24th of November SIDDHI DIWAS, a significant day for all Sri Aurobindo devotees, the day of descent of the overmental consciousness into the physical, the day after which Sri Aurobindo withdrew to pursue his rigorous sadhana for the descent of the Supramental consciousness on earth and the Mother took charge of the running of the Ashram. The day was observed at Sri Aurobindo Sakti Centre with a talk in the evening by Dr. Saurabh Mukherjee, devotee of Sri Aurobindo, Lecturer of Philosophy, Sanskrit College, Kolkata, on the significance of Siddhi Day and its implications in our life when it comes to implementation of the ideas and ideals propagated by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. The workers and devotees were present. On the day, every year, Sri Aurobindo Sakti Centre premises is decorated with lamps.
Notice & Events
Sri Aurobindo as a teacher in the present day perspective – a talk
On the 9th November 2023, Sri Aurobindo Sakti Centre organised a programme at the first floor hall of its New Alipore premises, where eminent speaker on Sri Aurobindo and a senior teacher Shri Bhaskar Mukherjee delivered an enlightening talk on the topic – “Sri Aurobindo as a teacher in the present day perspective”. He mentioned about the very specific and successful role Sri Aurobindo played as a teacher though for a shorter period when compared with his roles as a freedom struggle leader and a spiritual thinker and sadhak. Shri Mukherjee in his detailed and attractive deliberation pointed out the uniqueness of Sri Aurobindo’s way of teaching from the accounts of the students and showed how the method he adopted during the end nineteenth century and early twentieth century years are still relevant even today. While discussing on the educational ideas of Sri Aurobindo, Shri Mukherjee revealed before the audience the parallels between those ideas and principles and the ones going to get adopted in the Policy of National Education by the Government of India. Shri Mukherjee concluded his talk with the mention of the uniqueness of Sri Aurobindo as Guru or the Spiritual teacher. The programme was attended by people most of whom belonged to the teaching community, attached to various schools and colleges.
Visit of a team from Germany – October 2023
A team from Germany from Global Social and Marco Polo School comprising of Mr. Axel Brummer, Ms. Iris and Mr. Max Roeder on their visit to India, visited the school Sri Aurobindo Bal Mandir on 12th October 2023. Accompanying them were Mr. Kaushik Banerjee and Ms. Suvasri Banerjee of Global Social India. They went around the classes going on, interacted with the teachers and had a glimpse of the effort we undertake at the institution based on the ideas and ideals of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. They sat with the teachers after classes were over when Mr. Brummer shared experiences of working with children in Brazil, Kenya, Uganda and Bolivia and Ms. Iris mentioned some of her experiences as a teacher at Marco Polo school in Germany, while Mr. Max interpreted her talk in German to English. They also showed a video on the importance of saving water which, made here in Kolkata, would perhaps be presented later as a project to the United Nations. The team from Germany expressed their feeling of serenity experienced during their stay at this institution.
Independence Day & Sri Aurobindo Jayanti celebrated on 15th August 2023
Sri Aurobindo Sakti Centre with its wings observed Independence Day and the 151st Birth Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo on 15th August 2023. Hoisting of the National Tricolour took place at 8.00 a.m. by the Principal of Sri Aurobindo Bal Mandir cum Managing Trustee of the institution. The students of the institution presented a synchronized drill. The staff members of the institution performed a chorus song led by a member of the Board of Trustees, followed by a choreographed dance recital. All students, including those of the Art Section, who were present were given cakes and chocolates. Meditation was held at the Shrine from 10.30 to 10.45 a.m. There was a cultural programme on the occasion, paying tribute to Sri Aurobindo on the occasion with a fusion musical offering by teams under Sri Biswajit Dutta on western instruments and Sri Sudip Chatterjee on eastern instruments. Prasad was distributed to devotees, guests and workers of the Institution in the end.
Dance classes coming up at the ART SECTION
Admission for Session 2024 – Sri Aurobindo Bal Mandir
An internal workshop for teachers of Sri Aurobindo Bal Mandir
ANTAR -GAMANAM is a journey through one’s own self in search of the true meaning of EDUCATION. A one – day internal workshop was held at Sri Aurobindo Bal Mandir on Saturday, 8th July (2023), based on the holistic approach of education as envisioned by the Mother and Sri Aurobindo. All the teachers of Sri Aurobindo Bal Mandir participated in the discussion, shared their opinions and enjoyed the activities and games which in turn will help to improve the skill of our students.
Outdoor Art Session at our Art Section
Sri Aurobindo Sakti Centre Trust Art Section from time to time conducts outdoor sessions for the senior students where they learn to create artworks inspired by the surroundings in the open air. Here are some glimpses of an outdoor session at the park street Cemetery, led by our art instructor, Mr. Sushital Roy, with the senior students (4th to 7th year, session 2022-2023). The Outdoor study was followed by a short visit to the Indian Museum where the students were able to draw inspiration from the various historical and cultural artefacts and learnt about different forms of arts. The students enjoyed the session thoroughly and the Art section plans to hold such outdoor sessions more often.
Digital Art & Music lessons at the Art Section
DIGITAL ART course runs on full swing at the Art Section of Sri Aurobindo Sakti Centre. This course is open to interested students, their parents and individuals. Please enquire at the Art Section office on Saturdays (between 4.00 to 5.00 p.m.) or Sundays (between 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.) except holidays at the institution, for details and admission.
MUSIC CLASSES are going on at the Art Section of Sri Aurobindo Sakti Centre. Classes are being held on Guitar from 5.30 p.m. on Saturdays and Synthesizer on 9.30 a.m. on Sundays. Interested persons may please enquire at the Art Section Office between 4.00 to 6.00 p.m. on Saturdays and 8.00 to 10.00 a.m. on Sundays.
Achievement of our Art Instructor Ms. Sayani Banerjee
Miss Sayani Banerjee, Instructor in our Art Section, was awarded the Second Prize in the Poster Design Competition 2023 held under the theme “Healthy Mindset and Well being” organised by Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, handed over to her at a programme, attended and addressed by H. E. C.V. Ananda Bose, Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal.
