by Riley Osborn

After a delicious lunch at Sudha’s kitchen, our group of 14 American students set off with towards the enchanting world of Shradhanjali. In the entryway, we had the pleasure of strolling through a picturesque garden with a serene pond. As we approached, we were warmly welcomed by Abha, founder of Shradhanjali. She begins by explaining that Shradhanjali is an early Aurovillian foundation specializing in handicrafts. Their unique creations involve pressed flowers and leaves sourced straight from their blooming garden and delicately arranged on homemade paper. The foundation creates beautiful works of art, but is also dedicated to empowering women from neighboring villages. They currently employ 19 individuals from 11 different villages in the bioregion.

After her introduction, we were delighted to learn that we caught the last day of an art exhibition showcasing the artwork of one of Shradhanjali’s interns named Akay Jharia. Each piece was crafted in the distinctive Shradhanjali style of pressed flowers, and portrayed images inspired by her life. After hitting our heads on a few bell roosters hanging from the ceiling, we walked a few steps over into the heart of the operation. 

Our journey then led us to the beating heart of Shradhanjali, where Abha graciously guided us through the process of crafting. From the meticulous picking of flowers to the careful pressing and drying, we got to see it all. Finally, at the assembly stage, we witnessed the magic unfold. Different stations were filled with different activities, each dedicated to something. There were calendars, table mats, binding books, and many others. The synchronized efforts of the workers made the entire process flow seamlessly.

After this beautiful demonstration, Abha graciously allowed us to wander through the garden, where every flower and leaf is nurtured. Having left our shoes at the front entrance, we were fortunate enough to experience the grounds barefoot, forging a tangible connection with the earth.

In the realm of Shradhanjali, every step tells a story, and every creation is a testament to the skill, passion, and empowerment of the women behind the scenes. It’s not just about art; it’s about a community, a mission, and a celebration of nature’s beauty.

Kajimba is an NGO local to Auroville that has created a healthier alternative to soda. Kajimba drinks are fermented beverages that contain less sugar than soda and have a sweeter taste than kombucha. Kajimba delivers its drinks by scooters to all their partners and stores that sell their product.

Kajimba is hard to explain but the owner said that it is almost like an nonalcoholic beer that has local flavors. It takes less time to ferment than kombucha and is very expensive to produce due to how fresh all the ingredients are. They flavor the drink with homemade syrups that contain a total of 7-8 grams of sugar. Due to the freshness and natural origins of ingredients, Kajimba has a shelf life of only 2 weeks.

AUP students were lucky enough to see the inside of the operation and the kitchen in which they create all of their drinks. The kitchen is incredibly clean and we were able to see how fresh all the ingredients really are as they were sitting right on the kitchen counter.

Kajimba also has a very interesting recycling policy. They will go back to each restaurant and business that sells their product and take back their bottles to reuse them after thoroughly washing them. The owner and founder of Kajimba said that they are able to get back about 80% of the bottles they distribute to restaurants.

Kajimba likes to employ youths and currently has 12 to 14 teenagers who run all the marketing for the brand. The owner said that having young people run marketing and social media offers a more flexible way of working as well as their perspective on how to market the drink to their demographic.

Even though Kajimba is a very new NGO in Auroville it is very noticeable how well their drinks are doing. While visiting and eating at many different local restaurants, many students, including me, were able to get Kajimba drinks at most of those places. These restaurants included but were not limited to Café 73, The visitor center locations, Tanto, Laxmee Pizza, and Pizza paradise.

Kajimba is now launching a new product line, the iced tea, which will have a longer shelf life than their original drinks. This new product is very exciting for kajimba as it will contribute to their ongoing growth. They have not yet done anything for this new product line outside of concocting the drink itself. This is where Kajimba figured they could use AUP students’ help. A few things that the owner mentioned were:

-Finding a name for the new product line

-making marketing content for the iced tea

-creating any sort of social media content

-And creating content for their website.

PSDF is a non-profit organization that focuses on family counseling but has a wide array of services that they offer to people in the rural Pondicherry area. PSDF has been in community development since 1999 and has worked mostly with children and women.

When the AUP group first got to PSDF’s building, we were greeted by two women who directed us into a room where the head of the organization, Dr. Mohan, gave us a presentation. Dr. Mohan founded PSDF, and he has done extensive work in social development and acquired a PhD. In social work along with two master’s degrees in history and political science as well as commerce. Dr. Mohan started his presentation by explaining the main goals of PSDF, then followed by explaining previous work done by AUP volunteers. The volunteers contributed in multiple different tasks including field work with women, website design, and social media management.

Dr. Mohan also talked to us about how PSDF has evolved from 1999 and its original goals to today and what they offer now. While PSDF started with family counseling they now have grown into much more. On top of family counseling, PSDF offers a wide array of services such as:

-A creche for mothers to drop off their children

-They offer free legal aid, couples counseling

-They give loans that they get through banks for women to start their own businesses

-And help families with water and sanitation.

Many people in India get loans through unreliable people who charge outrageous interest rates to those who cannot afford to get loans through banks. PSDF not only prevents women from taking these risky loans but offers them to education on how to start their own business and they get loans for the women through reliable banks.

PSDF prioritizes education. Whether it is with women and their businesses or educational development in the creche. They also have recently gone and work with people who live in slums to give them a better education.

Some of the needs and issues that PSDF were hoping AUP students could help with were:

-Help developing and updating the website

-Help with social media (managing the accounts during the internship but also taking the time to tech the workers how to continue posting)

-Spreading the word/ advertising all the different services that PSDF offers.

by Riley Osborn

In the middle of a beautiful day of NGO visits, we found ourselves nestled in the cozy enclave beside Conscious Cafe. The air was abuzz with the vibrant energy of people peddling their homemade treasures at various stalls. At the last stall, we congregated around a captivating rack of exquisite clothing, all in vibrant colors. That’s when Puja, the visionary behind Mythsinsart, warmly welcomed us into her world.

Puja shared the enchanting tale of Mythsinsart’s birth—a brand conceived from the belief that art should not just be admired but worn. This idea she called “artwear.” Her approach involves transforming her original artwork into wearable masterpieces. The process begins with Puja creating the artwork, which is then scanned and printed onto organic cotton fabric. Notably, the chosen organic cotton is derived from beech trees, a sustainable alternative that consumes significantly less water than conventional cotton.

What sets Mythsinsart apart is its commitment to supporting the local community. Puja engages independent tailors from the nearby village, fostering economic empowerment and collaboration. While their current model focuses on small-batch production, Puja shared that they initially operated on a “made-to-order” basis, a conscious effort to minimize resource consumption.

Our conversation with Puja delved deeper into her creative process, offering a glimpse into the inspiration behind her mesmerizing watercolor art. Puja expressed her love for watercolors, appreciating the medium’s demand for concentration and intention. Her artistic muse is drawn from shamanic cultures. She mostly draws inspiration through her meditative experiences where visions of otherworldly realms come to life. The resulting artwork carries a psychedelic essence, a visual manifestation of Puja’s personal growth and exploration through meditation.

Every piece in Mythsinart is treated with love and intention. It was a beautiful experience to hear Puja’s story and learn a bit more about sustainable fashion practices!

By Daniel Carter

In a world dominated by traditional food and cosmetic products, Hemplanet emerges as a trailblazer, championing the use of hemp seeds in their innovative range. Spearheaded by founders Sasi and Tom, and with Vignesh at the helm as the project coordinator, Hemplanet is on a mission to educate and inform consumers about the myriad health benefits of hemp.

Hemplanet’s focus lies in creating a diverse array of products, ranging from soap and lip balm to body butter, pasta, and granola bars – all to show the versatility of the hemp seed. With the ability to press seeds into oil, Hemplanet harnesses this potent ingredient for its rich fats, omega 3, and fiber content, promoting healthy digestion.

However, navigating the legal landscape of hemp in India is a delicate task. While hemp seeds are legal, marijuana remains prohibited. Hemplanet ensures compliance by using only hemp seeds in their products, steering clear of any legal ambiguities. The purest hemp breeds, they note, are found in South America.

With in-house Research and Development, Hemplanet continues to discover hemp’s incredible versatility, extending beyond the realm of food and cosmetics. It can also be used to make paper products, sustainable clothing, and more, contributing to a more sustainable future. Yet, in India, there is a notable lack of knowledge about the plant, and Hemplanet is on a mission to change that perception.

The three-person team at Hemplanet faces the challenge of dispelling myths surrounding hemp, emphasizing its legality, and promoting awareness about its health benefits. Hemp, they argue, is not just a superfood but a carbon-absorbing wonder with almost 24,000 uses.

Currently, their most popular consumers are sports enthusiasts and athletes who view hemp as a valuable supplement. Some individuals turn to hemp as a sleeping aid. In terms of their current product line, the best-selling granola bars are a testament to the market’s growing acceptance of hemp-based products.

Because of its illegal status in India, due to its invasive growth and risk of inter-species variability, Hemplanet imports hemp seeds rather than cultivating the plant locally. The team emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between marijuana and hemp, a crucial factor in advocating for the plant’s legal recognition.

As Hemplanet continues to make strides in the industry, they are currently focusing on dispelling myths, creating awareness through the use of social media., Hemplanet remains committed to its goal of unlocking the true potential of hemp and bringing its manifold benefits to the forefront of consumer consciousness.

By Daniel Carter

In a tranquil corner of Auroville, India, sits a small 5.5-acre haven on a mission of “Cultural Redemption.” Solitude Farm, an initiative quietly thriving since the 90s, is a testament to simplicity, inner reflection, and a profound connection with nature. Founded by Krishna McKenzie urges us to reevaluate our relationship with the source of our sustenance. “The most valuable thing we can learn is where our food comes from” he proclaims to the group of students from the American University of Paris visiting the farm community.

While walking barefoot (yes, barefoot!) through the farmland, Krishna expounds Solitude Farm’s philosophy, an appreciation for and relationship with the land. His belief is that our culture emanates from a people having a relationship with where their food comes from. This can be seen in strong cultural identities in the world that are strongly tied to the foods of their lands. For culture starts in the mind, which in turn, stems from the body, which gains nourishment from the food we consume, which at its root (pun intended) comes from the soil, which many cultures revered as divinity. Recognizing the intricate web of life and biodiversity it harbors, Krishna highlights the interconnectedness of soil, food, body, mind, and culture.

In a world preoccupied with competition and economic gain, Solitude Farm advocates for a return to the basics – understanding where our food comes from. In a society that has severed its ties with the roots of sustenance, the farm believes that culture is lost.

Their chosen method for this cultural renaissance is permaculture, a practice often referred to as “permanent farming.” Embracing the concept of “do nothing farming,” Solitude Farm believes in letting the land guide the way. The only currency here is time, and the land, when cared for, reciprocates abundantly, yielding a diverse range of plants like peppers, mangos, and bananas, each with unique and valuable health benefits.

An essential principle of Solitude Farm is the non-exclusivity of common foods. Here, the beggar and the king share the same nourishment, fostering a sense of equality and interconnectedness. This commitment extends to their environmental footprint – prioritizing local foods over global agricultural practices to combat climate change. As Krishna asserts, they are not merely planting a farm; they are cultivating a menu, a diverse and sustainable approach to living that echoes the renaissance of Auroville.

The primary technique employed by Solitude Farm is the return of organic matter to the soil – leaves, branches, and other natural remnants nourish the land, creating a sustainable ecosystem. The second technique emphasizes valuing the gifts of the land, encouraging the use of local resources. However, the farm acknowledges that this transformation is incomplete without the third technique – community.

Celebration, an integral part of permaculture at Solitude Farm, underscores the communal aspect of sustainable living. It’s a reminder that the journey towards cultural redemption cannot be solitary – it requires collective effort and shared experiences.

At Solitude Farm, contrary to its name, the world comes together, sharing a plate, a smile, and an idea for a better world. In the midst of global challenges, Solitude Farm stands as a beacon of hope, inviting us to reconsider our relationship with the land. It beckons us to rediscover our cultural roots by nurturing a profound connection with the land that sustains us.

By Justin Kauppi

Over fifty years ago, much of the nature we know and see in Auroville today didn’t exist. That was until the 1970s, when Joss Brooks began creating what would become the 73-acre forest known as Pitchandikulam Forest. Due to mass deforestation in the 19th century, much of Auroville was scarce of trees and other vegetation. Now, the forest is full of native species of vegetation and even many animal species who naturally found their way to Pitchandikulam. 

Along with the many animals and vegetation that the forest hosts, many classes and resources can also be found. Educational classes such as ecology tours for students to first aid classes for venomous snake bites are held at Pitchandikulam. These classes, which are facilitated by professionals, amplify important knowledge to the local communities. 

Pitchandikulam Forest is also home to more than 800 species of what Dr. Lourdes Epinal, the Environmental Education Manager who has been working at Pitchandikulam for 35 years, calls “local village healers.” These “healers,” which have been used by South Indians for a long time, are organic herbs that are growing in Pitchandikulam Forest and can help with stomach problems and other ailments.  For more than two decades, Pitchandikulam Forest has played a key role in the conservation of these herbal plants as well as the education of their importance to many who call South India home. 

_{One of Pitchandikulam’s Artists Touching up a Tablet}

In order to maintain such a vast operation, Pitchandikulam employs more than 150 staff members. Of the staff, Pitchandikulam has six local artists who work hard creating art for the purposes of beauty and education. From creating sculptures of local animals, to painting tablets identifying the local plants, the artists work diligently doing what they love to maximize the wonder of the forest. As the artists create their works to educate, the 25 educators employed at Pitchandikulam Forest use a combination of art and nature to create an unforgettable learning environment for students of all ages. 

As Pitchandikulam moves into the new year, they have big plans to bring the wonders and importance of the forest to even more people. Plans such as integrated water treatment, master trainers for sustainability, and guest facilities for visitors are just a few of the short term goals that Pitchandikulam Forest has in mind. Ultimately, Dr. Epinal understands that the future of the forest and sustainability is in the hands of children. That is why Pitchandikulam will continue to educate younger generations on their home and the importance of nature and the air we breathe. 

By Justin Kauppi

In 1959, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Paper Factory opened in Pondicherry, India. Ever since, it has been creating beautifully textured paper that has been crafted into products such as notebooks and wedding invitations among many others. When many think of where paper comes from, they think of trees. Yet at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Paper Factory, that’s just one of the many origins. As Gaurav, the Operations Manager of six years gathered us at the entrance of the raw material processing room, he explained that the paper at the factory comes from eucalyptus, bamboo, pineapple leaves, banana fiber, sugarcane, and more. However, one of the most used sources for paper at the factory is cotton. Due to its ability to create any color, as well as its durability due to its strong fibers, cotton reigns supreme within the wails of the factory. 

In order for the cotton to become paper, it first has to go through several steps. First, the raw cotton material is sourced from a local textile industry which Gaurav says would otherwise end up in a landfill. After being cut into long strips, and sifted through for the right sizes, the cotton is then beaten into a paste which Gaurav likens to a chutney-type substance. Several employees of the more than 100  hired workers, many of whom have years of experience, beat the rags until they are at the right stage to be sent to the next step. A stage which is indecipherable to the inexperienced onlooker. After being treated with local well water, and even coconut water, the paste is then delicately poured over a mold before being tightly pressed in a special vice before it is peeled and hung to dry. 

_{Handmade Deckle Edge Paper featured on http://www.sriaurobindopaper.com}

Although much of the paper comes out white, there are many techniques used at the factory to create the most vibrant of patterns full of color. As Gaurav led us into one of the drying rooms, we were immediately surrounded by paper of vivid yellows, reds, and purples that swirled in together in ways that rival the works of Van Gogh and other Post-Impressionist painters. Gaurav explained that this type of technique of what is known as “marbling” originated from Japan but was adopted by the factory and has become one of the factory’s best-selling products. 

At the end of the tour, we were taken to the factory’s gift shop where we could see all of the finished products on display and available for sale. Items such as deckle edge invitations and origami tree ornaments make up just some of the unique and affordable gifts available at the shop. However, if you can’t visit the shop in person, you can buy online at http://www.sriaurobindopaper.com.