The August winds

The month of August, in the middle of which occur Sri Aurobindo's birth anniversary and India's Independence Day on the 15th day, always ushers winds of inner change in people and organisations associated with Sri Aurobindo and The Mother's vision of a greater future for India and the world. While it is usually marked by numerous cultural and educational programmes in Auroville, this year there was a visit on 18th August by the first Chairman of Auroville Foundation, Dr Karan Singh, whose combined tenure as Chairman  since the coming into existence of the organisation in 1988, until he completed his tenure in 2020 exceeded two decades. 

Dr. Karan Singh paid floral homage to the Sri Aurobindo statue in Auroville which was installed during his tenure, identical to the one he got installed earlier at Unesco. According to the report of The Hindu newspaper, he met with the Secretary, Auroville Foundation Dr. Jayanti Ravi and official groups [appointed under the present Governing Board]. Devotees from Sri Aurobindo Ashram were also present. It is understood from a reliable source that a day earlier, presumably on the 17th, Dr. Karan Singh was met by some Auroville residents including members of the Working Committee of the Residents Assembly (RA WCom) in Puducherry. 

The tenure of the present Chairman, Shri R.N. Ravi, and members of the Governing Board of Auroville is due to end on 5th October 2025. He is the Governor of Tamil Nadu, and the State Govt. of Tamil Nadu had filed cases against his actions as the Governor. The Supreme Court of India expressed unhappiness over some of his actions, and it remains to be seen if the central govt. would appoint him as governor to some other state. (*) If so, then the next governor of Tamil Nadu may be appointed as the Chairman of the Auroville Foundation. According to 'The Hindu' Tamil edition, Shri R. N. Ravi left on a 4-day visit to New Delhi on 20th August. 

The present Secretary of Auroville Foundation, Dr Jayanti Ravi, serving as the Additional Chief Secretary, (Revenue Department) in the State Govt. of Gujarat, was given a one-year extension for the Auroville assignment as an additional charge last December, or till the appointment of a "regular incumbent" to the post, whichever is earlier. No advertisement for a full-time Secretary for Auroville Foundation has been issued by the Ministry of Education till now. 

Sri Aurobindo (1872 - 1950)

*Shri R.N. Ravi, the Governor of Tamil Nadu, was transferred to West Bengal on 5th March 2026.