Children gather around the Mother in the Playground.
To the Children of the Ashram
You have the immense privilege of having come quite young to the Ashram, that is to say, still plastic and capable of being moulded according to this new ideal and thus become the representatives of the new race.
Here, in the Ashram, you are in the most favourable conditions with regard to the environment, the influence, the teaching and the example, to awaken in you this supramental consciousness and to grow according to its law.
– The Mother (CWM, 12:116)
Our School has had the unique privilege of having been blessed by the Mother’s presence and guidance in its formative years.
Giving a short dictation in an early French class in the Guest House.
Essentially there is but one single true reason for living: it is to know oneself. We are here to learn what we are, why we are here, and what we have to do. And if we don’t know that, our life is altogether empty – for ourselves and for others…. one can begin when very young, from the time one is very, very tiny” before the age of five. And then, when one is a hundred, he will still be able to learn….
– The Mother (CWM, 6:16)
Right in the beginning, in 1943, when the School began informally with 20 students, She took some classes.
A class in progress.
The true wisdom is to be ready to learn from whatever source the knowledge can come.
We can learn things from a flower, an animal, a child, if we are eager to know always more, because there is only One Teacher in the world — the Supreme Lord, and He manifests through everything.
– The Mother (CWM, 12:129)
Then, from 1951 She started the Wednesday classes.
Reading a story to the children.
To learn constantly, not just intellectually but psychologically, to progress in regard to character, to cultivate our qualities and correct our defects, so that everything may be an opportunity to cure ourselves of ignorance and incapacity – then life becomes tremendously interesting and worth living.
– The Mother (CWM, 16:430)
These classes were held first in the Guest House and then, when the numbers increased, in the Playground.
Reading the inaugural message at the Convention on 24th April, 1951.
Inaugural Message for the Sri Aurobindo Memorial Convention:
Sri Aurobindo is present in our midst, and with all the power of his creative genius he presides over the formation of the University Center 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 élite 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)
In an important landmark in the School’s history, in April 1951, the Sri Aurobindo Memorial Convention was held in the Tennis Ground where it was resolved to establish an International University Centre in Sri Aurobindo’s name.
Inaugurating the new University Centre on 6th January, 1952.
I am perfectly sure, I am quite confident, there is not the slightest doubt in my mind, that this University, which is being established here, will be the greatest seat of knowledge upon earth.
It my take fifty years, it may take a hundred years, and you may doubt about my being there; I may be there or not, but these children of mine will be there to carry out my work.
And those who collaborate in this divine work today will have the joy and pride of having participated in such an exceptional achievement.
– The Mother (CWM, 12,112)
Within a few months, in January 52, She inaugurated the new University Centre.
At the School.
We are not here to do (only a little better) what the others do.
We are here to do what the others cannot do because they do not have the idea that it can be done.
We are here to open the way of the Future to children who belong to the Future.
Anything else is not worth the trouble and not worthy of Sri Aurobindo’s help.
– The Mother (CWM, 12:113)
The University Centre was later to be renamed Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education (SAICE).
Prize distribution in the School garden.
It should be known and we should not hesitate to say openly that the purpose of our school is to discover and encourage those in whom the need for progress has become conscious enough to orient their life.
– The Mother (CWM, 12:118)
From 1952, on the 6th of January every year, the Mother visited the School.
A child receiving a prize from the Mother.
It is not a number that we want – it is a selection; it is not brilliant students that we want, it is living souls.
– The Mother (CWM, 12:118)
During the visit She distributed prizes to the children.
Mother taking a walk with Pranab-da in the Tennis Ground.
An aimless life is always a miserable life.
Every one of you should have an aim. But do not forget that on the quality of your aim will depend the quality of your life.
Your aim should be high and wide, generous and disinterested; this will make your life precious to yourself and to others.
But whatever your ideal, it cannot be perfectly realised unless you have realised perfection in yourself.
– The Mother (CWM, 12:3)
Almost all through the 50s the Mother was everywhere, participating in all activities. She continued to take classes in the Playground. She was at the Tennis Ground every afternoon after 4 pm for about an hour.
Enjoying a game of Tennis.
The true aim of life is to find the Divine’s Presence deep inside oneself and to surrender to It so that It takes the lead of the life, all the feelings and all the actions of the body.
This gives a true and luminous aim to existence.
– The Mother (CWM, 14:5)
She played tennis with sadhaks and students at the Tennis Ground.
Holding the tape at the finishing line.
Behind the appearances that the physical eyes can see, there is a reality much more concrete and lasting. It is in this reality that I am with you today and will be during all the athletic season. The force, the power, the light and the consciousness will be in your midst constantly to give to each one, according to his receptivity, the success in his endeavour and the progress which is the crowning result of all sincere effort.
– The Mother (CWM, 12:275)
She was present for the athletics competitions at the Sportsground, holding the tape at the finishing line for the races, keenly observing and overseeing the jumps and throws.
Mother receiving the salute during March Past in the Sportsground.
Prière des Élèves
Fais de nous les guerriers héroïques que nous aspirons à devenir, pour livrer avec succés la grande bataille de l’avenir qui doit naître, contre le passé qui veut durer; afin que les choses nouvelles puissent se manifester et que nous soyons prêts à les recevoir.
– La Mère (Education, 13 :119,120), 6 janvier 1952
She was there to take the salute for the March Past. Her radiant presence lighted up every occasion and her personal encouragement was the motive for every activity.
At the Mother’s feet.
Douce Mère, permets que nous soyons, dés maintenant et pour toujours, simplement Tes petits enfants.
Then, all through the 60s and till 1973, though She was not as physically active, the Mother continued to guide the administration and teachers of the School, clarifying time and again the principles on which the School was to function.
We are truly fortunate to have studied in a School that was fostered by the Mother herself for the first 30 years of its existence.