This morning, a fellow-Aurovilian surprised me by sending a
photo of the book release function of "Dear
Aurovilians - Inspiration from Karan Singh's Auroville Collaboration". I was aware that the book which I had the honour and
joy to work on, was released by then Podicherry Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi on
September 2018 but did not recall that it was 7th September. Here is the photo.
Soon after the function, Karan Singh wrote to me from Delhi
on Sep 14, 2018, 9:31 AM :
"Dear Aryadeep, On my return to Delhi I hasten to thank
you warmly for all the trouble you took to produce the beautiful book Dear
Aurovilians. Everyone to whom I have given a copy are full of praise
for the contents as well as the presentation. I am sending a copy to the
Prime Minister today because you were able to include his visit also.
I do greatly appreciate the energy and affection that you
put into this book, ably assisted by Angshuman Basu and other friends. I
am sure Aurovillians will enjoy this as part of Auroville’s institutional
memory.
Incidentally, I learnt that a grant for this book was met
out of the Golden Jubilee publications grant. As I am not comfortable
with money being spent for this purpose from the Auroville Fund, I am reimbursing
this to the Foundation, alongwith a personal donation of Rs. 5 lakhs for
Matrimandir.
With warm regards, Karan Singh
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
When I gifted the book to Marco Feira (of Auroville Art
Service), he
wrote back
"It is one of the fundamental
books in Auroville's history".
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You can listen the programme on Auroville Radio here.
You can see the video of the book release function here.
Notice how in her speech Kiran Bedi puts forth so many ideas
and
vision for the development of Auroville.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
.jpg)
The
book would not have been possible without the cooperation of many individuals.
It was Carel who made selections from past issues of Auroville Today and from
the old files of the Working Committee. It was Anshuman Basu who came and
gave me that content to work on, to add, to organise, to introduce. It
was (late) Giorgio who read my appeal on Auronet and invited me to collect
photos from his vast collections. Ireno sent a masterly photo of Karan Singh in
the Foundation office which appears before the start of the book. Marco
Saroldi, another photographer of Auroville too supplied the photos of
Karneshwar Nataraja Temple Karan Singh got built near Kalapet (Auroville)
through Satprem of the Earth Institute. A man from the Ashram Archives
sent me many photos of Karan Singh's early visits to Ashram before and soon
after the founding of Auroville. Frederick and Jai Singh and others gave their
interview for the book. Others wrote their reminiscences. My A4A colleagues and
Larry Seidlitz and Jill Navarre did the proof-reading.
Janardhana
of PRISMA was very tolerant with my many changes, sometimes even last minute
changes in the text or the arrangement of the content. In spite of all
this, today if I have to bring out a new edition of the book, I see the need to
make many changes: many corrections, to add several new things including Alain
Grandcolas' two beautiful reminiscences of Karan Singh and Suhasini's
experience of a help she received from Karan Singh when she was stuck at an
airport.
The book is free from Aurovilians & newcomers (just like Sri
Aurobindo's and the Mother's big volume of photos were offered free by Micheal
Bonke). If you would like to have a copy, please pass by Land Board office and
ask the secretary Jothi. If you cannot come to Town Hall, please send an
email to me (aryadeep@auroville.org.in) with your community
name and I will arrange to send the book to you.
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