Community Development Project
The year 2022 brought great flow and energy to the work, and enriched our learning and team dynamics. The children started attending classes regularly. We could bring more rigour and personal discipline in their learning and routine. Amit, who came to us for his internship for Masters of Social Services on 1st March 2022, decided to join us full time from November 2022 to continue his work with children and the community.
We celebrated August 15th, India’s 75th Independence Day and Sri Aurobindo’s 150th Birth Anniversary with a great sense of pride. Flag hoisting was done at the Center. We had the honour of celebrating this day with CRPF, GC Pinjore, Jawans and the Military Band who filled us all with sense of patriotism and love for India by playing patriotic songs and marching tunes. We sang the National Anthem in chorus and concluded with sweets and snacks distribution. The National Flag flutters atop the Center since that day.
For promoting the sales of the products of the Centre, we participated in three main exhibitions this year. At the Bella Vista Hotel, Panchkula, though it was a one day exhibition on October 9th, 2022, we managed to have very good sales. At Himachal Bhawan, Chandigarh, another successful exhibition from 15th to 17th October 2022. An exhibition at the Chandigarh Club on March 26th and 27th, 2023, also boosted the sales of products and engaged the artisans. Due to these exposures, many people started visiting the Centre to see our products and understand the cause behind our work.
Another major celebration we organized was to mark the 74th Republic Day at the Centre with the unfurling of the national flag and the singing of the national anthem on January 26th 2023. This day also marked an important occasion for one of our associates, Kavita, who works in the Tailoring departments. She had realized her long overdue dream of graduating her 10th class, which she did with excellent results. Anjali and Sarabjeet were her constant supports and had helped her in her preparations. Dinesh and Hardeep Singh had looked into her logistics on the days of examinations so that she should reach on time and carried everything she needed for the day. We gave her time to study during her work hours at the Centre while the rest of the her teammates, Mahesh, Savita, Renu and Shakuntla, helped complete the products. This was an excellent demonstration of team work.
Our first export order was the real triumph of the entire year. Our patron and well-wisher, Dr. Pariksith Singh from Florida, United States, chose Auromir to make various Christmas gifts for distribution to the employees and physicians of Access Healthcare LLC which Dr. Singh heads. Auromir was proud to get this opportunity. In less than a month, the entire team, working together, managed to make 420 different items. We worked extra hours, even during weekends, and managed to send the gifts to the US well in time for Christmas. Our products have been much appreciated.
On March 16th 2023, students of Grade 6 from GMHS, Khuda Jassu, Chandigarh, visited the Center to explore and experience the various traditional Indian handskills and handicrafts. The students and the teachers spent about four enriching hours with us at the Center. Woodwork, polishing, macramé, crochet, rug weaving, organdie flower making, waste cloth rugs and mats, cane weaving, basket weaving, tailoring and hand embroidery skills and techniques were displayed. The students and the artisans had meaningful and entertaining interactions. The children got the opportunity to try out each skill under the guidance of the artisans. It was indeed a fulfilling day for all of us.
Working on new ideas, energy and enthusiasm, the thirst for learning, and more meaningful interpersonal relationships were some of the vital things that marked the year that went by for us.