all the teachers could participate in this to which I agreed but preferring to keep the charge of function with these two teachers.

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December 19716/12/71 This morning Shyamsunder, Shanti, Maggy and I met in SS/ office to discuss the future

policy of Aspiration. The points discussed were:1. No further admissions for the 71/72 session except in extraordinary cases, or for

those students admitted in Auroville itself.2. Changes a) for full boarding in Aspiration

b) for day students Non Aurovillec) for day students Auroville

3. Person to take charge of Aspiration Hostel. I proposed Peggy Rustonji if she agrees. All agreed on this.

4. Finance – collection of dues etc. I proposed Ananda should continue, if not then Maggy will take over this work.

5. Transport – For myself it was agreed that I should go with the Doctor’s jeep on Tuesdays and Fridays and Shyamsunder will try to let me have transport when specially needed. We shall need to transport about 30 to 40 students each day.

6. Budget for 1972 – a rough draft of the budget requirements was submitted. It was agreed that we should have at least Rs 250/ per month for equipment and replacement needs.

7. Shyamsunder stated finally that all school problems should go through Norman.Debit Credit

Loan from Norman’s A/C From Navadita for picnicTo: Ambashankar for Picnic 16/11 Rs 200

16/11 Rs 275 Rec. School ChargesTo: Ahim for construction Subrata Roy Rs 200

15/11 Rs 100 Siddhartha Roy 200 2/12 200 Somnath Bose 13011/12 100 Subrata Chaudhuri 20016/12 112.50 Priyatosh Chatajee 200

Anurag Jhumjhumwala 200To: Shanti (Honesty voucher)

Rs 100Katak introduced me to Dr. Chari, Joint Secretary to the Ministry of Education. It has been agreed that the Govt. of India will finance 10 children of the 25 Tibetan children who were to come originally.

11/12/71 Met Amyo and Ranganath at Press re note books for Aspiration School. For the minimum requirements we need to find Rs 2,000/-

No- 96pp ruled 2,000- 48pp ruled 2,000- 48pp plain 2,000- 200pp bound 200- 48pp 4 lined 500- 48pp ½ sized 400Cost: Paper Rs 1,500

Cover Rs 500

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Met Shyamsunder and discussed:1. Finance – there is none at the moment, we have to carry on loans.2. Boarding – Maggy and 5 students will have a family hut.

Ambashankar will try to arrange for boarding in Pondicherry.3. I have to try to find the Rs 2,000/- for Press from charges received and loan if

possible.4. Shyamsunder has decided that :

a. all school problems teachers have must go through Norman’s office. Norman will refer to SS/-

b. all budget and supplies rust go only through Shanti at Aspiration.Money from Norman’s office. (Shanti is to deal with all purchases for the School).

c. Peggy to be in overall charge of children staying at Aspiration.13/12/71 Provisioned tutors’ meeting in my office at 9.30 AM. Were present: Mark, Heather,

Maggy, Satadal, Deep, Seyril, Gangaluxmi. I conveyed to them the overall policy of ‘Areas of Work’ and Programme of Work to be instituted for next year and that we would finalise the groupings at the General Meeting tomorrow.

14/12/71 General Meeting of tutors at the Last School in Aspiration. I first emphasised the need for a collective effort to work together to take a stride forward this year for a constant progress, in spite of the very real fact of the need for a tightening economy. We can, as a representative body of the world’s educationists, contribute to the world consciousness for better educational results by being conscious of our responsibility for which we aspire.There was a very cooperative atmosphere among all and we quickly decided on the method of grouping and in charge of each group for the opening tomorrow.

14/12/71 I had expected to get enough note books to start the year from Kireet at the Centre of Education as we had arranged last year, but Arati tells me they cannot spare any this year.I went to the Press to see if they could help but Amyo and Ranganath assures me that the only concession they can make is to print the cover and bind the note books, we shall have to pay for the paper. The minimum requirement would cost Rs 2,000/- with no credit as this has to be paid for through the bank.

15/12/71 The opening began with a collective meditation of the entire staff and students in the New Building. After which the 5-8 group remained and the other groups went to their respective areas of work in the newly constructed arrangements in the old building. I went round the various groups and found that the basic difficulty was that the groups will have to be much revised to meet with the needs of language parity. Perhaps crush programmes in the necessary languages will be needed.I went to the Workshop to see Jean and conferred with him about the need to establish a very specific area of work for wood work and other manual instruction. This being an important aspect of the work in Aspiration School. The transport on the first day of school was so heavily packed with workers and others that it left very little place for the students to sit. On the way back to Pondicherry the bus was over an hour late. This was most unfortunate on the first day as both teachers and students had had a long day.Sent Mona the list of names of all the Students in Aspiration School under 18 years of age who are eligible for Christmas presents.

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STUDENTS LIST 1. Surabhi 31. Renu P. 61. Mihira B. 2. Satish P. 32. Bhramara 62. Jahnavi R. 3. Michael A. 33. Rose 63. Dawa Tenzing 4. Jehangir 34. Selva 64. Nawang T. 5. Subratha P. 35. Gopal 65. Lhakpa Norbu 6. Siddharta P. 36. Ramakrishna 66. Phrungtza Wangdn 7. Traves 37. Ravi 67. Chawang Thendip 8. Hillary Bell 38. Somnath 68. Tashi Dolma 9. Shashi P. 39. Brigette 69. Kalsang Choeda10. Jayshri P. 40. Madhabi B. 70. Tenzing11. Sanjib P. 41. Harikrishna 71. Kalsang12. Prakash 42. Mahalingam 72. Chawang13. Vineet 43. Taddy 73. Auroson14. Naveen 44. Rafael 74. Aurokarl15. Reshad 45. Jaideep 75. Graceaurore16. Sunjay 46. Timirbaran 76. Filaure17. Subrata R. 47. Srikant T. 77. Shanti18. Siddharta R. 48. Martha 78. Benoit19. Subrata Ch. 49. Renu 79. Malliga20. Sunita B. 50. Nathan 80. Selvi21. Ardhendu B. 51. Anurag 81. Morgan22. Priyatose Ch. 52. Sravani 82. Kamala23. Hero 53. Sacha E. 83. Uday24. Tandapani 54. Tanya E. 84. Ratana25. Promode 55. Surupa 85. Veleria26. Lukshmikant 56. Emmanuel 86. Tanya2?. Fuju 57. Gajendra 87. Velmurgan28. Nicholas 58. Anju 88. Kyle29. Biswajit P. 59. Mukta R. 89. Aurokumar30. Ellamma 60. Rafaele C.

l7/12/71 Went to Aspiration with the Doctor’s jeep. The roads are very eroded because of the constant rain for the past 8 days.Ananda has had to re-group the students because of the poor quality of language in many of the new students. They know very much less than they claimed to know. I suggested we have a crash programme for at least French and English.Shanti has made some excellent worksheets for experimental science projects, and we talked over the possibility of making individual files for the students to keep a record of their work.Shanti will also see Borun about getting paper to make our own note books. The Press in Pondicherry had quoted us Rs 2,000/- for paper alone.I conferred with Ananda, Gordon and Peggy to re-arrange the hut situation to allow Peggy to move to Aspiration immediately as she will be in overall charge of the boarding requirements. Gordon agreed to change over tomorrow Sat. 18 th and the present state will be:

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2l/1

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21/12/71 Went to Aspiration; introduced Gangaluxmi to Mr. Kamal Banerjee who is going to help to get the Sanskrit Primer published. They will meet at my office on Thursday at 10.30 AM. We settled more definitely the Areas of Work as per the programme. It appears that the new extensions will only just be sufficient for our needs. The new cloth walls are a great improvement.I asked Peggy to make a list of all the immediate requirements and let me or Kiran have it so that all bedding furniture and laundry is organised as soon as possible.I saw Shyamsunder this afternoon. The Mother has given Her Blessings for the New Programme for 1972. I also spoke to him about the present financial position as here stated. He told me to take the Rs 130,/- and he may be able to let me have Rs 400/- in a week or two.Kiran received Rs 300/- from Mr. Kapur for Vineet and Naveen but this is not including Rs 100/- needed for the annual equipment charges.

Debit CreditLoan from Norman School ChargesTo: Ambashankar for Picnic Subrata Roy 20016/11 Rs 275 Siddhartha Roy 200To: Ahim for construction Somnath Bose 13015/11 Rs 100 Subrata Chaudhuri 200 2/12 200 Priyatosh Chatajee 20011/12 100 Anurag Jhumjhumwala 20016/12 112.50To: Shanti (Honesty voucher)

16/12 Rs 100For: Record Player

18/12 Rs 300TOTAL: 1,187.50Held for Jean A/ 300TOTAL: 1,487.50To: Ahim (for cloth)

21/12 Rs 90Balance on loan from Norman: Rs/- 446

31/12/71 Could not go to Aspiration as the driver of the Jeep did not know and was not informed that I had shifted my office.Dawn started to help me with the secretariat work in the Pondicherry Office of Auroville Education.

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January 19721/1/72 Conferred with Ananda about physical education. Ananda and Eckhart do not attend - ?

The dramatics programme should not interfere with the morning programme of work.The Tibetans are causing some difficulty because:1. None of them speak any English, it was stated on some of their application forms

that they could.2. The Lama teacher does not accompany them as contracted with Katak. I told Katak

that unless someone who speaks Tibetan is with then all the time we would have to re-organise the whole aspect of the Tibetan programme. I suggested a crash-programme for English with the help of the older Tibetan students from the Centre of Education.

4/1/72 Went to Aspiration in the Doctor’s jeep. Finalised with Ananda about work-programme and the strictness of not allowing any new applications.Clarified the boarding arrangements and finance with Peggy and we worked out a possibility of English literature with the higher group (The Romantic Period). I will send her books on the Lake Poets etc.Nava has promised Jaideep hot water for his bath. I can hardly approve of this as we badly need more toilets before we spend money on a heating geyser for water. See Shyamsunder and Roger.Eckhart has not been for the physical education programme; neither has Ananta. Fortunately the teachers all take an interest.

7/1/72 Went to Aspiration in the Doctor’s Jeep; we arrived an hour late as Mrs Surya kept us waiting, then had to return for something she forgot, and then went to the shops to buy pulses etc.Don seems to have become very happy working in the science Area and the students are very happy with him. I took a huge moon map and a transistor radio, also some coloured crayons for Ahim.I discussed with Maggy setting up the Dewey system of classification for her books and promised to get the Dewey Book for her.I finalised with Peggy the money for the boarding requirements but she wants to know about the needs for Gordon’s hut.

8/1/72 Made final accounting for Aspiration Boarders to Peggy and Prabha after Surabhi had given ne a cheque for Rs 400/- which is for her and Sunjay plus equipment charges for the year for the two of them.Aspiration Boarding – Dec. 71, Jan. 72No Name of Amount Date Amount Date Equipment

Student to Prabha to Peggy 1. Surabhi 130/- 8/1 20/- 8/1 50/- 2. Sunjay 130/- 8/1 20/- 8/1 50/- 5. Jehangir 130/- 4/1 20/- 4/1 50/- 4. Reshad 130/- 4/1 20/- 4/1 50/- 5. Vineet 130/- 19/12 20/- 6. Naveen 130/- 19/12 20/- 7. Subrata Roy 130/- 1/12 20/- 50/- 8. Siddhartha Roy 130/- 1/12 20/- 31/12 50/- 9. Jaideep 130/- 26/12 20/- 31/12 50/-10. Anurag 130/- 18/12 20/- 31/12 50/-

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11. Subrata Ch. 50/- 8/12 50/-12. Priyatose Ch. 50/- 8/12 50/-13. Tibetans (8) 80/- 31/1214. Somnath Bose 50/- 6/12 50/-15. Rafaele C. 50/- 27/13 50/-

Rs: 1,580 200 600We have a need of clocks in the school. We also need to arrange for a proper dental check up. We need also to have some arrangement to have the children’s hair out. Maggy needs, apart from the Dewey System Book, a Sears list of Subject headings, classified for the library.

11/1/72 Went to Aspiration with the Doctor’s Jeep; took a set of maps for Deepshikar and Shanti for area of work projects.Met Jules on the new building sites. He assures me that the Science School and the library will be finished by August (I think perhaps before) but the Sanskrit School may take longer.The Programme of Work is now well organised and both tutors and students understand what is required of them. There is now an environment of security and an atmosphere in each area of work which clearly manifests the personality of the individual tutor and the students who have helped to create it.

12/1/72 Ananda wanted to get permission for our Aspiration children to attend the film on Mexico Olympics in the Playground. He approached Pranab but he refused to give permission. I therefore wrote to The Mother on this matter.Shyamsunder thought it best not to press the matter with The Mother. However it now appears that Madhev refuses to sign the passes for the children. So we have decided to have our own film show at Aspiration on Saturdays and we shall invite all the Ashram persons who wish to come.Mrs M. Smithwhite from London, a biologist, came to see me with regard to her new method of teaching biology and sex education. We had an interesting dialogue entering into the future possibilities of Sri Aurobindo’s psycho-philosophy in education.Her anatomical doll material may have a world-wide interest and if successful she has al-located 10% of the profits to Auroville Education.NB - This, however, did not materialise.

14/1/72 Went to Aspiration with Mrs Smithwhite who has invented a special educational material for biology and especially for sex education. She saw the school and took photographs.There was also a so-called Maths professor from Gujarat whom Vijay Poddar introduced. He at least amused the children with his magic of numbers, but most of the older students caught him out in quite a few errors and fumblings and got him completely flummoxed with concepts of the New Math.

18/1/72 Went to Aspiration. There is a problem in the Jardin des Enfants. It has now three groups. The babies of the first group interfere with the other groups so we need to separate then and have a crèche for babies isolated within the Jardin des Enfants. We also need another person to take charge of this. It is obviously too much for Eliane, Nirmala and Heather to manage and obviously too long for these little ones to remain occupied all day up to five o’clock.Jardin des Enfants: No Group 1. 1 year 7Group 2. 2 – 3 9Group 3. 4 – 5 9

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25The community kitchen also needs more help and also someone who speaks Tamil as there seems to be no communication between the ladies from the Ashram and the Tamil workers. The sanitary conditions are not good. There is still no drinking water. I will see if enough can be boiled for this. The washing up water is seldom clear. There is no dustbin and babies of the workers are allowed to mess in the cooking area. I have informed Prabha of this.Wrote a memo to Shyamsunder to keep him up to date on the above situation. We need:

a) Someone to constantly supervise the kitchen who is capable.b) Another person to help, especially with the 1st Group (babies) in the Jardin des

Enfants.21/1/72 Went to Aspiration with Mrs Smithwhite. She took photographs of the school

buildings. Books given by the Staff and Girls of Maud Allan School, Littlehampton, England, ‘looking at Nature’ and Beauty without Cruelty gave ‘The Scented Wild Flowers of Britain’.Shanti said she will confer with me about her equipment needs. I told her we have only a limited amount and have to be careful for some time.

24/1/72 Went to Aspiration. There still seems to be no possibility for a water filter in the kitchen. I shall investigate. Dr. Kamal says she is not given the key to the Dispensary after 11.00 AM so cannot cope with emergency cases either in the school or Aspiration. I will see Dr Sen. One of the children had been eating some strange berries and got sick. Had to be taken to Jipmer eventually.There are only 3 ladies and 2 cooks to prepare for 550 meals (the village women do not help much with the work and need constant supervision).It was decided with Shyamsunder that in future Prabha would receive Rs 105/- for meals from the boarding children, and I would arrange with Peggy to organise the Prosperity and other needs including laundry for which we can employ two village women.N.B. - Dr Kamal could start a clinic in her hut; cost would be:

furniture 2,000Medication 500Fittings 500

Rs 3,000STUDENTS LIVING IN AUROVILLE … 5/1/72. Student is in “Student’s Account” 1. Claire 21. Anju . 2. Patrick 22. Filauri . 3. Françoise 23. Maliga . 4. Hero . (Auroson’s Home) 24. Selvi . 5. Taddy . (Auroson’s Home) 25. Morgan . 6. Renu . (Auroson’s Home) 26. Ratana . 7. Brigette (Auroson’s Home) 27. Veleria . 8. Auroson (Auroson’s Home) 28. Tanya H. . 9. Fuju . (Orchard) 29. Velmurgan .10. Rafael (Orchard) 30. Ky1e .11.Shanti . (Orchard) 31. Aghappan12. Surupa . 32. Elumalai

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13. Sravani. . 33. Sekar14. Sunita B. . 34. Rajaveni15. Ardhendu B. . 35. Sivakami16. Gopal . 36. Rose .17. Ramakrishna . 37. Miriam18. Mashabi . 38. Aurokarl .19. Harikrishna . 39. Ravi .20. Mahalingan .

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February 19721/2/72 I was to have helped Deepshikhar to select music for Seyril’s dramatic programme of

Katha Upanishad – and to have met Peggy to give her Reshad’s birthday slip to go to The Mother – but Deepshikhar was late and Rajesh was there and I had a strong inner call to go to Aspiration.The call was evident when I arrived as there was a considerable disharmony between E. and N. and E. was not there again. The practical difficulty is the needed separation of the one year old into a crèche of their own and the difference in outlook between E. and N. However, after I suggested taking away the four year olds and transferring them to the Last School, they pleaded with ne to leave them in the Kindergarten and they would try to find a new harmony.I took the Philips tape recorder and six tapes and gave them to Shanti.As Gangaluxmi is away sick the children arranged a programme of songs in many languages, magic and mime etc., instead of the usual Tuesday Tamil for all period.I net Dr Kamal and she is going ahead with getting the cards printed to keep records of a medical anti dental check-up.Aspiration Boarding Fees – Paid to PrabhaNos 3 to 10 @ 105 - 11 to 12 @ 50 - 13 (10) 10 @ 200 - 14 & 16 @ 50

Rs 1,2404/2/72 Went to Aspiration, took books for Maggy and a microphone for Shanti, who showed

me her correspondence with The Mother about the School. Arranged with Dr Kamal about the cards for medical check-up and with Robert for the dental one.The organisation of work seems now to be fairly well established and the children obviously prefer the sense of security which this afford.The Physical Education is now quite well disciplined and shows a marked improvement on even a month ago’s performance.

8/2/72 Went to Aspiration; conferred with Ananda re Patrick’s programme of work. I agreed to give them one oral class on Fridays for English.Peggy, Deepshikhar and I met to discuss the possibility of finalising some arrangement for the Boarding students ‘Austerity’ and if some extra non-vegetarian food can be supplied.Told Ananda about the arrangement for the Saturday film. The children will remain in Aspiration where they will have their dinner and be brought back to Pondi after the film show, wither in the Landrover or the blue van.I spoke strongly to Katak about the imperative need to have one Tibetan teacher responsible for the children with them every day until such time as they can be safely left to themselves. The case of one of the little ones running in front of the bus and sustaining a head injury has to be taken as a warning.

15/2/72 Went to Aspiration – Peggy says that Aspiration will soon have its own washing machine and they will set aside one day per week for the school boarders.Saw Dr. Kamal and she is going to try to set up an emergency dispensary in her hut; she needs about Rs 50/- worth of books to teach the students simple physiology and anatomy hygiene and sanitation.Katak arranged for a car to take me to the Tibetan New Year meditation.

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17/2/72 Went to Aspiration to record for A.I.R. for a programme which Seyril has co-ordinated for Auroville. Dr Madhuseda Reddy, Dr Chamanlal, Ramanathan, Dayanand and Norman recorded on the spot: agriculture, construction and architecture, meteorological and environmental studies, and the Aspiration School and educational research for the future. Dr M. Reddy acted as interviewer posing the questions. The School children sang songs for background music.

21/2/72 DARSHAN DAYAll the Aspiration students and teachers came down to Pondicherry and met at Society Office at Beach Road for morning meditation with the New Year music. After which we took then to join the line of school children at the Ashram to go up to Sri Aurobindo’s room.

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March 19723/3/72 Today all Students and teachers assembled at the Beach Office in Pondicherry to go on

a picnic to Nandanam Gardens.5/3/72 Shyamala brought me the list of children now waiting to enter Aspiration School from

the village workers and integrated families.Village workers and integrated families whose children have opted for Aspiration:A - Approved by the MotherI - Integrated familyGROUP 3 to 6 Group 6 to 8 Group 8 and above 1. Kamala 12. Gunaseelan A/ 20. Seethalaxmi 2. Dayanidhi 13. Bhoominathan 2l. Gajalaxmi 3. Mani 14. Raju 22. Suseela 4. Adilaxmi A/I 15. Gnanasekar 23. Mohana 5. Selvi 16. Pottukanni 24. Azhagappam 6. Radhakrishnan 17. Sengalathan 25. Elumalai 7. Vasugi 18. Laxman 26. Sekar 8. Ezhilarasi 19. Raman 9. Selvam10. Murugesan11. Jayanthi

7/3/72 Went to Aspiration. Cristel requires more money for the crèche within the Jardin des Enfants. Shanti needs money for the new interest in photography. The new Play Area is almost finished behind the history room.

10/3/72 Went to Aspiration. Gave Cristel Rs 120/- and Shanti Rs 100/- from Peggy’s account.The whole of Aspiration years a sad look this morning because the fierce fire that gutted the Aspiration workshops and garage on Tuesday last.The Mother said: “How can my protection be received when there is always quarrelling and no harmony in Aspiration.”Paid to Prabha:Rs 1,560 Peggy

350 Peggy 120 Maintenance

2,03014/3/72 Sent the four pro-forma reports to Dr. Malcolm S. Adiseshiah viz.:

1. Educational Research2. Environmental Studies3. Hydrogeology4. Cultural Studies

together with the report on the Kuyliapalayan Village Development.Went to Aspiration. I took Ananda’s class in English, but on an inspiration brought up the question of man’s four minds in relation to the change in the glandular structure during adolescence.Assured Dr Kamal that she may practise freely in Aspiration and can get the cards printed for the medical check-up.Today I gave Cristel Rs 120/- and Shanti Rs 100/- for construction of crèche in Le Jardin des Enfants and for photographic chemicals respectively.

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15/3/72 Dr Adiseshiah is interested that we send him a seminar summary of the Village Development Report on Kuyliapalayan. Saw Shyamsunder and he approves that we do something about a feasibility study with teachers and senior students of the Aspiration School.Did not go to Aspiration – awaiting reply to my letter to The Mother.The Mother replied to my letter the same day as follows:

Norman, You will continue to go to Aspiration as at present.Shanti is always there and you can advise her. Also Ananda. Besides the work you are doing at for the Aspiration School and Sri Aurobindo Society is useful. BlessingsThe Mother

21/3/72 Did not arrive at Aspiration until 9.50 AM because the Doctor’s jeep had first to drop Dr Sen at the hospital then do several errands for Mrs Surya before we eventually set off for Aspiration. Likewise Sukania and I had to wait until 12.15 PM before the jeep picked us up to return to Pondicherry. I later mentioned this to Shyamsunder and arranged with Stephen that when the Doctors are going to be late the jeep should pick up Sukania and I, and such teachers who have to come to Pondicherry, at 11.00 AM and make two trips.

24/3/72 Did not go to Aspiration as the jeep failed to call for me. I heard that the new driver did not know and the Doctor’s people did not tell him.

28/3/72 Went to Aspiration. Made a story recording for Shanti’s class who were busy using recording apparatus to make their own tape in the science lab.Talked in Deepshikhar’s class on the comparative study of Harrapa and Mohenjo Daro and the Mesopotamia civilisations with that of the Chinese. Some interesting questions arose.The Jeep came on time and Sukania and all of us arrived in time for lunch.Went to Aspiration with Prof. Newcombe and his wife. Prof. Newcombe is the UN city planning consultant who is setting up a planning committee for Auroville and advising on urban and rural planning.They were most impressed with what we are attempting in education and consider it necessary that I join the Planning Committee.

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April 19724/4/72 The World University Afloat arrived for a two day stay. Eleven in one group and five in

another.6/4/72 Met Gérard at Orchard, had dinner with him at Promesse and the night in Ananda’s hut

in Aspiration.7/4/72 Breakfast in Aspiration. The jeep had failed to call for Sukania so there was no Tamil

class for the two older groups. Palit had asked Krishaveni to work with him. I met him this morning and expressed my displeasure at this move as I had not been consulted. I told him that Krishnaveni would have to continue until such time as we get another Tamil teacher for the young ones. Shanti will go to Bangalore as soon as we have enough money to buy equipment for the New Science building. Anita wants to take her classes in Uti1ity, but I don’t think this will be possible and still maintain the work programme for other class timings.

11/4/72 Did not go to Aspiration. Planning Group in afternoon. Spoke to Borun, Dick, Ekhart about making Football pitch, Cricket and Hockey pitch surrounded by a cinder track for running. Mr Bhajava will help take group activities on Mondays and Wednesdays.

14/4/72 Went to Aspiration. Shanti says there is no trace of the water filter which our engineer Aurora sent to André V. or Shanti.Anita wants to take her classes in Utility still but I do not think this is good.I asked Ananda to frame a programme for the Last School people. This is now badly needed.

18/4/72 Went to Aspiration very late as the Dr’s Jeep had first to wait half an hour for Dr Sen, then take him to the hospital after which we had to wait for Mrs Surya and then go to pick up Sukania.I told Deepshikhar we can now afford to buy needlework threads, frames, and points as she wants to start some art classes for the young groups.

21/4/72 Went to Aspiration. Shanti says she still has not received the filter. It was Shatish’s birthday and Ananda had taken him to Pondy, so I could not finalise priorities for what need to purchase.

25/4/72 Arrived in Aspiration at 9.30 AM. Ananda met me to talk on the present shortage of teachers and how to deal with this problem. I reminded him of how it was managed in the S.A.I.C.E. years ago when we had 30/40 in a class at times.The question then arises on space – to revert for the time being to classroom instead of areas of work which I do not like at all.However the problem was perhaps resolved by coming into contact with another problem viz. the problem of discipline and organisation in the Last School where Thomas says it is now agreed that the ‘open’ school environment is not conducive to order in children of this age group (5 to 8); so it is now suggested that we change over and bring the 5 to 8 group of Last School back to the smaller space areas of the old school buildings where they may feel a sense of security, and the older students move to the Last School where we can then establish at least four areas of work which can flow into each other and where silence should be maintained if this method is to work successfully.It has been decided to hold a teachers meeting on Sunday 30 th April to establish this new move. Shyamsunder has been invited to attend as he will be in Aspiration. The time for the meeting has been suggested for 6.30 PM after which there is a supper-reading of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother on Education, a new feature sponsored by Seyril for the Cultural Centre.The water filter is with André V. and not yet installed - ?

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Last School Areas of Work :1. French 2. Maths 3. Sanskrit 4. English

28/4/72 The Doctor’s jeep was cancelled but Dick Hawk offered to give me a lift in his taxi. However before the taxi arrived another jeep arrived and we made use of that.We arrived late and without Sukania so there were no Tamil classes this morning. Talked over the meeting possibilities for Sunday. Shyamsunder will be there but he will not stay to the supper as he is not well.Someone must take charge of the cleaning of the Last School and a proper watchman posted.The two problems i.e. not enough teachers for the older students and too open a space (in the Last School) for the younger children may both contribute to solve themselves.

30/4/72 SUNDAYA teachers meeting was held at 6.30 PM in the Last School in Aspiration. 21 teachers were present and Shyamsunder and Norman.Norman opened the meeting with the following observations:When the Mother initiated Aspiration School there was a two-fold need, one practicable, the other psychological:1. a) to answer the need to take care of the Auroville children, including those of the

integrated families.b) to establish a basis for the future Education of Auroville.

2. Psychologically the school also answers the need to establish the future group-consciousness so necessary to meet the ideals of Auroville.

Some form of a community centre should be established. I suggested the Mandala building be used for this.We are perhaps just beginning to realise this group-consciousness need through the understanding that is growing between students and teachers, which in many cases manifests as a love that has flowered so beautifully these last few months.The next step in our evolution seems to require a change which is showing itself as presenting two problems. The first of these problems is with the older groups of students. Because of a lack of teachers we need to engage in larger groups or several groups taken together and for that we need a larger space for areas of work.The second problem arises out of the recognition, by the teachers of the Last School, for a need to establish some form of discipline and sense of unity in work for the younger children. For this smaller areas of work might be conducive to concentration for these younger students and give them a greater sense of closer security in work.This meeting was called with the object of seeing whether these two problems could resolve each other. Towards this aim Ananda has worked out a programme of work for the older students to occupy the space in the Last School and suggest work areas for the younger students in the old school.Thomas spoke and seemed to doubt whether making this change would solve the problem but now feels that Norman should deal with the problem of the younger children. Sandy made the observation that Norman hardly ever comes to the Last school. Norman replied that she could answer that question within herself - (these teachers had from the beginning wanted to be left alone and Sandy seemed to resent intrusion most). Maggy said that perhaps Norman should tell them what to do, not as a dictator but as one who can guide. She also said that if a change has to be made it has to come within each individual as a dedication then only the group may benefit.

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Shyamsunder quietly ended the meeting with a summing up of the situation saying that those teachers of the Last school should sit together to try to resolve their problem then put it to the whole group of teachers. Nothing much can come out of constant meetings if only personal opinions and expressions of ego are voiced.As for the group-consciousness it may be a good thing if the teachers choose a place and time to meditate, say once a week. If they so decide he could put it before the Mother. After some discussion on this it was decided that all the teachers would meet half an hour before the children arrived each morning and the children could then start their day by entering into a quiet, meditative atmosphere.

Were present:Shyamsunder Alain . Maggy .Shatadol . André (judo) . Norman .Gordon . Eliane . Ahim .(Jane) Cristel . Peggy .Thomas . Shanti . Lidi .Gangaluxmi . Deepshikhar . Ananda .Krishnaveni . Renate . M. ChernetTraves . Mireille . SeyrilKay . Sandy .. Teachers

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May 19722/5/72 Went to Aspiration. Conferred with Ananda on the new programme arrangement with

an endeavour to get more space. With the help of some of the low furniture from Last School we may manage to have a multi-purpose area of work if silence can be observed.Went to work at Matrimandir 8.00 PM to 4.00.AM. Stayed with Ananda at Aspiration over night.

5/5/72 Went to Aspiration in the Doctor’s jeep; took the boxes for Shanti and Ananda’s book shelves. I had an extraordinary experience while in the jeep of standing in front of the Mother’s photograph with Ananda standing also with bowed head just in front outlined against the edge of the photo. I went to his hut and found him standing exactly like that. I had a very intimate talk with him which brought us very close together inwardly. A very happy experience.

6/5/72 Peggy came down to go to the Savitri meditation and confirmed her intention to shift with the two boys to Pondicherry. There is a Gujarati lady, Anantaben who will take her place. We can shift Anand and Hero into Peggy’s hut and Priytosh and Subrata Chaudhuri can come into the round hut. We should confer all together on this.

8/5/72 Ananda came to fetch me to Aspiration for a meeting with shanty, Peggy, Deepshikhar, Ananda, myself, to discuss the boarding situation when Peggy come down to Pondicherry.It was felt that Anantaben would not be agreeable to reside in Aspiration and do the chores that Peggy was doing as Ananta is talking of needing servants to do the work. Our other alternative was to ask Surabhi if she would be willing to take on this responsibility.After the first non-vegetarian dinner in Anil’s hut which Deep cooked, I spoke to Surabhi and she has agreed to do this work and we shall all join together to give her all the help she needs. The dinner, I felt, was not a success.I had joined in the physical education programme for the first time and all the instructors were present. One new helper, Bernard, a friend of Eckhart was in charge of football and got quite rough with one of the children bouncing the ball on his head as a punishment for letting a goal through. I had to remind him that in this school we do not resort to any form of punishment for any reason whatever. I slept this night in Aspiration in Ananda’s hut.

9/5/72 At Aspiration. This morning I saw that the Landrover had brought the boxes I had had made for book shelves.

12/5/72 I arranged with Ananda to take the first class in Sri Aurobindo’s Plays with the older students next Friday when I come.I returned early to Pondicherry in Borun’s jeep at 10.15 AM.Went to Aspiration and took the first class in Sri Aurobindo’s Plays. The students were: Satish, Traves and Surabhi; and we began with ‘Perseus the Deliverer’. I gave them the Greek mythological background and directed them to do some research on this. We discussed with Sri Aurobindo had chosen this Elizabethan model on which to base the Greek myth.

16/5/72 Did not go to Aspiration - too many appointments in Pondy. And I had to finish a) the article for World Union, ‘Who is the Problem Child?’ and b) finish the report on Auroville Education for Navajata to take to UNESCO in Paris.

19/5/72 Went to Aspiration and took the drama class – continuing Perseus. Gave Cristel Rs 60/- for the crèche.On the 15th Surabhi took over the charge of the Aspiration Boarding responsibilities.

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Ananda says that the Physical Education Programme starting at 3.45 in the afternoon is becoming very difficult because of the heat.I spoke with Shyamsunder on this matter and he pointed out that we cannot do anything about the transport change because of the workers. The only possible solutions seem to be either:a) We have the P.E. programme later only for those in boarding in Aspiration and

living there – with the hope that one day all the students will be boarded in Aspiration.

b) Try to work out a way to have the programme in the first period of the morning - keeping in mind that this is the important basis of our system of education upon which all the discipline is to be founded.

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June 19722/6/72 Went to Aspiration; took Mrs Caroline de Beaurepaire – a friend of Roger’s who is

interested in Education. We had some trouble with the Doctor’s Jeep, crowding in so that Dr Surya got quite disgusted and decided not to come. Mrs Surya told Sukania she should go by bus, but Sukania replied that she had Shyamsunder’s and my permission to come to this Jeep.I took my class of ‘Perseus the Deliverer’.I shall see Shyamsunder again about this transport question.

5/6/72 The bus has eventually broken down, as was perhaps expected. It has been much overloaded with the Ashram people going to work at Matrimandir every night. On these roads it could not last at that demand for very long. So today we crowded all the children into Katak’s waggon. We have to now organise some possible alternative to the bus.

6/6/72 Went to Aspiration in the Dr’s jeep. It has now been made clear that this jeep is as much an education jeep as it is a doctors’ jeep. Shyamsunder so informed Dr Sen. There was some altercation over this.The bus is not yet repaired so the children from Pondicherry went in Katak’s waggon, some had to stay behind.Ananda showed me the two first volumes English Readers. They were quite well thought out but as usual very English in experience situation wise. However I told him he can buy the number he needs for the first two classes i.e. Shotodal’s and his.Dr Kamal requires urgently an adult weighing machine and an oxygen cylinder for medical purposes.

7/6/72 Again today the waggon had to take the Pondy children but made two trips, the second trip leaving at 8.15 AM.

9/6/72 Went to Aspiration – had a long talk with Ananda re organisation. We agreed to meet regularly with Shyamsunder every Wednesday at 2.00 PM with Shanti.We took the class for ‘Perseus’.Met with Shyamsunder in the afternoon together with Gérard, Michael (garage), Patnaik and myself to discuss transport.It was agreed that I should drive the ‘Dr’s jeep’ on Tuesdays and Fridays and that it will make only one trip in spite of what the doctors feel they need.I applied for a driving licence.

13/6/72 I drove the Jeep to Aspiration – the doctors concurred, all was well. I continued my class of Perseus with Surabhi, Satish and Traves.

14/6/72 Meeting16/6/72 Drove the jeep to Aspiration. Took some art materials for Shanti. Many teachers were

absent so I took two periods in the language hall myself.Ananda went to The Mother.We have 7 Tibetan students in the nursing home and 10 or 12 other students either sick or absent. The heat has been exceptional this year.

17/6/72 Devi Prasad had come to me to ask if some young people from the S.A.I.C.E. could meet some young people in Auroville to arrange a musical programme. I thought this would be a good idea so they approached Ananda to arrange a programme for this Saturday. When we all arrived in Aspiration I found they had invited some outside people unknown to anybody. However, the whole programme went off all right and I closed the session at 10.20 PM. explaining that we were committed to transport agreements, but Hetty spoke into the mike and invited those who wanted to stay could

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do so. I could not agree to this as it would upset all the transport facilities for a future occasion – nevertheless they started playing pop music and some started dancing. I told Ananda we would have to stop this and we went to the electrical wire connection and disconnected the electricity and they were plunged into darkness and were soon pleading for light to pack up their equipment which was electronic and quite considerable.I heard next morning that Hetty and Angus took some of the young people to the Last School and proceeded to have a ‘jam session’ there. This was later reported to the Mother through Madhav who came to me to get the true story.

20/6/72 Went to Aspiration. Conferred with Shraddhavan (Maggy’s new name) about selecting books and making our own classification for the library.Told Ananda that a notice should be put up regarding permission to use the Last School at night.Shanti is now somewhat relieved by Sailen who will go to Aspiration four days a week, and she can now start the re-organisation of the Last School environment and work. Sallen wrote to The Mother to ask if he could work in Aspiration when the Ecole d’Attente finishes in October, and in the meantime he would come once or twice a week. The Mother said “bien”.It seems that the Tibetan lama is not yet going regularly.I arranged for Ananda to go to Madras to follow up letters I had written to the presidents of the Round Table Clubs Nos 1, 2, 3, from whom we expect to get some financial help for our sports equipment.

21/6/72 Ananda and Bhaga went to Madras to call on the Chairman of Round Table Club No 31 Mr. Banerjee, for assistance both financial and material for education in Auroville. They seemed to have an initial success but we shall have to follow it up. I informed Navajata of the situation and he readily agreed I should pursue the idea.

22/6/72 Derik Parker has now decided he would like to teach in Aspiration. I said he could go up tomorrow Saturday 24th to talk with Shanti and organise something with her classes as he is a science teacher.

24/6/72 We wrote further letters to the Chairman of the Round Table Club as suggested by then.27/6/72 Went to Aspiration. Had a long talk with Thomas and Miriam at the Last School.

Suggested a creative form structure for use of the new boxes as a starting point for disciplining the physical mind leading out to an integral art expression of fulfilment for the vital mind. They both seemed quite enthusiastic about the possibility.Took Some art materials we received from Dick in London.

29/6/72 Gave Shyamsunder a list of books etc., which we need for the school which we sent on to Shraddhavan as she has some contact in U.S.A. to fund our requirements.

30/6/72 Drove the Jeep to Aspiration and back so as to instil in the minds of the medical-people that education is to share this vehicle with them in every way. They strongly object, especially Mrs S. but there is no other way at the moment.Took my class in Sri Aurobindo’s Perseus, which we all appreciated, even Ananda attended.

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July 19724/7/72 Dr Sen tried to stop the Jeep from going to Aspiration, but Shyamsunder gave me the

key and I went with Diane L. at 10.30, so we stayed there for lunch and returned by 1.3O PM.

7/7/72 Patnaik told me that Mrs Surya had agreed for me to take her, so gave me the key for the jeep, but when I went to pick up Dr Surya he refused to come if I was driving. I returned to the office to see if I could find the driver but no one was there so decided to go alone today with Sukania. It seems as if the doctors have a fear of losing their jeep to the Education Department.

11/7/72 Did not go to Aspiration this morning as I had to meet Mrs Shirley Lyons Markowitt and Mr Sudharshan Varma. She is an educationist in Uganda working under U.S.A. Government research auspicy.I did however, drive the Landrover to Aspiration at night 8.30 as there was work at Matrimandir (concreting) and 16 of us went and worked through until 3.30 AM when we drove back to Pondicherry.

13/7/72 Went to Aspiration in Katak’s van at 9.30 AM. Gave Shanti Rs 300 for current expenses. She wants to keep the carpenters working because of the many immediate needs of Last School and the educational toys we want to make.

17/7/72 Went to Auroville with Joseph Baker from California.18/7/72 Did not go to Aspiration as Katak’s van had other commitments. I had gone the day

before with Joseph Baker so it was not really essential.Peggy, Reshad and Jehangir went to the Mother.

20/7/72 First meeting for discussion to start the Pre-school for village children.Varadarajan, Shyamala, Dr Kamal, Ananda, Shanti and Norman were present. We agreed to create an Area of Play under the trees near the Community Kitchen.We agreed to see the School Masters of Kuyliapalayan village and start with the older children on August 1st.

21/7/72 Naren Das Gupta to teach at Aspiration . He comes from Shantiniketan.28/7/72 Went to Aspiration in Dayanand’s Citroën. Took my class for ‘Perseus’.

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August 19721/8/72 Bought a second hand Austin car today in which we went to Aspiration this morning

and made final arrangements for starting the Pre-School this evening at 5.00 PM.The Pre-School was inaugurated with the photos of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother placed under a beautiful tamarind tree and Prasad was distributed to 20 of the village school children and about 20 more spectators. They lived up in formation and we made two teams for them to play Kabadi.Helpers were: Shanti, Ambashankar, Nirmala, Deepshikhar and Norman.They ended their play-evening by singing songs in a circle, dispersing after Jana Gana Mana.I feel a very beautiful and very new atmosphere was created.

2/8/72 Went to Aspiration with Ambashankar for the play-school with the village children. Shanti, Deepshikhar, Varadarajan came at the end.

3/8/72 Went to Aspiration with Shyamsunder at 7.15 AM for meeting the following people:Navadita : to discuss transport for Darshan Day.Shraddhavan: to discuss her new project for workers.Nirmala : & to discuss new pre-school childrenVaradarajan : Liaison with villageShyamala : Mr & Mrs Narayan: Prasad will help in pre-schoolShanti : organisation and feeding of pre-schoolAnanda : and pre-school childrenNorman :Went again in the evening to the play-school from 5 to 6 PM.

4/8/72 Went to Aspiration, took my class of ‘Perseus.’Went to the play-school from 5 to 5 then on to Matrimandir; returned by 9.45PM.

5/8/72 Went to play-school from 5 to 5 PM. The children need some form of nutrition and we must get them a uniform.

7/8/72 Went with Shyamsunder to Aspiration at 7.15.AM. We opened the 2nd pre-school under the tamarind grove near the Community kitchen.

8/8/72 Went to Aspiration, although Ananda was not there I collected the statistics for the three new-school projects.

11/8/72 Went to Aspiration with Chidananda, Seyril, Bob Dane and Jyotiprier. They were most interested in the work being started with the pre-schools Tamil children and offered to help financially from their East-West Centre in Los Angeles.

14/8/72 Went to Matrimandir for concreting, midnight Meditation and Distribution.15/8/72 DARSHAN DAY - 1872 – 1972

Some children and teachers came to meditation in my office at 10.00 AM.18/8/72 Went to Aspiration with Pushpa Vaidya, Dr Paul and introduced them to the System of

Education. They are to open schools along similar lines in Bombay. But perhaps they will now want rather to join us here.Margaret Jones, Australia, says she can teach English.

21/8/72 Went with Shyamsunder to Aspiration at 7.15 AM to hear problems on the spot.22/8/72 Took Shyamsunder to Aurocreation site on the 2Beach2 where Janet and François

Bouquet live. Problem of co-ordinating work and living.

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24/8/72 Cycled to Aspiration with Shyamsunder.25/8/72 Spoke with Roger re-organising the Educational System of Auroville. Wrote a memo

on the subject laying out the background and future aspirations of Auroville Education.We arranged for a preliminary meeting for 30th Aug. inviting: Anjani, Yvonne, Tanmaya, Roger, Shanti, Shyamsunder, Norman.

30/8/72 The meeting in Shyamsunder’s office today at 8.00 PM to prepare for the larger meeting at Aspiration on Sunday at 4.30 PM was attended by:Shyamsunder, Roger, Yvonne, Anjani, Tanmaya, Shanti and Norman.Yvonne spoke of the Future Education as – the children educating the adults.Roger wanted a more practical and realistic approach.Tanmaya said it had already been done by Padma and himself.Norman gave a copy of his memorandum of this date to all.Anjani thought Yvonne should put the case of Auroville Education before everybody on Sunday.Roger suggested that Norman should speak also.

31/8/72 Shyamsunder explained the outcome of yesterday’s meeting to The Mother, who called Roger. After some deep concentration She wrote the message to Norman as follows:THE MOTHER’S MESSAGE TO NORMAN 31st August 1972

Dorénavant Norman est chargépour l’éducation d’Auroville,des relations extérieures,réception des visiteurs,correspondence,livres etc.Cette responsabilité par son importancenécéssite toute son activité.BenedictionsLA MERE

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