Esteemed members of the Sri Aurobindo Education Society, yet another momentous year has passed since we met last. Many

meaningful developments have taken place during this year. We are happy to share with you the different dimensions of the work done by the Society.

REPORT OF THE HEADQUARTERS, Delhi

SRI AUROBINDO INSTITUTE OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Sri Aurobindo Institute of Vocational Training offers to the youth in the age group of fifteen to thirty-five a six-month basic training in one of the 8 different trades, with special stress on practical work.

Keeping in view our commitment to National Integration, the participants were selected from several states. Care was taken to choose boys and girls from economically weaker strata of society.

During the year under report, 93 youths completed the training course in two batches.

In addition to the training in their respective trades the trainees attended a 10-day first aid course, basic training in computers and English and Hindi classes regularly and participated in the daily meditation. They also did one hour of cooperative manual labour (shramdan) every day and had one hour of physical education every evening—including ‘keep-fit’ exercises and vigorous games for which we have extensive facilities.

They were taken for picnics and sightseeing. They witnessed the various cultural and educational activities on the Ashram campus.

The 6-month all-round training and living and interacting in the uplifting Ashram ambience provides the trainees an opportunity for integral personality growth.

The trainees were advised about career options.

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SPONSORSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MISCELLANEOUS ACADEMIC AND OTHER COURSES

Mountaineering and Sports

Rs. 6,991/- were paid to 2 parents for training in Basic Water Sport course and Rs. 2,161 to 2 persons for mountaineering course.

IGNOU/Open School/Miscellaneous

A sum of Rs.87,346/- was awarded as scholarships to 16 students who are pursuing academics in various fields. Details are as under:

IGNOU: 4 candidates appeared for various exams under IGNOU.

Open School: 1 candidate under Open School.

Other Courses: 1 candidate for Library Science course at Annamalai University, 1 candidate for naturopathy, 1 candidate for call centre training, 1 candidate for HDENSM, 1 candidate for computer and English course, 1 candidate for course at British School of Language, 2 candidates for other courses.

New Delhi Schools/Colleges : 2 candidates were granted scholarships. Other Schools : 1 candidate was granted scholarship.

Music

A sum of Rs.13,000/- was awarded by the Sri Aurobindo Education Society as Scholarships to students for continuing with training in their chosen fields (instrumental, vocal, dance). Three (3) students benefited from this scholarship.

Computers

Computers were arranged for distribution to needy village schools.

SCHOLARSHIPS TO TEACHER-TRAINEES Rs.1,06,000 was the total amount spent on scholarships to 20 teacher-trainees by the Sri Aurobindo Education Society which runs a 3-year Teacher Training Institute. For teachers who are in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of training the monthly scholarships ranged from Rs.400/- to Rs.700/-. The Society also takes care of their board and lodging.

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SCHOLARSHIPS FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING

A sum of Rs.1,76,400/- was the amount incurred on boarding & lodging and stipend (Rs.300/- per month) paid to 98 students of the Sri Aurobindo Institute of Vocational Training who underwent basic training in various 6-month courses.

FREE DISTRIBUTION OF CLOTHES, BOOKS, TOYS

During the year under report, many of our well-wishers donated sweaters and blankets which were distributed to the needy. Substantial quantity of old/new clothes, books and toys were also collected and sent to needy village schools.

COMPUTER DISTRIBUTION

Computers were donated to us by our well-wishers. Some had parts that were not working. So all the working parts of different computers were integrated together to form working sets (set of CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse) of computers.

Two such working computers were given to a Madhya Pradesh school.

THE MOTHER’S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

SCHOOL RESULTS (2005-2006 Session)

The secondary school results in the Mother’s International School were outstanding this year as well.

A total of 180 students appeared for the class X Board exams and as many as 60 students scored above 90% marks in the aggregate, the highest being 96.80% scored by Mukta Nag. The results were cent per cent as usual. Barring 2 students who were placed in the 2nd division, the rest scored first division and above. Five students scored cent per cent marks in Mathematics and 4 students had cent per cent in Science. There was one cent per cent in Social Studies as well. The total number of distinctions in different subjects was 811. The average percentage in different subjects was : English 85.50%, Maths 87.31%, Science 88.21%, Social Studies 88.36%, Hindi 79.07%, Sanskrit 88.84%, French 83%.

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In class XII, we sent 153 students for the Board exams. The results were 100%. There was only one second division. The highest aggregate in the Science Stream was 93.80%, in the Commerce Stream 93.40% and in the Humanities Stream 91.20%. Shivani Saxena topped in the Science Stream, Gypsa Srivastava in the Commerce Stream and Gautam Khazanchi in the Humanities Stream. In Physics as many as 18 students scored 95% marks. In Mathematics three students had cent per cent marks.

Talent Festival (April 2005)

The entire school participated in a talent festival. There were a number of items to choose from. It was a joyous day since each child got a chance to express himself and realize his potential. Certificates of merit were given.

MIS participation in the Inter-school Events (July-Sept. 2005)

Chinmaya Youth Festival organised by Chinmaya Mission: Niharika Sehgal of class X got the

1st position in the Art competition and MIS secured the 1st position in dance competition.

Students’ Science Seminar organised by the Directorate of Education held at Science Centre: Paarth Gupta of class X secured second position for his project.

8th Shri Surendra Nath Jauhar ‘Faquir’ Memorial Invitational Football Tournament 2005 16 schools participated in the tournament.

Winners were the Modern School (Barakhamba Road) Runners up were the Mother’s International School

Carmel Convent Inter-school Quiz Competition. Shreyas K. Reddy, Nabankur Deb and

Rohan Ghosh of class XII got the 1st prize. MIS won the Overall Trophy.

Junior Sri Debate organised by the Shri Ram School, D.L.F. Paartha Sarathi of class VII won the award for the Best Speaker. MIS won the Best School Trophy.

Outlook Debate Contest organised by the Outlook magazine, held at Tagore International School. Stuti Rawat of class XII of our school participated and secured the Second position; she also qualified for zonals.

Fundamental Quiz organized by The Times of India, held at Siri Fort Auditorium. MIS secured the third position.

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BOSCO PSI-PHI 2005 organised by Don Bosco School, Alaknanda. MIS won the Overall Trophy.

Drug Abuse Awareness Symposium organised by Modern School, Barakhamba Road: MIS

bagged the 1st Prize, for the second consecutive year.

Social Science Quiz organized by Vasant Valley School:. MIS secured the 1st position.

National Mathematics Talent Search organised by Manav Sthali School: Nikhil Kumar of class VIII and Paarth Gupta of class IX won the First position. Pankaj Choudhary of class VII, Shraya Agarwal and Jyoti Gupta of class VIII, Anindita Pal and Aman Goel of class X won the Second position.

E-Spice organised by DPS, Noida:

Zarquon Test:

Sarvagya Sharma and Akshay Verma of class X won the 1st position.

Quiz & Cross Word:

Sarvagya Sharma and Akshay Verma won the 2nd position.

Programming:

Milind Ganjoo of class X and Pranav Gupta of class XII won the 1st position.

Group Discussion:

Milind Ganjoo won the 2nd position.

HT Pace Inquizitive held at Talkatora Stadium. Shreyas Reddy and Nabankur Deb of class XII

won the 1st position in Delhi and also won the Overall Trophy at the National Level.

Connect 2005 organised by Springdales School, Pusa Road:

Quiz

Sarvagya Sharma and Akshay Verma won the 1st position.

Gaming

Raag Yadava won the 2nd position

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Surprise Event

Akshay Verma won the 1st position.

MIS won the Overall Best School Trophy.

Economics Festival ‘ECONOMITE’ organised by Modern School, Vasant Vihar:

Panel Discussion

Utathya Chattopadhyaya won the 1st position

Symposium

Aditi Oberoi and Ashish Virmani won the 2nd position.

Economics Festival ‘ECONORM’ organised by D.P.S., R.K. Puram:

Symposium:

Aditi Oberoi won the 2nd Best Speaker position.

Quiz :

Ashish Virmani and Shreyas Reddy won the 1st position.

Inter-school Literacy Festival organised by Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan. Gayatri Nair

won the 1st position in Declamation. Sadhvi Takyar secured the 2nd position in Recitation and

Tarini Bandhu and Vibhuti Verma secured the 2nd position in Story Writing.

Modem 2005 organised by Modern School, Vasant Vihar.

Quiz :

Akshay Verma of class X and Sarvagya Sharma of class XII won the 1st position.

Programming :

Milind Ganjoo and Pranav Gupta of class X won the 3rd position.

MIS won the Overall Trophy.

Participation of MIS students in Inter-school Events (Oct. 2005 to March 2006)

Computer

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In Dynamix hosted by Ramjas School, R.K. Puram, MIS secured the Overall Winners Trophy.

In Code Wars computer festival hosted by D.P.S. Vasant Kunj, MIS won the Overall Winners Trophy.

In Force Fest organized by A.P.J. School, Sheikh Sarai, MIS won Overall 2nd position.

English

English Forensics Competition in Original Oratory held at America School: MIS stood First and won the Best Speaker award.

Science

In the Anveshika Inter-school Science Festival organised by Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, MIS won the Best Overall School Trophy.

Kritika Adhikary got the First Prize and Rs. 30,000 in Green Olympiad organised by TERI.

In the Science and Technology week organised by Gyan Bharati School, MIS won the Best Overall School Trophy.

Quiz

Our school stood First in the Japan Quiz 2005 held by the Japanese Cultural Information Centre, Embassy of Japan.

In the TERRA Environment Quiz, MIS reached the semifinal round

Theatre

In the Theatre Festival held at Sanskriti School, MIS won the Runners-up Trophy and the Best Actor award.

Sanskrit

The school won the Overall Trophy in the Shloka Recitation Competition held at D.P.S. Mathura Road, our students getting First positions in different categories.

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Annual Events

The Accolades Day was celebrated on 12 November 2005. The Annual Day celebration “Piercing the Veils of Darkness” took place on 10 December 2005, in which vignettes of the contribution of great philosophers and great teachers to the evolution of mankind were presented through beautiful tableaux—a vedic gurukula ‘The Rishi and the Brahmacharis’, battlefield of Kurkshetra ‘The Divine Teacher and the Human Disiciple’, Buddha’s teaching ‘The Seeker and the Teacher’. There were, too, presentations on Socrates, Sufi wisdom, Shantiniketan, Maria Montessori, the modern classics The Little Prince & Jonathan Livingstone Seagull and the Integral Education of Sri Aurobindo & the Mother. The celebration concluded with ‘Raag Symphony’ by the school orchestra including presentations based on Indian classical music & compositions by Pandit Ravi Shankar and Rabindranath Tagore.

Ms Cherie Booth (Blair) visits the MIS

The Mother’s International School took great pride in hosting the visit of Ms Cherie Booth, QC, wife of the British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair on 8 August 2005. The VVIP was offered a glimpse of the quintessential Indian culture through a presentation of yoga and a Rajasthani folk dance, each of them exhibiting the perfect synchronicity and splendid harmony that is the hallmark of the composite culture of India. In her speech she expressed her sincere appreciation of these performances and also of the efforts taken by the Mother’s International School towards a proper realization of the Indo-UK Exchange Programme ‘Dreams+Teams’ conceived and organized by the British Council. In her entry into the Visitor’s Book Ms Booth thanked the School profusely for “a display of excellence in every way—spiritual, cultural, physical and mental”.

Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar visits the M.I.S. (7th March 2006)

It was a very special day for the M.I.S. The famous Pandit Ravi Shankar, who was the pioneer in making Indian Classical music popular in the West, and thus bringing the East & the West closer to each other, visited our campus on 7 March 2006. He was received at the gate, and after a visit to the Shrine he attended a Special Assembly at the M.I.S. where Pandit Barunkumar Pal, one of his senior disciples, conducted a beautiful orchestra: a large group of students participated—playing various melodies on violin, sitar, Hawaiian guitar, flute and other instruments with perfect harmony. It was nice to hear the great sitar maestro say that he was overwhelmed by the superb presentation. He spent most of the afternoon here and was shown round the campus.

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TOURS

The following students tours were arranged during the year :

1. Class IV Jaipur2. Class V Aurovalley, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Rajaji National Park3. Class VI Madhuban, Talla Ramgarh4. Class VII Aurangabad, Ajanta and Ellora5. Class VIII Nainital (Rock-climbing, trekking)6. Class IX Pondicherry and Auroville7. Class X /XI Dalhousie

SCHOLARSHIPS TO MIS STUDENTS

Given by the MIS

36 Sri Aurobindo Merit Scholarships were awarded to deserving students of The Mother’s International School for their excellent academic performance. Scholarships ranging from Rs.2,400/- to Rs. 6,000/- were awarded as 1st, 2nd, 3rd prizes to these students. A sum of Rs.1,46,400/- was given away as scholarships to these children. 34 other scholarships were given to students for there achievements in various fields from other funds. Rs.13,415 were spent on other scholarships/prizes. An additional amount of Rs. 1,12,080 was given as freeships to 8 children of volunteers.

Given by the SAES

Rs. 54,200/- were paid to 4 needy students.

MIRAMBIKA

Mirambika school and the teacher training activity has completed 25 years this year. The progress made over these 25 years has borne fruit in that there have been several occasions when Integral Education has been discussed, practised, and the approach has seen many children qualify and enter the world of work . Last year Mirambika had the opportunity to hold meetings to orient parents on Integral Education in which Partho, Mathhijs, Neeltje and Anuradha participated as resource persons. The outcome of the meetings had a far-reaching impact on creating a awareness and conviction about the implicit worth of the approach and methods.

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The children took part in several activities related to sports, and a physical demonstration was held. There were tours to Ramgarh, Dalhousie and Aurovalley. As a part of the learning process, the children also went to Agra, visited several biodiversity projects in Delhi and participated in the Mathematics Olympiad. There were seminars in which our teachers presented papers on mental, vital, and physical development and shared their experiences gained through action research.

Our teachers also held teacher orientation camps in Kechla, Angul in Orissa in which teachers from Integral Schools in Orissa participated. Community service camps in Ramgarh were also held.

10 teacher-trainees completed their 3-year course and have found jobs in several schools in India.

Our volunteers also contributed to developing and using the Free Progress education principles to construct curriculum in science, mathematics and social science teaching. Mirambika’s experience was also documented in an NCERT supported study on Teacher Education: ‘The Role of the Reflective Teacher and Innovative Teacher Education Curriculum’.

This year 16 children completed their 10-year schooling in Mirambika and joined the Mother’s International School and other schools in Delhi to finish their High School. 20 new children joined the school at the Red and Blue Group level.

The Mirambika team has worked specially during this 25th year to introspect and gain from their experience to envisage new directions of growth in the future.

The annual function ‘Thanksgiving 2006’ was held on 24 March 2006. Besides the items presented by the students of different Groups, the teacher-trainees performed a delightful Western folk dance.

MATRI KARUNA VIDYALAYA

Another glorious action-packed year for MKV has left its mark on this much-loved and tenderly nurtured institution. An over-all improvement in academic standard and behaviour of the MKV students is noteworthy. The dedicated and skilful service of the Principal and the teachers continue to work wonders.

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Eight children from class V said goodbye to MKV. Six of them were absorbed by local Govt. schools after successfully clearing their entrance tests, one even made it to a Public School and another happily moved to the boarding school in Ratlam.

The new academic session saw 14 toddlers comfortably settled in the Nursery Section. A few conditional offers made to the parents to fulfil the family planning requirement, were realised in mid-session, bringing the total to 20 pupils. A few vacant places were filled with new admission to Prep, I, II and III.

As usual, MKV remained open during school vacations. The Summer School was managed by MIS students of class XII. In spite of sizzling heat and dust, the enthusiastic force of 200 youngsters worked out innovative and enjoyable teaching activities based on the school syllabus.

For a unique music workshop held under Guru-Shishya-Parampara, children from classes III, IV and V were given a chance to stay on the Ashram premises along with pupils from Ushagram, Madhya Pradesh, Dehradun and the MIS. Each child armed with his/her own musical instrument, spent productive hours playing with the diverse group. The enriching experience of activity-filled days augmented children’s self-confidence and communication skills. Each participant underwent a rare experience of blending in with people from diverse social and cultural backgrounds.

Students of classes III, IV and V worked under Mohini Anand and Mitu’s supervision. Activity-based learning took place with the help of Mr Sharma (a fabulous retired Maths teacher) and Shubha (MIS parent). Almost all the children are making an effort to converse in English. Chandra, a hardworking trainee, kept them busy at the Handmade Paper Unit.

Premshila, a teacher-trainee, took care of dance, music and drama. The children also tried their hands at clay modelling and wood work. Twelve students participated in HUDCO Painting Competition.

Jatin, the budding artist, who learns at Matri Kala Mandir, has been awarded Avantika, Khshitij and several other certificates of merit. The Sports Day held on the Children’s Day went off very well.

All the national and religious festivals were celebrated by MKV. Trainees spent hours researching and planning the activities. As a result each occasion was complemented with interesting displays of art work, creative writing as well as activities like storytelling, drama, music and dance. MKV orchestra performed for Matri Kala Mandir to pay homage to Sri

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Aurobindo and the Mother, sang devotional songs, recited Durga Stotra and performed a dance based on Durga Stuti on 21 February 2006.

There was an exhibition with a difference on the Annual Day. Each class worked on a separate topic. This resulted in an amazing display of hand-crafted exhibits done in clay, paper and wood. Children also indulged in a fair amount of creative writing.

Thankfully the generous donors continue to help in making the children look well- groomed, well-nourished and happy. Books and excursions, including a wonderful day at the District Park, are taken care of by the donors’ generosity.

Parents’ meetings have been well-attended and appreciated, mostly by mothers. In some of the gatherings trainees performed skits based on values required for harmonious community living. Swami Ranjit’s talks on self-discipline, cleanliness, water harvesting and tree planting were well received.

Quite a few illiterate parents came forward to learn through a software prepared by Tata Consultancy Services. These classes were held twice a week.

MKV appears to be functioning well as a training ground for teacher-trainees. Arrival of three new trainees was a great help.

MATRI KALA MANDIR

Matri Kala Mandir , which offers training in fine arts, performing arts, etc., has witnessed an increasing inflow of learners in all the courses—enough proof of acceptance of Indian classical music and dance forms by the younger generation even in this era of Westernization of Indian society. Moreover, the stress and strain of modern days drags the elder ones too to take shelter in Indian classical music—be it vocal or instrumental. Hence we are having more elderly learners in vocal music.

At present we have 573 students on our rolls. In fact, the number is limited by room facilities.

Besides the music, dance and painting classes, MKM conducted gymnastics, Tae kwon do, table tennis and yoga classes too.

Classes for students of MIS, Mirambika and Matri Karuna Vidyalaya were also held after school hours.

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Two programmes were held during the year—one on 20 August 2005 and the other on 16 February 2006—in which a large number of students displayed their talents in painting, various Indian dance forms, Hindustani & Carnatic vocal music and Indian classical and Western music on instruments.

CONSTRUCTION

The construction of the new auditorium building of M.I.S. was started.

PUBLICATIONS

Four issues of the quarterly magazine The Call Beyond and a Souvenir were brought out this year.

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REPORT OF THE PONDICHERRY UNIT, Pondicherry

SCHOLARSHIPS

During the year, scholarships were granted to 11 needy children amounting to Rs. 57,530/-.

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REPORT OF THE KORAPUT UNIT, Orissa

VALUE EDUCATION

Sri Aurobindo Education Society has been regularly conducting Value Education programmes for teachers, teacher-trainees and students in Delhi, Orissa and Uttaranchal.

We have developed our own module. We begin the day with yogasanas and pranayam. We then have interactive sessions. At the end of the three days each participant gets a set of books.

In the recent past we have shifted our focus from urban to rural participants so as to reach into the interiors of our vast country, bringing in awareness in the youth of rural India.

TEACHER PROGRAMMES Workshops for Teachers at Kechla, district Koraput, Orissa

We conducted 2 workshops for teachers from Integral Schools of Orissa at Kechla, district Koraput, Orissa as follows:

1. There were 21 participants and 6 resource persons in the workshop held from 22 to 24 May 2005 .

2. There were 41 participants and 6 resource persons in the workshop conducted from 27 to 24 May 2005.

We organised one workshop at Dera, district Angul, in which we had 50 participants and 4 resource persons.

Programme Objectives:

(a) Sensitivity towards environment.

(b) Awareness of using waste materials in teaching-learning process.

(c) Dignity of labour.

(d) Self-awareness and consciousness through meditation, introspection, ‘question-answer’ sessions.

(e) Integration of values in subject teaching—courage, confidence, etc.

Activities, included demonstration of how to teach creatively, how to develop values in students, how to involve and educate parents, meditation, drama & role play, environmental awareness through campus cleaning and avoiding use of polythene, arts & crafts, singing rhymes, etc.

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Workshops for Students in Orissa

Two 3-day workshops were conducted as follows :

1. At Sri Aurobindo Integral School, Damanjodi, district Koraput, from 19 to 21 May 2005 with 50 students from classes VIII to X and 6 resource persons.

2. At Sri Aurobindo Integral School, district Angul from 8 to 10 June 2005 with 50 students from classes VI to IX and 4 resource persons.

The programme objectives were :

(a) To enhance creativity in learning through drama, role play, arts and crafts.

(b) To build self-confidence and self-reliance—not depending on parents.

Activities included yogasanas, games for development of senses and mental faculties, drama and role play, group discussion and question-answer sessions and meditation.

ABSTRACT OF VALUE EDUCATION WORKSHOPSA Total of three workshops were conducted for Students as follows :

Date Place of Workshop No. of Participants

19-21 May 2005 Damanjodi, Orissa 5008-10 June 2005 Angul, Orissa 50

Total 100

A Total of three workshops were conducted for Teachers as follows :

Date Place of Workshop No. of Participants

22-24 May 2005 Kechla, Koraput, Orissa 2127-29 May 2005 Kechla, Orissa 4105-07 June 2005 Kechla, Dera, Orissa 50

Total 112

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Sri Aurobindo National Integral Camp at Kechla (22 to 28 January 2006)

163 people from 10 states participated in a SANIC camp organised in village Kechla (district Koraput, Orissa from 22 to 28 January 2006). Kechla, which is a conglomerate of several tribal hamlets—some 1,400 souls inhabiting a large area, is located on the shore of the Upper Kolab reservoir.

Yogasana based ‘keep-fit’ in the morning, followed by shramdan, bathing and swimming in the reservoir, afternoon talks on topical matters, group discussion, group singing of patriotic songs in different Indian languages, hikes/boat-rides, chanting and meditation, cultural programmes and interaction with local people were the regular camp activities.

Sightseeing trips to the famous Jagganath temple, local temples and places of historical, cultural and scenic interest, including the cave shrine of Gupteswar, Macchkund, and Jeypore, the ancient capital of the region.

SPONSORSHIPS

As usual, Orissa has the largest number of children under our sponsorship. The details are as follows:

State Number of schools Number of sponsored Sponsorship amount children (Rs.)

Orissa 13 80 8,00,000/-W.B. 1 7 45,500/-

Total 14 87 8,45,500/-

SCHOLARSHIPS

One child benefited from the scholarship given by the Society on which Rs. 10,000/- was spent.

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REPORT OF THE KATNI UNIT, M.P.

SPONSORSHIPS

During the year we had 18 children under our sponsorship. 9 children were sponsored in a school in Rewa, M.P. and the other 9 in a school in Ratlam, M.P. The amount spent on the sponsorship of these 18 children during the year was Rs.1,60,000/-.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Two children benefited from the scholarships given by the Society. A sum of Rs.17,000/- was incurred on these scholarships.

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REPORT OF THE NAINITAL UNIT, Uttaranchal

VALUE EDUCATION WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS / TEACHER-TRAINEES and STUDENTS

Sri Aurobindo Education Society has been regularly conducting Value Education programmes for teachers, teacher-trainees and students in Delhi, Orissa and Uttaranchal.

We have developed our own module. We begin the day with yogasanas and pranayam. We then have interactive sessions. At the end of the three days each participant gets a set of books.

In the recent past we have shifted our focus from urban to rural participants so as to reach into the interiors of our vast country, bringing in awareness in the youth of rural India.

STUDENT PROGRAMMESWorkshop for Students at Talla Ramgarh, district Nainital, Uttaranchal

Two 3-day workshops on Value Education and Leadership training were organised from 17 to 19 May 2005 and 20, 21 & 23 May 2005 at Madhuban Ashram, Talla Ramgarh. There were 55 students from classes 9th and 11th from Shri Narayan Swami Inter College, village Talla Ramgarh and 45 students of class 8th from Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Sunrise School, Talla Ramgarh and Rajkiya Uchchatar Madhyamik Vidyalaya, village Pichaltaana, district Nainital.

These workshops were meant to create self-awareness and build one’s relationship with others, nature and surroundings. The students were made conscious of the influx of commercialisation and the web it creates in society, their role in the development of their society, their village and the country.

The programme consisted of : yogasanas, health awareness sessions and medical check-up by Dr Pradhan, ex-Professor of Physiology, MAMC and Dr Ishwaran, a medical practitioner working extensively on integral health; sessions on value education were conducted by Ms Vijay Bharti, educator of value-based education and Ms Smita Gupta, trained counsellor and social worker who has worked as a school counsellor.

The day started with a practical session of yogasanas. Students were made aware of the beneficial effects of yoga. Later, sessions were taken on value education using the methodology of stories, group discussions, individual introspection, role plays, games and activities.

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The students filled in an integral health questionnaire specially designed for these workshops. The concept of integral health was introduced which includes spiritual, mental, physical and social health. The questionnaire helped them in understanding the importance of a balanced diet, the relationship one has with family members, one’s contribution to the home, to the surroundings, one’s religious values, thoughts, attitudes and belief system, etc. This was followed by detailed discussions individually and in groups on dental hygiene and care, common eye ailments is and how to take care of eyes, importance of good sleep and drinking 8 glasses of water daily. A special session was taken with the girls on changes during puberty, the importance of personal hygiene and cleanliness and special care during menstruation.

The sessions were planned to bring out awareness of the physical & mental capacities and emotional responses of the students. They were made aware of their potential, weaknesses, fears and aspirations. Through stories and situation analysis we took them through a journey of their values and the value crisis that exists within oneself and in society at large. They were made to see the inner dynamics which plays a major role in their behaviour. A lot of emphasis was placed on building up confidence in them and encouraging public speaking. Social issues like cheating in exams, consumption and addiction of tobacco and gutka, early marriage of girls, gender differentiation, environmental degradation and conservation, etc. were discussed after having asked them to prepare role plays and skits on these topics. They were made aware of their responses and their responsibility, and of the harmful effects of using polythene. They were taught how to make paper bags from old newspapers.

As part of the programme on health-awareness, the concept of integral health was introduced and discussed. A specially designed questionnaire was given to the students on the basis of which individual counselling and a complete health check-up was done by the team of doctors.

Music can be a very important source of stimulating patriotism and uplifting human consciousness. Keeping this aim in mind, music sessions were organised where songs of different languages were taught.

All the students were given a set of books.

The workshop was well appreciated as could be seen from the feedback received from the students.

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ABSTRACT OF VALUE EDUCATION WORKSHOPSA Total of three workshops were conducted for Students as follows :

Date Place of Workshop No. of Participants

17-19 May 2005 Talla Ramgarh, Uttaranchal 5520-13 May 2005 Talla Ramgarh, Uttaranchal 45

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Total 100

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MISCELLANEOUS ACADEMIC AND OTHER COURSES

Academic Scholarships

School No. of Children Amount (Rs.)

At Nainital 2 12,000/-At Madhuban 20 1,05,394/-

Total 22 1,17,394/-

Mountaineering and Sports

Two persons were granted scholarship for training in Basic water sport course amounting to Rs. 6,991/- and an amount of Rs. 2,161/- was spent on 2 candidates for Mountaineering Course. Total amount spent was Rs. 9,152/-.

CAMPS at VAN NIWAS, NAINITAL

ADVENTURE (YOUTH) CAMPSAdventure (Youth) Camps during Summer

Ten 8-day Adventure (Youth) Camps were organised from April to June 2005 in which 1,045 youth (mostly students) took part. They were mostly students from Heritage School, Sawan Public School, Mehta Vidyalaya of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan & M.I.S., Sri Aurobindo Youth Council, Baroda, Pilani, Udavi School, Auroville, Birla Balika Vidyapeeth & Birla Public School, Sri Aurobindo Integral School, K.V.O. & Udayachal High School, Mumbai, K.V.O. &

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Shri Kutchi Mitra Mandal, Hyderabad, Sri Aurobindo Society Centre Surat, Bangalore, B.Y. Bhavan’s Mehta Vidyalaya, Chennai, M.P., The Mother’s Academy, Patna, Hariharanand Public School, Haridwar, Amar Nath Vidya Ashram, Mathura, Heritage School, Ramgarh.

The campers enjoyed a 5-day course in rock-climbing which was packed with fun and adventure. On the first day, they learnt the elementary climbing techniques during a scrambling tour over rocky terrain. The next two days they climbed rock-faces with the help of ropes. The fourth day had rappelling—the spectacular leaping down a rock-face using ropes. On the last day, the trainees did river-crossing. Apart from the thrill and adventure, one gets a practical lesson in courage, endurance, alertness, discipline and co-operation, through this training.

Sparkling little Tamil kids from Udavi School, Auroville and children from the ‘Prayas’ NGO of Delhi and youth from Koraput (Orissa) also attended the camp and participated in activities.

Adventure (Youth) Camps during Autumn

Two Youth Camps were conducted from 9 to 26 October 2005 for 160 participants from DAV Centenary Public School, Community Developoment & Health Project, St. Stephens Hospital, Haryana, Amar Nath Vidya Ashram, Mathura.

SRI AUROBINDO NATIONAL INTEGRATION CAMPS

Two 8-day Sri Aurobindo National Integration Camps were held from 11 June 2005 with similar activities. There were 244 participants who came from 19 states.

In addition to national integration activities like group singing of patriotic songs in several Indian languages the campers did rock-climbing, river-crossing and trekking.

The campers learnt to live a spiritually oriented and harmonious collective life.

The morning ‘keep-fit’ session followed by shramdan, trekking, games, the eating and living together—all helped in bringing the campers close to each other in a healthy and meaningful way.

The participants got an opportunity to develop higher life values through meditation and satsang, through cultural exchange, interaction with ashramites and other campers, through the benign influence of the ordered and creative life, through a communion with nature and through the spiritually charged atmosphere of the place. They learnt to channelise their energies along positive, constructive and creative lines.

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Treks started with the shortest one to Land’s End and covered several interesting places, including the 15 km trek to Kainchi temple, and ended with the trek to Naina Peak. The treks also provided ideal conditions for integration, as friendships are formed during the course of the trek when the campers begin to interact amongst themselves as they go through the scenic forest routes.

At 7 p.m. every day, the participants collected in the meditation hall to meditate and listen to lectures on subjects like ‘self-awareness’, ‘national integration’, ‘integration within’, or any other spiritual topic.

Another SANIC was conducted specially for teachers from 21 June 2005—with similar activities.

A valedictory function was held on 28 June which was graced by Mahamahim Rajyapal of Uttaranchal, His Excellency Sudarshan Agarwal who gave away certificates to the participants. He emphasised the importance of such National Integration Camps in a country like India which is like a bouquet of various religions & races.

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A NOTE ON SCHOLARSHIPS, SPONSORSHIPS & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

An abstract of the Sponsorships & Scholarships given by the Society to deserving and needy students/trainees during the year is presented below :

SCHOLARSHIPS

UNIT SCHOLARSHIPS REMARKSNumber Amount spent

(Rs.)

Headquarters MIS 78 2,79,895 To MIS students for excellence in academic & various other fields. This includes 8 freeships to volunteers’ children.

4 54,200 To needy children & volunteers’ children.

T.T. 20 1,06,100 To teacher-trainees getting training in the Mirambika Teacher Training Institute.

V.T. 98 1,76,400 To vocational trainees learning one of the 8 different trades in the Sri Aurobindo Institute of Vocational Training.

Misc. 23 1,19,498 To those doing miscellaneous academic and other courses as follows :

(a) IGNOU courses......................4(b) Open School & other Delhi

Schools, other schools...........4(c) Music......................................3(c) Mountaineering,

Water Sports...........................4(e) Yoga.......................................1(f) Other courses..........................7

..................................................Total.....................................23

Total 7,36,093

Pondicherry 11 57,530 For different academic coursesKoraput 1 10,000 For an academic courseKatni 2 17,000 For different academic coursesNainital 22 1,17,394 For different academic courses

GRAND TOTAL 9,38,017

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SPONSORSHIPS

UNIT SPONSORSHIPS REMARKSNumber Amount spent

(Rs.)

Headquarters — — —Pondicherry — — —Koraput 86 8,35,500 For different academic coursesKatni 18 1,60,000 For different academic courses

GRAND TOTAL 104 9,95,500

We trust you find the report interesting. As you must have noticed a lot of toil and effort has gone into the work. We thank everyone who has worked towards carrying forward the aims and objectives of our Society.

(INDU PILLAY) (ANIL JAUHAR) SECRETARY CHAIRMAN

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