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The Ashram school started in 1943 because some disciples brought their young children during the war (WW II) to the Ashram and some education was needed for them. In December 1950, after Sri Aurobindo left His body, the Mother wanted to have a University in His name. So a Convention was held in April 1951 to work out the procedure. This university was later renamed 'Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education'. Thus SAICE came into being.

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24th April 1951 The Mother at the convention Pavitra, Pranab, Udar

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Inauguration Speeches at the Convention - 24th April 1951 Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education

Surendra Mohan Ghosh, S. Jauhar, Navajata, Shyama prasad Mukherjee, Madhav, Soli Albless, Nolini, Pavitra, Amiyo, Pranab, Udar

Inaugural Message for the Sri Aurobindo Memorial Convention

- 24th April 1951.

Sir Aurobindo is present in our midst, and with all the power of his creative genius he presides over the formation of the University Centre which for years he considered as one of the best means of preparing the future humanity to receive the supramental light that will transform the elite of today into a new race manifesting upon earth the new light and force and life.

In his name I open today this convention meeting here with the purpose of realising one of his most cherished ideals.

- The Mother -

(CWM 12.112)

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Opening of S.A.I.C.E.

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The Mother cutting the ribbon Inauguration of ASICE - 16th Jan. 1952

Front: Counouma, Jotindra, Tara, Laxshman, Udar, Soli

Back: Gauri, Bubu, Jhumur, Nolini sen, Chandubhai

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The Mother on 16th Jan. 1952 in the school


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The Mother at the School - 16th Jan. 1952 Pratip, Ajjt, Chitra, Pavitra, Sisir, Udar

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Inauguration of ASICE - 16th Jan. 1952

Front: Counouma, Jotindra, Tara, Laxshman, Udar,

Back: Nolini, Gauri, Bubu, Pavitra, Jhumur

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Sri Aurobindo has taught us that knowledge exists within us and has only to be awakened. That is the main approach of our whole system of education. The teacher is there not to put knowledge into the students but to help awaken that which is already there in each of them. The teacher is really the guide rather than the instructor. Our present Course of Engineering is envisaged as of six years' duration after the equivalent of pre-university course... Above all, it must be remembered that the science of engineering deals with material objects and material forces which are not really automata following inexorable laws but which have their own secret consciousness. It is our endeavor to discover these inner mystic recesses and sources of action and by identifying our own consciousness with theirs to serve and be served by them.

-Udar-

(extract from his talk to the students)

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Mother at the school - 6th Jan. 1952 Shane, Ajjt, Sisir, Udar, Pavitra

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Scientific Experiment - Dec. 1971

There were so many things Udar did that it would make a long list to enumerate them all. He loved to start an activity and when things were established he moved on to other things. But, what is important for us to remember is that he was a teacher too. For a number of years he taught engineering in the School. He was always in touch with the activities of the school since he wrote about all the cultural events, and in general about anything that happened in the Ashram, in the quarterly reports of the Bulletin of the SAICE.

Scientific Experiment - Dec. 1971

- Golden Chain -

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At Knowledge

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Visit of prime Minister J. Nehru to the School 13th June 1963 Sisir, Pavitra

Convention





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Prime Minister Indra Gandhi visiting the school 12th Dec. 1972

This bringing down of a new consciousness into the world and the awakening of even the consciousness of Matter is one of the high aims of our Yoga. It is the greatest adventure and experiment the human race has ever attempted. Is not this an object worthy of the support and encouragement of all men of vision? Our country has no dearth of such men. The great achievements of our Rishis in the past were possible because of the benign conditions which surrounded them. That inheritance cannot wither and our sacred land will blossom into a new richness and the realisation that Matter and Spirit are not divided but only two poles of the same Reality.

-Udar-

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Prime Minister Indra Gandhi visiting the school 12th Dec. 1972

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Exhibition Hall

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Exhibition House - 15th Aug. 1956

A salt godown was bought and transformed into an Exhibition Hall to house the numerous photographic and art exhibitions that were, and still are, put up by members of the Ash ram or visiting artists.

Astronomy

In the early days of the Ashram in the evenings there were no programs or television to watch. I became interested in star gazing. Udar started helping me to know and recognise the stars and the constellations. This activity turned into regular classes. I bought some elementary books and Udar ordered some books with more detailed information in astronomy. Sometimes he used to fix a telescope on the Ashram terrace to study the galaxies. Later the telescope was shifted to the library terrace and everybody could go to see the solar or lunar eclipse whenever there was one.

- Lata -

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Astronomy - Library terrace

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