Tracks Across Time Into The 21st Century

An Overview:

With the sanction and blessings of the Mother, the Institute of Human Study was started at Hyderabad in December 1964. It was registered under Public Societies’ Registration Act No.1 of 1350 Fasli (1965), with the Mother as its permanent Hon. President.

Its objective, among others, is not only to promote the study of all human problems in the light of an all-comprehensive higher consciousness but also to promote the progressive unification of the human race through an increasing awareness of its spiritual origins. All subjects are related to man’s integral progress and as such have to be studied in relation to his inner evolution and outer well-being paving the way to lasting peace and world fellowship.

This requires a comparative study of other relevant literature as well as an in-depth study and yogic understanding of the vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother and the direct application of Their outstanding and all-embracing message for a harmonious global future.

The office the Institute of Human Study is situated on the outskirts of Osmania University, Hyderabad, on a two acre plot. It has an infra-structure of buildings and facilities which could be estimated at about four crores at the present market value. The Institute is surrounded by many educational institutions.

My father, Prof. V. Madhusudan Reddy, who was the founder of the Institute of Human Study, had initiated five major projects:

• Sri Aurobindo International School:

This school runs classes from nursery to class X. It has about 1200 students and it is adjudged by the educational authorities and the parents as one of the best five schools in the city. It has been running very successfully for the past 35 years, sending its students to professional courses in India and abroad. It is also known for its pioneering attempts in integral education. In fact, it has started the New Creation School in the lines of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram School’s Free Progress System.

• Matridarshan:

It is proposed to be a residential school for about 300 children, giving education in a non-formal manner. A magnificent site of about 150 acres was purchased in 1979 for the purpose. It is amongst hills and dales situated about 90 kilometers away from Hyderabad , near Jangaon, in the Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh. At present mostly vocational training courses have been started in the areas of tailoring, carpentry etc. Health institutions of naturopathy and allopathy have been started for the purpose of the rural folks. Also, hundreds of fruit and flower have been developed in the area.

As the place is exceedingly beautiful, it is also being used as a retreat center as well as for National Integration Camps initiated by the Govt. of India. With adequate financial support and encouragement from NRIs and other funding agencies involved with education, this project Matridarshan could become an ideal place to impart a truly Indian culture as well as spiritual values.

• Aurodarshan, University of Tomorrow:

The vision of this university project was submitted to the Mother by Prof. V. Madhusudan Reddy and She graciously gave Her Blessings and full support to it. It is located in Medak District, AP about 100 km from Hyderabad, on a 25 acre plot, beside a very grand and peaceful lake.

No activity has as yet begun for paucity of funds as well as personnel. It is open to participation from any quarters.

• ‘Mankind on the March’ :

This project is to re-evaluate the history of human civilization in the light of Sri Aurobindo’s vision of history. History of the outer wars, kings and empires as such has no meaning until and unless it is considered as an of the unfolding of the Divine Consciousness. This review is envisaged in 12 volumes which will cover human efforts in different fields and in its upward march as a whole, cutting beyond the barriers of nations, cultures, religions etc.

This project too was submitted to the Mother by Prof. V Madhusudan Reddy and She gave Her sanction for it. This project itself requires around 20 lakhs and a few very dedicated scholars who have the understanding of Sri Aurobindo’s vision.

• Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research - SACAR:

As part of the research program of the Institute of Human Study, a research wing under the name of Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research - SACAR - was started at Pondicherry in 1996. It has been registered as a Non-Profitable Charitable Trust with the Sub-Registrar of Pondicherry. It has been recognized for tax exemption under section 80G.
 

S A C A R - Sri Aurobindo Center for Advanced Research, Pondicherry

Its need:

The first millennium has been for humanity one of the development of the physical-vital. The second has been one of the flowering of the mental faculties. The third one promises to be the spiritual.

In this context, it is imminent that the ancient Indian spiritual light and force have once again to be brought forth to the rescue of mankind. This ancient wisdom and the new consciousness that is at present manifesting are best represented in Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Therefore, there is an urgent need to take up intensive research programs in Sri Aurobindo’s vision of human life and destiny and to relate them to our day to day life as well as to link the vision to the main stream of human existence everywhere.

It is with this aim in view that we established in 1996 the Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research at Pondicherry.

It has for its objective an intensive research into the social, cultural and individual issues that are at present suffocating all countries in their present troubled state of transition. Solutions to such problems will be sought in the light of the eternal spiritual vision of India and the world. In this direction we would take up not only an in-depth study of the yogic and prophetic vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother but also try to apply Their universal and all embracing solutions for building a greater future. All allied thought from other cultures also would be studied in the light of the dynamic and integral vision of Sri Aurobindo.

Project Implementation and Schedule:

Towards establishing this research center, SACAR , we purchased a plot of about 5000 sft. at Kuruchikuppam, parallel to the sea beach road, in the northern part of Pondicherry. The bhoomi-pooja or the consecration ceremony was done by Dyumanbhai and Madhav Panditji on 29-02-1992.

By now the following rooms have been near- completed at the site:

• Library (about 8000 books)
• Seminar Hall
• Conference Room
• Pantry
• Computer Room
• In-charge Room
• Director’s Office
• Reception.

We need to complete further five class-lecture rooms on the second floor and an audio-video library room. This building, with all the above facilities and furnishing is estimated at Rs. 65 lakhs.

SACAR’s Present Activities:

• To invite research scholars from different Universities in India and abroad who would be interested to do work on their MA, M. Phil., Ph.D. thesis in the light of Sri Aurobindo’s Vision.
   
• To guide all those who are interested in having a deeper understanding of Sri Aurobindo’s vision in different fields such as philosophy, psychology, literature, art, sociology, education, futurology etc.
   
• To hold regular workshops of 4 to 6 days for small batches of university or college or school teachers - about 25 - with a view to give them an orientation course in Integral Education.
   
• To promote seminars, lectures and workshops on the vision and work of spiritual stalwarts of India and other countries.
   
• To publish our journal New Race whose name was given by the Mother.
   
• To publish books and articles written by the research scholars of SACAR and others in the field.
   
• To organize an audio-video library consisting of talks on the vision of Sri Aurobindo as well as a regular library of books on their vision by different authors.
   
• To give  chapter-wise summary talks on The Life Divine.
   
• To give talks in different centers of learning in India and abroad.
   
• To conduct in depth study classes on the major works of Sri Aurobindo: The Life Divine, The Synthesis of Yoga, Savitri, Essays on the Gita, The Mother.

As most of the above-mentioned activities are in their initial stages they are self-sustaining. Later, donations and contributions and some fees may sustain and develop these and other activities. It is of immediate importance to finish the present construction work so that SACAR may start on its mission with a full swing. For this a seed-amount is required from you.

Future Funding Required:

Amounts required for the construction and development of the Sri Aurobindo Centre for Advanced Research at Pondicherry are as mentioned below:

Particulars Donation Required  Remarks 1) Completion. First Phase Rs. 35,00,000 Rs. 20,00,000 Second Phase 2) Furnishing and equipping Rs. 10,00,000 per annum 3) Scholarships For Three at Rs. 10,000 per month Rs.  3,60,000   4) Project In-charge at Rs 12000 per month Rs.  1,44,000 per annum 5)Workshops Rs.    25,000 per annum 6) Publications /Audio Cassettes etc. Rs.    75,000 per annum 7) New Race Journal: Four Issues Rs.    40,000 per annum 8) Teacher’s Training Courses (Two) Rs.    50,000 per annum

Current funding is basically from two sources:

• From the part- income of the Sri Aurobindo International School that is run by the Institute of Human Study at Hyderabad.
   
• From donors and well-wishers and trusts in different parts of India and abroad.

We are approaching different foundations and trusts requesting them to patronize on a long-term or permanent basis any one or two activities of SACAR as given above. For this due, recognition of the foundation and trust will be given by SACAR.

Personnel:

Research Advisory Committee:

Prof. M. V. Nadkarni……Chairperson
Shri Kireet Joshi
Dr. Chamanlal Gupta
Prof. R Balasubramanian
Dr. Prema Nandakumar
Prof. V. Kutumba Sastry
Dr. V. Ananda Reddy…...Convener

Panel of Resource Persons of SACAR:

1. Dr. A.S. Dalal
2. Prof. N. Jayashanmugam
3. Prof. Chandrasekhar Rath
4. Prof. Sachidananda Mohanty
5. Prof. R.Y.Deshpande
6. Dr. Matthijs Cornelissen
7. Dr. Ananda Reddy
8. Dr. Larry Seidlitz
9. Dr. P.Raja
10. Dr. Soumitra Basu
11. Dr. Alok Pandey
12. Neeltje

Project’s Contribution:

The duration and the extent of SACAR’s work is not time bound. It can be perennial depending upon the persons involved in it and the funds inflow.

 SACAR has a uniqueness about it because it has adapted largely an academic approach to the dispersion of Sri Aurobindo’s thought and vision unlike other organizations which are a mixture of devotional centers and some academic work. This approach gives SACAR a wider and a more objective purview of the different problems and projects it plans to take up in the future. This way it could reach out to all sectors humanity beyond the circle of Aurobindonians.

The greatest advantage is that it is situated in Pondicherry - in the very physical aura of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Hence, scholars coming to SACAR can have both, an in-search and research simultaneously. It will be an intellectual effort in research combined with an inner perception of life.

Progress Reports:

A regular annual report will be prepared by the director of SACAR concerning the works done and achieved and will be submitted to whoever is patron or donor for review of the grant given or for grant renewal. If required the audited balance sheet of the expenditure and income of SACAR could be submitted.

NOTA BONA:

ALL DONATIONS TO ANY OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED PROJECTS OF THE INSTITUTE OF HUMAN STUDY MUST BE ROUTED THROUGH THE SPECIFIC TRUST ONLY:

SACAR TRUST
MATRI DARSHAN TRUST
AURODARSHAN TRUST
SRI AUROBINDO ANANDAMAYI TRUST for all building construction works at Pondicherry meant for SACAR .

The donations or offerings may be sent by crossed checks or demand drafts and mailed to:

DR. ANANDA REDDY
DIRECTOR, SACAR
1, PAPAMMAL KOIL STREET ,
KURUCHKUPPAM,
PONDICHERRY- 605012 ,  INDIA

TEL : 0413---225543 ( R )  0413—348067 ( W )
EMAIL :