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The Secretary's Report for the year 2006-2007 was placed before the 32nd Annual General Meeting of Sri Aurobindo Institute of Culture, held on 31st August 2007 at 3, Regent Park, Kolkata - 700 040.
The Annual General Meeting is held on the birthday of our Founder Chairman, Shri Pradyot Kumar Bhattacharya (Pradyot da).
| 29.Mar.07 | -- | The Mother's First Arrival Day in Pondicherry Collective Meditation |
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| 21.Feb.07 | Darshan Day | The Mother's 129th Birth Anniversary Collective Meditation - Devotional Songs by Smt. Swapna Ghoshal |
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| Galerie La Mère | 'Parama 2007' An exhibition of paintings and drawings by lady Artists |
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| 5.Dec.06 | Darshan Day | Sri Aurobindo's withdrawal from the Physical body Collective Meditation Devotional songs by Sri Shantanu Bhattacharya and Smt. Durba Bhattacharya |
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| 24.Nov.06 | Darshan Day | Siddhi day Collective Meditation Devotional songs by Smt. Pubali Mukhopadhyay |
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| 17.Nov.06 | Darshan Day | The Mother's withdrawal from the Physical body Collective Meditation |
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| 15.Aug.06 | Darshan Day | Sri Aurobindo's 134th Birth Anniversary Collective Meditation - Patriotic Songs by Pandit Arun Bhaduri Charts on Sri Aurobindo by T.F.F.S. children |
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| Galerie La Mère | 'Freedom 2006' - an exhibition of paintings and drawings. | ||
| 24.Jun.06 | -- | Sri Aurobindo's Relics Enshrining Anniversary Collective Meditation |
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| Galerie La Mère | An exhibition of paintings and drawings by Young artists | ||
| 24.Apr.06 | Darshan Day | The Mother's Final Arrival day in Pondicherry Collective Meditation Devotional songs by Smt Nupurchhanda Ghosh |
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| 4.Apr.06 | -- | Sri Aurobindo's First Arrival day in Pondicherry Collective Meditation |
Collective Meditation is arranged around Sri Aurobindo's Shrine twice daily.
Sri Aurobindo Institute of Culture has been a centre for cultural activities since long. Artists from various disciplines have assembled at the Institute at different times to perform and to teach. A home away from home for them, they have not only enriched the lives of the people at the Institute but have come away enriched themselves. At the Institute, cultural activities are seen not only as a means of self expression but also of expressing god of life - a vibrant, colourful adoration of god.
Galerie La Mère hosted a number of exhibitions during this period.
Exhibition by lady artists inaugurated on The Mother's Birthday
Solo Exhibition of Shri Ramananda Bandyopadhyay dedicated to Joya di on her birth anniversary
Theme of this exhibition is Goddess Durga
Exhibition inaugurated on Sri Aurobindo's Birthday
Other Exhibitions
Photographic exhibition on Pradyot da
This was to commemorate Pradyot da's Birth Centenary
A preview exhibition of paintings and drawings by Shri Hiran Mitra Inauguration by Shri Sankha Ghosh
Shakti Centre session starts from June. Students performed well in examinations conducted by Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad and Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh. 52 students appeared for the Prayaga Sangeet Samiti examinations - of which 41 got 1st division and 63 students appeared for the Pracheen Kala Kendra examinations - of which 53 got distinction and 6 received 1st division.
On the Foundation Day of the Centre, November 14, 2005, the students prayed 'Make of us the hero warriors…' around the Shrine. Students of the drawing class were taken to Galerie La Mère allowing the 'young artists' to develop an appreciation of the work of other eminent artists.
The Centre is proud to have a talented student Mitrabho Guha, who is just 5 years old. He is not only a good synthesizer player but also a very good chess player. His name featured in Ganashakti - a local newspaper.
The Annual Cultural Programme by the students of Shakti Centre was held on January 5 and 6, 2007. Sanjukta Panigrahi Memorial Dance Competition was held on January 14, 2007. Maya Mitra Memorial Instrumental Music Competition was held on January 15, 2007 and Sanjukta Panigrahi Memorial Dance Competition was held on January 21, 2007. Prizes and gifts were distributed.
Other programmes organised by the Institute during the year
On 17th June, 'Kavisandhi' was held in the Hall of Light. The Programme was jointly organized with Sahitya Akademi. Prof. Jayanta Mahapatra recited some of his choicest poems and kept the audience spell bound.
On 5th July, a Cultural evening was held with songs of Atulprasad Sen, Rajanikanto Sen, Dwijendralal Roy and Dilip Kumar Roy.
On 9th July, the 110th Birth Anniversary of Srimat Anirban was observed. Prof. Supriya Bhattacharya of Kalyani University spoke on the Vedas.
Birth Anniversary of Dwijendralal Roy was observed on 19th July. Dr. Govindagopal Mukhopadhyay spoke on the occasion. Many important artists including the students of the Institute participated.
Birth Anniversary of Rajanikanto Sen was observed on 26th July. It was jointly organized with Madhura, Calcutta. Shri Dilip Kumar Roy spoke on the occasion. Many important artists including the students of the Institute participated.
Birth Anniversary of Atulprasad Sen was observed on 20th October in Calcutta. Shri Sushil Chattopadhyay spoke on the occasion. Many important artists including the students of the Institute participated.
Birth Anniversary of Dilip Kumar Roy was observed on 20th January. Dr. Sudhir Chakraborty spoke on the occasion. Many important artists including the students of the Institute participated.
Other programmes organised in collaboration
"Special Orations" was introduced from this year in collaboration with Management Centre for Human Values, IIM Calcutta. Prof. Swapan Mazumdar spoke on "Humanism, Technology and Globalisation" on 2nd Spetember. Prof. Anuradha Chanda was the Chairperson.
Prof. Ramchandra Gandhi spoke on "Self and Violence" in the Second Oration on 16th December. Prof. Amiya Dev chaired the meeting.
Indira Devi Chowdhurani Memorial Lecture was introduced in collaboration with Indira, Calcutta. Prof. Sudhir Chakraborty delivered the inaugural Lecture on 30th September at Hall of Light. Shri Nirendranath Chakraborty presided over the occasion.
Yoga classes were conducted under the guidance of Trainer, Mr. Monoj Roy , son of Late Mr. Universe Manotosh Roy. Enthusiasm for participation in Yogasana continues as before. The student strength in the past year has been around 41 on an average per month. Classes are held once a week (Wednesday).
Regular discourses organised during the year
The following classes and discourses were held on a regular basis:
The Institute runs language classes in French and English.
Sri Aurobindo Institute of Culture has a well-stocked library with books on Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. Total strength is 524 members. Some books on Sri Aurobindo and fiction were purchased during the Book Fair.
Rabindranath's Birthday Celebration
Rabindra Jayanti was celebrated on May 9, 2005.
Providing education to children is one of the most important activities of Sri Aurobindo Institute of Culture. The major problem in Education in India is that it is far too theoretical; there is hardly any application of the knowledge that is acquired in the class room.
The school believes that Value Education, co-curricular activities and physical Education are no less important than academic pursuits. Participation in co-curricular activity classes and clubs, where applicable, and Value Education and Physical Education classes is mandatory.
The two schools have been going through a change in educational pedagogy. The educational transaction is divided into three parts viz. Nursery and Classes I and II, Classes III to VII and Classes VIII to XII.
Teachers have been attending study circles on a regular basis in order to implement Sri Aurobindo's philosophy on education.
Theme-based learning - Nursery, KG, classes I to III
Children in the Nursery and Primary School - upto Class III - are being taught through a thematic approach. Teachers plan the classes well in advance using resource books and the Internet to incorporate experiential learning and learning by 'doing'. Learning is not compartmentalized into subjects but integrated as a whole including all life skills. Field trips, hands-on working and worksheets are being extensively used. Children up to Class II are not required to use textbooks but learn through the in-depth study of a theme.
Some of the Themes used in this session are :
Class I - All around me and Food.
Class II - My school garden and Food.
Class III - Names, Olympics and Flights.
Project based learning - Classes IV to VI
Classes IV, V and VI work on Project based methods. Projects are thematic and interdisciplinary. Apart from usual classroom activities children are given projects to work upon where they use the available resource books and the Internet to go beyond textbooks. Projects are carefully planned and presented, for instance:
Class IV - Books, Olympics and Solar System.
Class V - Time, Olympics, Trees, Farming, Animals.
Class VI - Relationships , Rivers
Project-based learning merging with prescribed curriculum - Senior School
Senior Classes work on projects as per the requirement of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations. Students of Classes XI and XII take this opportunity to learn beyond curriculum and textbooks. Practical Classes are held for all Science subjects and Geography. Children hold Seminars and Group Discussions in classrooms, which train them for future needs. Skits and role-plays are often used as tools to present learning. Field Trips are organized to supplement books and study materials. Teachers often use the Internet to obtain additional study material for their students. Evaluation is done through worksheets and the formal examination system.
Life Skills classes help children to look after themselves and their basic needs. Children learn to wash and fold their clothes, clean and polish their shoes. Basic skills like table laying, stitching buttons, bed making and packing school bags are also part of the Life Skills curriculum. Children learn to manage time and provide first aid in their life skills classes. Checking Blood pressure, managing an unconscious person etc. are the skills they also acquire.
The trips are educative and informative.
April 2006: Adventure Camp at Nainital which is organized by Sri Aurobindo Ashram Delhi Branch - Outgoing Class X.
27.11.2006 - 05.12.2006: Trip to Pondicherry - Class IX.
On 23.11.2006 - 26.11.2006: Trip to Ushagram- Class VIII
Three teachers and one student (Rajarshi Banerjee, Cl X B) attended the First International Conference on Integrated Value Education organized by the Art of Living Foundation at Bangalore from
June 26 to June 28, 2006. The Conference was jointly organised by UNESCO & MHRD. It witnessed an unprecedented congregation of educationists, entrepreneurs, social workers and government
representatives from different corners of the planet. The sessions discussed various nuances of imparting
values to young and not so young learners.
From January 2007 to March 2007, a series of workshops were held in the School for teachers to bring about further changes in pedagogical methods in line with Sri Aurobindo's philosophy.
We believe the child's education is incomplete without co-curricular activities.
Co-curricular activity classes are held on Saturdays. The co-curricular programme includes classes in Western Vocal, Synthesizer, Violin, Chess, Public Speaking, Visual Arts, Dramatics, Photography, Karate and Quiz. There is a plan to extend the working hours of CCA classes to give more options to the children like - Scouts & Guides, Violin, Yoga, Junior Public Speaking, Art & Craft and Western Classical Dance. Participation in co-curricular classes is mandatory.
CCA display was held on December 30, 2006 as a part of Aspiration. Dramatics children staged a play on the political life of Sri Aurobindo. Inter-school chess competition was held on the school grounds. Children played tunes of patriotic songs on violins & synthesizers. An intra school quiz competition was held in the Hall of Light.
The ongoing activities for the Interact Club included visit to Navanir, an old-age home, celebrating 'Rakhi' at Cheshire Homes, medical camp at Charu Market Police Station and celebrating 'Ratha-yatra' at Atma Vikas School.
The following activities were undertaken by the Earth Lovers:
Knowledge Conclave - Venue: Science City. Children put up a stall showcasing a model of the Rain-Water Harvesting System of our school and posters on Water Conservation. They also made a presentation based on a verse, generating environmental awareness.
Earth Day Celebrations- Inter House Poster Competition on biodiversity. Children presented themselves as the five elements of the Earth and spoke on the same. Thereafter they were taken to Nandan to watch a film called 'Earthling'.
Environmental Awareness Campaign - Venue: Bijoygarh and Golf Green. Posters, street play, songs, dances, and recitation were organized to generate awareness among local people about the adverse impact of felling of trees and filling of water bodies.
Healthy can be Tasty too - Venue: Stall at the school ground during Aspiration. Children prepared various low-fat, nutritious but tasty food items like Coriander Dumplings, Chilla, Green Idli, Sprout Bhel and Fruits in Date Syrup.
Wealth from Waste - Venue: Stall at the school ground during Aspiration. Children recycled various articles and prepared masks, paper bags, paper-weights, decorative items, wrapping papers, vermi-compost, photo frames etc. These articles were put up for sale. Emphasis was given on the Five 'R's - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse and Recover.
Teachers participated in a Workshop on "Importance of East Kolkata Wetlands" organized by West Bengal Pollution Control Board and WWF.
Trip to Sundarbans organized by WWF. Visited Lothian Island, Saptamukhi river, Bhagabatpur Crocodile Breeding Centre.
Children participated in Biodiversity Fair organized by Government of West Bengal and Association for Social and Environmental Development, Venue : Nandan II. Illustrated talk show on "Biodiversity hotspots in Kolkata".
On April 28 2006, the students participated in Milaap, an interschool fest organized by SPICMACAY Kolkata, emphasizing on the various aspects of Indian culture. Virasat, 2006 held in Nov.-Dec 2006: In this month long cultural celebration held under the auspices of SPICMACAY the school hosted the following events:
Sambalpuri Folk Dance on November, 21 2006
Talk on Traditional Indian Performances by Prof. Ananda Lal on November, 23 2006
Animal Mask Dance on November, 28 2006
Santoor recital by Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya accompanied on the Tabla by Pt. Subrata Bhattacharya on 3 Dec. 2006
Smt. Mala Bhattacharya conducted a workshop on glass painting, T-shirt painting and pottery painting through the months of December 2006, January 2007and February 2007.
April 2006:Frank Anthony Memorial All India Inter School Debate (Category I, Pool B II) where The Future Foundation School
was the Host School and 9 Schools across Kolkata participated. The Best School was Assam Valley School and
Runners Up were La Martiniere for Boys.
July 2006: Jog Biyog quiz contest organized by Doordarshan Kendra.
Pogo Amazing Kids Contest.
Aug. 2006:Albert Barrow Memorial - All India Inter-School Creative Writing Competition - 2006: Aishani Roy, a student of Class
X won the second prize. Her essay, 'My Ideal Woman' was one of the best 10 essays and was
published in the Albert Barrow magazine 'The 21st Century Woman'.
Aug. 2006:The Derozio Memorial Extempore Speech Contest was held and Pratiti Dasgupta of Class IX participated in
the same. These are 3 prestigious events held annually by the Council and many schools participate in them.
Sept. 2006: Inter School Art Contest at DPS (Ruby Park). Clay Modelling by Aneesh Chatterjee, Sambit Poddar both of V B.
Oct. 2006: Drawing Competition organized by CINI. Six drawings were selected for an exhibition at Oxford Book Store.
Nov. 2006: Science Quiz Jigyasa, Participants - Aritra Basu & Souvik Kr. Mitra (XI B)
Nov. 2006: British Council organized a public lecture by Prof Sir Roger Penrose 'Beyond the Big Bang". The seminar was
attended by 8 students of Class XII and 3 accompanying teachers. The overflowing auditorium gave an ovation and in his ninety minute delivery, the seventy year old professor held the audience spellbound. He discussed different theories about origin of universe, vanishing black holes, light cones and expanding Universe. It was an experience of a lifetime to be part of such a rare occasion.
Dec. 2006: The Great TTIS Challenge. Anushka Laha (V B) won 2nd prize in Cartoon Drawing whilst Teesta Lahiri (V B) won the 3rd prize in creative writing
Dec. 2006: Young Author Contest organized by ITC- there were a few lakh participants, Biboswan Bose (XI A) stood 2nd (All
India ranking). Eminent personalities like Ruskin Bond were present at the award giving ceremony.
Inter School/Inter House Competitions were organized twice a year in September and March. Activities included Dance, Music (Vocal & Instrumental), Drawing, Craft, Maths Quiz, General Quiz, Sports Quiz, Antakshari, One Act Play, Elocution, Chess and Physical activities.
Classes were taken to enhance physical development, concentration, neuro-muscular skills, breathing skills. After school, games were organised in the school compound. These included Basketball, Football, Kho-Kho, Volleyball, Badminton, Table-tennis etc.
The children have been involved in Inter House Table Tennis Tournament, Inter-House Patterson Memorial Table Tennis Championship, Inter-House Kho-Kho Tournament, Inter-House Badminton Tournament and Inter-House Volleyball Tournament.
An important event was the Inter-School Mini Olympic Khelar Mela from December 12 to 31, 2006. The Kho-Kho teams under 16 years and under 13 years (girls) won the 1st position. Aparajita Bhattacharya won the first prize in "Article writing on sports".
Career Counselling is an important part of Senior School. The objective of career counselling is to identify the aptitudes and interests and to suggest career options. A programme was held in April 2006 where the students went through an aptitude test, seminar and individual counselling. A career identification report was submitted. The students have benefited and have managed to assess and choose their career accordingly.
Psychological support through the school cousellor
A Counsellor visits the school twice a week to help children with learning difficulties and adolescent problems. 120 students were given various counselling sessions out of which 40 children had supportive counselling. 26 students showed good progress. There was a group discussion session with senior students regarding sex education. Parents and teachers were also counselled whenever the occasion arose.
Scholarships were awarded for excellence in academics and integral excellence for the ICSE and ISC outgoing batch.
BANDANA SEN MEMORIAL AWARD
ICSE-Deepasri Bhattacharya -1000/-
ISC-Hiran Mayee R. -1000/-
This award has been instituted by Dr.Sankar Kumar Sen in memory of his wife. It is awarded to two girl students, one from the outgoing ICSE & the other from the outgoing ISC batch. It is awarded to girls who were not only good in academics but also excelled in extra-curricular activities and whose conduct was good. They should have been a student of this school for a minimum of three consecutive years.
KRISNABANDHU DAS MEMORIAL AWARD-600/-
Shubhagata Das - Highest in ICSE Maths & Science
SUSHILA BALA DAS MEMORIAL AWARD--600/-
Juhi Dutta -Highest in ICSE Maths and Science amongst girls.
The preceding two awards have been instituted by Shri Soumen Das in memory of his parents
The trophy is awarded to the best performing house where students' performance in games and curriculum activities are taken into consideration. In 2006, Green House was judged to be the best performing House.
The Alumni met twice, in May and December. There were games, cultural programmes, and lunch. At the meeting, they were briefed on the various activities of the school. Some of the alumni also spoke about their lives and achievements. The alumni also took a resolution to be ever supportive of their School.
Health & Healing unit of Sri Aurobindo Institute of Culture continued to provide integrated health service to poor and needy people in the area. Service was provided in allopathic medicine, alternative medicine, preventive health care and health development.
Allopathy Medicine
Our panel of specialists continued to provide services on out-patient basis. They came on their scheduled days for treating the patients -the schedule varies from one to two days in a week. In all 2375 people have undergone treatment.
General health check-up of all the students of Arun Nursery School and The Future Foundation School was performed by our General Physician in batches as per the schedule drawn up in consultation with School Coordinators. Further, those students with problems in areas of Eye, ENT or Dental were examined and treated by appropriate specialists. A health card was prepared and handed over to the guardians for their information and follow-up, if found necessary. 864 students underwent health check-up during the Year.
This activity was carried out in collaboration with Department of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of West Bengal. In addition to double antigen, triple antigen, anti-tetanus, anti-polio vaccines, Hepatitis -B was also administered free of charge. Immunization of 1087 children was performed during the year.
Sri Aurobindo Research Centre
It was in the early 1990s that Joyadi made a landmark contribution to the advancement of research on Sri Aurobindo as a revolutionary national leader in the first decade of the twentieth century. In 1997, which was Sri Aurobindo's 125th Birth Anniversary year, Joyadi unearthed a vast amount of material related to the Alipore Bomb Case (1908-09), at the Judges' Court at Alipore. A Research Centre was set up in 1997 at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Culture with the aim of highlighting "Revolutionary work in Bengal" at the turn of the 20th century and Sri Aurobindo's contribution to it.
Commemorative plaque at 23, Scott Lane has been refurbished.
Sri Aurobindo Parichay Gallery
This gallery set up in 1997 presents a son-et-lumiere exposition on Sri Aurobindo's life, with particular reference to the Indian Freedom Movement in the first decade of the 20th century. Authentic arms and ammunition have been replicated ;the cell in Presidency Jail and the Alipore Courtroom have been recreated in a rare historical account that promises to transport the viewer into an epoch of patriotism, valour and sacrifice for the Motherland.
This is a must-see for all lovers of history and those who want to know more about the Indian freedom struggle.
Bulletin
The Institute published a bulletin "India - Freedom and Beyond" with a bimonthly periodicity.
The Institute conveys its heartfelt thanks to all individuals who directly or indirectly help in the efficient running of the various activities by actions and prayers.
Finally, it is The Mother, our Permanent President, who has the ultimate responsibility. May we be faithful.
Secretary's Report 2006-07