A two-day orientation programme covering areas like making learning interesting, use of art, drama, in day to day learning, use of digital medium according to their place and situation, etc. was conducted for a small group of teachers from a primary school of Banamalipur village near Lakshmikantapur and a non-formal school in K-plot, an island between the rivers Matla and Thakuraan,approachable from Patharpratima.
The orientation was conducted by teachers of Sri Aurobindo Bal Mandir on 17th and 18th November 2021.
On the occasion of Siddhi Day (24th November) in 2021, a two-day long exhibition of photographs on Sri Aurobindo’s stay in Pondicherry and the early years of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, was held at Sakti Centre. With about seventy graphic plates on display depicting the theme, the exhibition was inaugurated by Shri Biswajit Gangopadhyay, Trustee of Sri Aurobindo Bhavan Kolkata, also a Trustee at Sakti Centre New Alipore. Meditation was held at the Shrine. Like all years, the premises was decorated with lamps for the occasion.
On 5th November 2021 evening, Sri Aurobindo Sakti Centre hosted a gracious event by “Evening of Grace” titled “An evening with Scholars” , presentations and lectures by three internationally renowned erudite persons –
Dr. Probir Roy, eminent scientist, Tripose from Cambrige UK, Ph.D. from Stanford University USA, Post Doctoral Fellow from Cornell University USA, Senior Scientist at the CERN Project Geneva, former Professor of TIFR Mumbai and recipient of the S.S.Bhatnagar Award
Dr. R. P. Banerjee, Chairman and Director of EIILM, a renowned management institute of Kolkata, having vast experience in teaching B-school students over renowned institutions like IIM Kolkata, IISWB, University of Kolkata, IFIM Bangalore and others.
Dr. Soumitra Basu, eminent consultant psychiatrist working with the consciousness paradigm, having conducted workshops in Europe and the USA, editor of journal “Namah”.
The topic of discussion was “The concept of Infinity”.
Also, before the programme, a short commemoration session was held in memory of Shri Subhasis Kanjilal who passed away recently.
The programme was held keeping in mind and conforming to Covid-19 safety protocols.
Shri Manoj Das, a great sadhak, litterateur, story teller, teacher and above all, a perfect gentleman, passed away on 27th April 2021 in Pondicherry. Memories of his affectionate association will be cherished by all associated with the Centre and the School. Born on 27 February 1934 in a remote coastal village of Odisha, Sri Manoj Das exhibited his literary qualities right from an young age. He was a revolutionary youth leader in his college days, General Secretary of the Students Federation. After serving as a lecturer in English at Cuttack for four years, he, along with his wife, Pratijna Devi, joined the Sri Aurobindo Ashram at Pondicherry in 1963 which became their permanent abode. He was one of the most famous Indian writers writing in English and Odia received a number of awards among which are prestigious awards like the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Odisha Sahitya Akademi Award (twice), the Sarala Award, the Sahitya Bharati Award, Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad (Kolkata) Award, BAPASI (Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India) Award, the Atibadi Jagannath Das Samman, the Saraswati Samman, the Utkal Ratna and D.Litt. from Utkal and Ravenshaw Universites. He had led the Indian Writers’ delegation to China in 2000. The President of India decorated him with the Padma Shri Award in 2001 and then Padma Bhushan in 2019. He shall be recognized as a competent interpreter of India’s literary and spiritual heritage. (Picture of Sri Manoj Das and content courtesy : Overman Foundation, Kolkata)
Despite all adversities owing to onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the Art Section went on with the art classes on an ONLINE mode. Even, the Diploma Examination of Sarbabharatiya Sangeet O Sanskriti Parishad was coordinated and conducted with students appearing for their examinations from their residences and supervised by the Instructors over remote access. The Art Section also held an art competition in the month of January 2021 over remote access and prizes were awarded for selected works of art.
The Art Section organised a one-day workshop on Sunday, 19th January 2020, covering area viz. Acrylic painting, Water-colour, Glass painting, Collage making and making items with M.Seal and Waste materials. The workshop was conducted by Instructors of our Art Section and attended by around 100 participants, including parents. The participants enjoyed the day expressing their creative talents. They were given certificates of appreciation and snacks at the end of the workshop.
An awareness programme on mental health of children was held at Sri Aurobindo Bal Mandir on 15th September 2019 with eminent psychiatrist Dr. Soumitra Basu as the resource person. Parents and guardians of KG classes attended. The session began with a general presentation on the important points parents must adhere to regarding mental health of children, followed by a long interactive session where parents discussed specific problems and received suggestions on ways to deal with them.
Sri Aurobindo Bal Mandir (under Sri Aurobindo Sakti Centre) teachers’ team held day-long workshops for teachers at three places in North Bengal. The first of such workshops was held on 5th July 2019 at Belakoba (district Jalpaiguri) where 24 teachers from 7 primary schools of the area attended. The second workshop was held at Naxalbari (district Darjeeling) the next day i.e. 6th July 2019, attended by 42 teachers from 5 primary schools, while the last one was held on 7th July 2019 in Siliguri Town at Sishu Malancha, a primary school of repute, where 34 teachers from 5 primary schools attended. Sessions were conducted on training of the senses and how learning can be made interesting for students, keeping in mind the thoughts of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother on education. Books on Sri Aurobindo and The Mother and their thoughts on education were on display and procured by many participants.
A day-long workshop was held by Sri Aurobindo Society at Sri Aurobindo Sakti Centre & Sri Aurobindo Bal Mandir, New Alipore, Kolkata on 21st July 2019. The workshop was conducted by Sri Shivakumar, Director, Sri Aurobindo Foundation for Integral Education & Reserch where teachers of Sri Aurobindo Bal Mandir as well teachers from Mirraloke, Sri Aurobindo Centre of Education – Purulia and Sri Aurobindo Society School of Maithon participated. Centering around the theme Integral Education, there were interactive sessions and group activities. Starting at 10.30 am, the workshop concluded at 3pm with a short lunch break in between.
In the evening, at Sri Aurobindo Sakti Centre, there was a programme of AuroYouth conducted by Sri Shivakumar, who is also the National Director of AuroYouth. The theme of the session was “My Inner Self”.
