Latest news with #Auroville
India.com
29-05-2025
- India.com
6 Motorcycle Road Trips From Chennai City For An Adventurous Weekend
As the capital and cultural center of Tamil Nadu Chennai provides ideal conditions to begin exciting motorcycle excursions. Motorcycle enthusiasts find the routes surrounding Chennai to be exhilarating paths for adventure so they can spend exciting time exploring them. Multiple exciting destinations exist near Chennai which you can enjoy by driving your motorcycle to spend unforgettable weekends at any of them. Generate a collection of the premier motorcycle open-road options departing from Chennai below. 1. Mahabalipuram The UNESCO World Heritage Site district of Mahabalipuram (or Mamallapuram) exists approximately 60 kilometers south of Chennai because of its rock-cut temples and elaborate stone carvings. A journey that lasts 1.5 hours along East Coast Road (ECR) exposes visitors to picturesque views of the Bay of Bengal. The most significant attractions in Mahabalipuram consist of Shore Temple alongside Pancha Rathas and Arjuna's Penance. The destination provides an ideal experience of cultural ruins and coastal relaxation and natural landscapes through its short-distance accessibility. 2. Pondicherry Travelers can easily reach Pondicherry which has now become Puducherry by taking ECR for approximately 160 kilometers. As a former French colony this city showcases colonial buildings with European cultural traditions mixed with local Indian customs and it features both cosmopolitan promenades and sites for spiritual development including Auroville. Traveling along smooth roads along scenic views proves to be an enjoyable four-hour drive. You should try traditional French pastries during your stay and find them at the bakeries in town. 3. Yelagiri Hills Yelagiri Hills stands as an excellent getaway that lies 220 kilometers west of Chennai offering visitors forested landscapes and refreshing temperatures. Tourists visiting Yelagiri can enjoy mountain panoramas and forest hiking paths while admiring Swamimalai Lake and its peaceful waters which rest at 1,400 meters elevation. You can experience thrilling motorcycle activities on the serpent ghat roads which maneuver through forested areas and decorative towns on the way to Yelagiri. Your weekend will combine camping beneath night stars with thrilling paragliding experiences. 4. Kanchipuram Kanchipuram serves as one of the seven sacred Indian cities while becoming a haven for tourists who love history and religious encounters because it stands 75 kilometers southwest from Chennai. The town is cherished for having two important temples namely Ekambareswarar Temple and Kamakshi Amman Temple while preserving magnificent Dravidian architectural masterpieces. The well-kept highways provide travelers with two hours of pleasant driving conditions. Bike parking in the temple town allows you to experience leisurely cycling through its grounds. 5. Vellore Fort Located west of Chennai at a 140 kilometer distance from Chennai stands Vellore Fort as one of the prominent sites of Vellore which was built in the 16th century. Within its surrounding moat-like barrier this fort includes both religious buildings such as church and mosque and Hindu temple structures which demonstrate harmonious interfaith relations. The journey brings you past charming agricultural areas with multiple villages along the way. Visiting Vellore Fort has ample time remaining besides seeing Jalakandeswarar Temple since this travel requires approximately three hours maximum. 6. Kotagiri & Ooty Travellers who want to spend more time during their weekend should visit Ooty together with Kotagiri at the Nilgiri Hills range. Visitors need to spend at least one night in these mountain destinations which lie 500 kilometers southwest of Chennai city because they deliver unforgettable experiences. Your motorcycle will face several difficulties before rewarding you with breathtaking mountain views from within the challenging hairpin road course. The attraction possibilities at your destination include toy train journeys together with tea estate journeys paired with boat exploration at Ooty Lake. Conclusion The city of Chennai presents various attractions including historic sites along with natural parks and mountain destinations which make it ideal for road excursion by motorbike. Riding to different destinations gives travelers three distinct types of experiences that involve spending time in natural regions or experiencing local cultures or experiencing the excitement of different road types. Proper planning and adherence to safety guidelines make motorcycle trips into everlasting pleasant memories. Start your weekend by readying your vehicle and igniting your engine before hitting the adventurous road where fantastic sights remain untold in the distance.
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- The Hindu
Auroville's summer workshops train youth in new technologies
The Auroville Institute of Applied Technology (AIAT), which offers Bachelor of Vocation ( in future technologies, has concluded a round of free short-term summer internships for young students in cutting-edge domains. A press note from Auroville said the workshops that attracted over 50 students from in and around Puducherry and the Auroville bioregion are an initiative supported by the Auroville Foundation under the Ministry of Education, seeking to level up technological knowledge and contribute to a smarter nation. The courses were aimed at students aged 13 years and above and provided hands-on exposure in fields, such as 3D printing, robotics and drones. Each workshop was of one-week duration and imparted practical learning with the aim to equip the participants with future-ready skills. The sessions also focused on grooming them as ethical leaders with tools and templates of transformational leadership, so that technology is turned into a force of good. The short course on 3D Printing and Modelling led participants to explore additive manufacturing, design and create their own 3D models using software like TinkerCAD, and learn how 3D printers function. Apart from initiation into slicing software (Cura) and various printing materials and techniques, the workshop covered the fascinating process of converting real-world objects into digital models and back again. The electronics workshop equipped students with the fundamental principles of electronics and their practical applications. They learned to calculate and design simple circuits and gained valuable hands-on experience in practical electronics and soldering, culminating in building a custom board to charge their own phones. The Robotics and Drones course explored the core components and logic behind robotics. Participants were taught basic programming for robots that enabled them to control robots for various tasks, such as driving, path following, obstacle detection, maze escaping, and even colour sorting, using Mindstorm robots and robotic arms. The workshop also introduced students to the world of drones, including the principles of autonomous flight, and provided an introduction to using Computer Vision to analyse and understand the surrounding environment. According to Sanjeev Ranganathan, an alumnus of IIT Madras who heads AIAT and SAIIER, these workshops, which align with the National Education Policy, reflect AIAT's philosophy of providing quality education and bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. The courses offered by AIAT combine 40% theoretical education with 60% practical training across four specialised streams — Software Development and Machine Learning, Applied Electronics and Chip Design, Green Energy and Electrical Systems, and Production Technology. Students who have been part of previous workshops and training at AIAT and its partner, Auroville-based C3STREAM Land Designs had found that the workshop filled gaps in the regular engineering courses, the press note said.
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Madhya Pradesh delegation to deepen collaboration with Auroville in holistic education and sustainable practices
A delegation from the Madhya Pradesh Education Department recently visited the Auroville Foundation to explore partnerships in holistic education and sustainable development. A press note from Auroville Foundation said the team, comprising senior officials and educators, engaged in comprehensive discussions on Auroville's unique education system, which aligns closely with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and emphasises experiential, out-of-classroom learning. In a virtual address, Jayanti S. Ravi, Additional Chief Secretary of Gujarat and Secretary of the Auroville Foundation, underscored the importance of spreading Auroville's integral education model — rooted in the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother — across the country. She expressed hope that the visit would pave the way for a deep and lasting collaboration with Madhya Pradesh. On the teacher training front, plans were envisaged to implement a cascade training model in Madhya Pradesh for over 2.5 lakh teachers. Auroville will train master trainers who will then impart training on holistic teaching methodologies throughout the State. A proposal for construction of Madhya Pradesh Bhavan in Auroville, a project originally supported by former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was also discussed in the meeting. This facility was envisaged to serve as a hub for long-term teacher training and collaboration. The discussions also focused on collaborative projects in green buildings, renewable energy, and sustainable community development. The delegation from Madhya Pradesh comprised, Kamna Acharya, Additional Director, Pramod Singh, Deputy Director, Sashikant Kubrelay, Assistant Director, Nishikant Joshi, Officer on Special Duty and Ashok Patke, Project Officer. Sanjeev Ranganathan, chairman of SAIIER, presented the core elements of Auroville's educational methods, which go beyond traditional academics to nurture every aspect of the child — physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. This included activity-based learning (sports, kinesthetic learning, experiments), arts and creativity (music, dance, theatre), emotional and social development (conflict resolution, leadership training), and higher-order thinking (intuition, moral reasoning, affective education). Auroville has offered to train 100 selected teachers from Madhya Pradesh in holistic pedagogy during summer vacation. The visiting delegation also toured Auroville's schools and met the trainers to explore future collaborations in curriculum innovation, physical education and teacher empowerment, the press note said.
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Madhya Pradesh education dept team visits Auroville to explore NEP-linked, holistic learning tie-ups
VILLUPURAM: A delegation from the Madhya Pradesh Education Department visited the Auroville Foundation on Tuesday to explore collaborations in holistic education, sustainable development, and implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The delegation included senior officials such as Kamna Acharya, Additional Director, Pramod Singh, Deputy Director, Sashikant Kubrelay, Assistant Director, Nishikant Joshi, Officer on Special Duty, and Ashok Patke, Project Officer. Dr. Jayanti S Ravi, Additional Chief Secretary of Gujarat and Secretary of the Auroville Foundation, addressed the delegation virtually. She said, 'It is important to spread Auroville's integral education model, based on the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, across the country. We look forward to a deep and long-term collaboration with Madhya Pradesh.' A press statement from the Auroville Foundation noted that the delegation held detailed discussions with Auroville officials on the institution's educational approach. The model emphasizes experiential and out-of-classroom learning and aligns with NEP 2020 guidelines. 'Plans were laid out to implement a cascade training model in Madhya Pradesh for over 2.5 lakh teachers. Auroville will train master trainers who will then impart holistic teaching methodologies throughout the state,' the statement said. The proposal to establish a Madhya Pradesh Bhavan in Auroville was also discussed. Originally supported by former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the proposed facility would serve as a centre for long-term teacher training and educational collaboration. Dr. Sanjeev Ranganathan, Chairman of the Sri Aurobindo International Institute of Educational Research (SAIIER), presented key components of Auroville's educational practices. He explained that Auroville's approach includes development of physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of students. Collaborative projects in areas such as green buildings, renewable energy, and sustainable community development were also part of the discussions. The Auroville Foundation added that 100 teachers from Madhya Pradesh will be selected for training in holistic pedagogy during the upcoming summer vacation. 'The visiting delegation will tour Auroville's schools and meet with trainers to explore future collaborations in curriculum innovation, physical education, and teacher empowerment,' the statement said. Both parties agreed to hold further meetings to take the partnership forward.
