India is about to celebrate Independence Day. We will start the day by going to a bonfire at the Matrimandir at 4 a.m. Here we will have a chance to meditate with the words of The Mother and contemplate one's place in the universe.
Knowing that Independence Day was upon us, I picked up a novel on the partition of India which led to the creation of what is now Pakistan and Bangladesh. The book included a series of photographs taken by the famous American photographer Margaret Bourke-White. She was one the founding group of photographers with Life magazine.
She chronicled the devastating transition tat occurred as partition became a reality. Some 10 million people were on the move with Sikhs coming into what would be India and Muslims leaving for Pakistan. There would be religious strife and something in the order of a million people would die in the process. Villages that had been harmonious between religious groups were torn apart and former friends and neighbours became enemies.
The photographs are stark, terrifying and document a trail of death that is horrifying. I don't pretend to really understand partition. The line between India and Pakistan was arbitrary. India and Pakistan have had a tense relationship for much of their joint histories and it remains so today.
The Sri Aurobindo statute in Auroville
This history stands as a stark reminder that the history of the world is littered with these stories.
This past week I have had the privilege of running some focus groups here. It reminds me how exciting focus group processes can be as conversations lead to insight and creative thinking. What really struck me is how different each group was despite the consistent questions and topics. It was an enriching experience for me and reminds me of how lucky I am to get to participate in this community.
Next week, I am going to Chennai, some 3 hours north, to visit the Tulir Centre for the Prevention and Healing of Sexual Abuse. Their website is fascinating and helps one to see how many common themes exist around sexual abuse between India and the west. It also illustrates difference. Their site is worth a look - http://www.tulir.org
I look forward to giving you more details on Tulir after the visit.
Knowing that Independence Day was upon us, I picked up a novel on the partition of India which led to the creation of what is now Pakistan and Bangladesh. The book included a series of photographs taken by the famous American photographer Margaret Bourke-White. She was one the founding group of photographers with Life magazine.
She chronicled the devastating transition tat occurred as partition became a reality. Some 10 million people were on the move with Sikhs coming into what would be India and Muslims leaving for Pakistan. There would be religious strife and something in the order of a million people would die in the process. Villages that had been harmonious between religious groups were torn apart and former friends and neighbours became enemies.
The photographs are stark, terrifying and document a trail of death that is horrifying. I don't pretend to really understand partition. The line between India and Pakistan was arbitrary. India and Pakistan have had a tense relationship for much of their joint histories and it remains so today.
This history stands as a stark reminder that the history of the world is littered with these stories.
This past week I have had the privilege of running some focus groups here. It reminds me how exciting focus group processes can be as conversations lead to insight and creative thinking. What really struck me is how different each group was despite the consistent questions and topics. It was an enriching experience for me and reminds me of how lucky I am to get to participate in this community.
A walkway near us
Termites in their hollows
I look forward to giving you more details on Tulir after the visit.
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