Modi leads plans to mark 150th birth anniversary of Aurobindo
Great Indian philosopher’s message and work offer unique vision for global well-being.
By Koolesh ShahAug 24, 2022
By A fortunate coincidence, India marks its 75th anniversary as a free country at the same time as the 150th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo.
Aurobindo (1872-1950) was a poet, revolutionary, philosopher, mystic, and yogi par excellence. He was not interested in huge statues, grandiose projects, or big institutions in his name. He just wanted a better new world to emerge from the present chaos.
Aurobindo was a revolutionary leader, the ‘Prophet of Indian nationalism’, in Karan Singh’s words. With his spiritual companion, Mira Alfassa (1878-1973), he established the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, in Pondicherry, south India.
Mira Alfassa (1878-1973), known the Mother
Founded in 1968 by Alfassa (known as the Mother), Auroville currently has a population of 3,200 people, with the Auroville Foundation owning 3,300 acres of land. A ‘galaxy plan’ envisages a city of 50,000 residents.
The essence of Aurobindo’s philosophy is that people’s conscious and spiritual evolution is the only way to solve some of the problems facing humanity. These intractable challenges include violence and war; social and political inequality and instability; and the man-made ecological threat to our habitat, which puts the survival of species at risk.
Koolesh Shah
Along with its offshoots – the Sri Aurobindo Society and Auroville – the ashram and the disciples of Aurobindo have spread his life-affirming message worldwide.
Aurobindo’s father, Krishnadhan Ghose, was a surgeon and an Anglophile. The family moved to England when Aurobindo was seven. He attended St Paul’s School, London, and then got a first class in the Classical Tripos at Cambridge, a rare feat for a non-European.
His father wanted him to be an Indian Civil Service officer. Aurobindo passed the written exams, but could not qualify because he failed to appear in the mandatory riding test. Instead, a meeting in 1892 with the ruler of Baroda, Sayajirao Gaekwar, secured him service in Baroda state.
Aurobindo returned to India the following year when he was 20 years old. Already a prodigy, Aurobindo came to the forefront of the Indian national movement, causing a split in the Congress party during the Surat session of 1907.
Along with freedom fighters Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal, he belonged to the so-called garam dal or extremist faction of the party, who believed that independence from colonial rule could not be secured just by “petition, prayer, and protest”.
In 1907, Aurobindo moved to Calcutta [now Kolkata] to become the principal of the newly established National College (now Jadavpur University). He was also the brains behind a revolutionary group.
Arrested in the Alipur bomb case (when an attempt was made to murder the district judge of Muzaffarpur), Aurobindo spent a year in jail from 1909-1910.
A few months after his release, he decided to leave British India for French Pondicherry. He withdrew from politics to practise yoga. From 1910 until his death in 1950, Aurobindo wrote a series of extraordinary books including The Human Cycle, The Idea of Human Unity, Essays on the Gita, The Synthesis of Yoga, The Secret of the Veda, and The Life Divine.
He also wrote Savitri, one of the longest poems in the English language, with more than 24,000 lines.
One of Aurobindo’s works was published posthumously as The Foundations of Indian Culture. Originally a series of articles in his own journal, Arya, it was meant to be a vigorous critique of imperial attempts to belittle Indian civilisation.
Aurobindo begins by stating unequivocally how a culture or civilisation may be evaluated: “A true happiness in this world is the right terrestrial aim of man, and true happiness lies in the finding and maintenance of a natural harmony of spirit, mind and body.
“A culture is to be valued to the extent to which it has discovered the right key of this harmony and organised its expressive motives and movements.”
Looking at his own times, Aurobindo recognised that “an appearance of conflict must be admitted for a time, for as long as the attack of an opposite culture continues.” But later, this very conflict, will “culminate in the beginning of a concert on a higher plane”.
In the final stage, nations may even sacrifice themselves for the good of the whole of humanity, foregoing their selfishness and self-interests.
We are still far away from Aurobindo’s ideal of human unity. But more than ever, we need to work towards it to ensure global peace and prosperity.
As we are celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Aurobindo this year, a high-level committee to commemorate the event was constituted by the Indian government.
The committee comprises 53 members from various walks of life, including former prime ministers Dr Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda, eight cabinet ministers, chief ministers, governors, artists and spiritual leaders.
During the inaugural meeting, India’s prime minister Narendra Modi spoke of the two aspects of Aurobindo’s philosophy – ‘revolution’ and ‘evolution’. While the first is relatively well-known, the second is practically unknown, even in India.
During his speech, the prime minister fondly recalled his discussions as Gujarat chief minister with Kireet Joshi, an eminent disciple of Aurobindo.
Joshi, who had served as chairman of the Auroville Foundation, pointed out to the prime minister that it was India’s “responsibility to offer spirituality” to nations across the globe.
The objectives of the UK-based Sri Aurobindo Trust are to harness activities and initiatives to further the teachings of Aurobindo and the Mother.
Founder trustee Koolesh Shah is a devotee of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, and chairman of the Sri Aurobindo Trust. Thanks to the generous support of the Trust, SOAS University of London has offered modules on ‘Modern Indian Philosophy’ for the past four years, with a specific focus on the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
A 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Almería, southern Spain, at 7.13 am on Monday
The tremor was felt in over 50 towns, including tourist destinations like Malaga
No injuries have been reported, but building damage occurred in airports and showrooms
The quake follows a weekend of floods and severe weather in Spain
No UK Foreign Office travel warnings have been issued, but travellers are advised to check local alerts
Southern Spain was rocked by a 5.4-magnitude earthquake on the morning of Monda,y 14 July, with tremors felt across several provinces, including popular tourist destinations.
The earthquake struck at 7.13 am off the coast of Almería, nearly two miles below sea level, according to Spain’s National Geographic Institute (IGN). Despite its intensity, there have been no reported injuries, although some structural damage has occurred.
Where was the earthquake felt?
The tremor was experienced in more than 50 towns across seven provinces in southern Spain, including Almería, Granada, Jaén, Murcia, Alicante, Albacete, and particularly in Malaga, which was among the worst affected. Reports also indicate the quake was felt in parts of North Africa.
A tourist staying in Agua Amarga in Almería told Spanish newspaper El País, “I was sleeping, and the whole house shook for a few seconds. There was an incredible roar. It woke up my entire family and our neighbours.”
How severe was the earthquake?
Spain’s IGN measured the earthquake at 5.4 magnitude, corresponding to levels IV to V on the European Macroseismic Scale, classified as “widely observed” to “strong.” While the quake was more powerful than the 2011 Lorca earthquake, which killed nine people, including a pregnant woman, Monday's tremor occurred offshore, lessening the potential for destruction.
Andalusia emergency services confirmed receiving 25 calls from the public, though no injuries were recorded. However, damage to buildings was reported in various locations.
Damage to infrastructure
Almería airport sustained damage in its departures lounge, where ceiling tiles collapsed in a café area. A member of staff described hearing a sequence of noises, followed by a loud bang and a large cloud of dust. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
In Huércal de Almería, the ceiling of a Toyota showroom was also damaged.
Recent weather chaos in Spain
The earthquake follows a weekend of severe flooding and thunderstorms across parts of Spain. Streets were submerged in several towns, and emergency weather alerts remain in place for 25 provinces.
Catalan Health Minister Olga Pané told Catalan News that 71 hospital patients had to be evacuated to alternative facilities in the region, including Sant Camil, Bellvitge, and Viladecans.
Is it safe to travel to Spain?
The UK Foreign Office has not issued any travel warnings related to the Spain earthquakes or recent flooding. However, it advises travellers to monitor updates from Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET and follow the guidance of local authorities.
Travellers planning to visit affected regions should stay informed about ongoing weather and seismic developments and remain alert to any official advisories.
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Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating flight AI-171 to London Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12.
A PRELIMINARY report into last month's Air India plane crash that killed 260 people has raised further questions, and the investigation is still ongoing, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said in a memo to staff on Monday.
The initial report, released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Saturday, pointed to confusion in the cockpit shortly before the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed.
In a staff memo reviewed by Reuters, Wilson wrote: “The report had triggered a new round of speculation in the media ... Unsurprisingly, it provided both greater clarity and opened additional questions.”
He added: “The preliminary report identified no cause nor made any recommendations, so I urge everyone to avoid drawing premature conclusions as the investigation is far from over.”
No mechanical faults found
The memo noted that the report found no mechanical or maintenance faults, and confirmed all required maintenance had been completed.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was flying from Ahmedabad to London when it began losing thrust shortly after takeoff. Of the 242 people on board, all but one died. Nineteen people on the ground were also killed.
According to the AAIB report, one pilot asked the other in the final moments of the flight why he had cut off the fuel.
“The other pilot responded that he did not do so,” the report said. It noted that the fuel cutoff switches for engine two flipped almost simultaneously, but did not specify how.
The report did not suggest any immediate action for Boeing or GE, which supplied the aircraft’s engines.
Pilot body rejects early conclusions
ALPA India, which represents Indian pilots at the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations, rejected any presumption of pilot error and called for a “fair, fact-based inquiry”.
Campbell Wilson added in his memo: “The pilots had passed their mandatory pre-flight breathalyser and there were no observations pertaining to their medical status.”
The flight’s commanding pilot was 56-year-old Sumeet Sabharwal, who had logged 15,638 total flying hours and was also an Air India instructor, according to the Indian government. His co-pilot, Clive Kunder, 32, had 3,403 hours of experience.
Air India faces broader scrutiny
Following the crash, Air India has come under increased scrutiny on multiple fronts.
On July 4, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency said it would investigate Air India Express, the airline’s budget unit, after a Reuters report revealed it had failed to promptly replace engine parts on an Airbus A320 as mandated and falsified records to indicate compliance.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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Donald Trump Jr and Bettina Anderson turn heads with intense PDA before Trump’s Club World Cup appearance
Donald Trump Jr and Bettina Anderson were seen getting intimate at Teterboro Airport before heading to the FIFA Club World Cup final.
The couple matched in white shirts and embraced publicly while awaiting President Donald Trump and Melania Trump.
Anderson defended Don Jr online earlier this year after a New York Magazine article criticised him.
Trump Jr’s ex-fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle was recently appointed US Ambassador to Greece, while ex-wife Vanessa is now dating Tiger Woods.
Donald Trump Jr and his girlfriend Bettina Anderson turned heads over the weekend with an unabashed public display of affection on the tarmac in Teterboro, New Jersey, just before President Trump and Melania Trump landed ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup final. The couple, who have been together since mid-2024, looked inseparable as they hugged, kissed, and held hands openly, seemingly unconcerned by the presence of others or nearby cameras.
All eyes on Donald Trump Jr and Bettina Anderson as their PDA grabs attention before Trump’s arrivalGetty Images
Pair step out in matching whites before heading to historic match
Wearing coordinated white button-downs, Don Jr and Bettina appeared relaxed and smitten as they waited to join Trump Sr at the MetLife Stadium. This year’s match was particularly significant as it marked the first time the United States hosted the tournament. The couple continued to cosy up at the stadium, where they watched the final together from the stands, adding another public outing to a growing list of appearances.
Donald Trump Jr and girlfriend Bettina Anderson steal the spotlight with PDA at New Jersey airportGetty Images
Relationship has been going strong since summer 2024
Their relationship became public in December 2024. A source close to the couple told Us Weekly at the time that Anderson offered something new for Trump Jr, a relationship "just about them" with no strings attached.
Since then, they’ve been spotted at multiple high-profile events, including the amfAR Gala in Cannes, the Super Bowl in New Orleans, and a Sublime concert during LIV Golf Miami. By January 2025, reports suggested the couple were already living together.
Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson depart the White House to attend the Military ParadeGetty Images
Bettina claps back at critics over Don Jr’s public image
When New York Magazine published a scathing piece on Trump Jr earlier this year, labelling him a “spoiled heir” and claiming he was the “most despised” member of the Trump family, Anderson didn’t stay quiet.
Posting to her Instagram Stories, she mocked the article’s “insider” claims and fired back with the quote: “Rumours are started by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots.” She described her boyfriend as “the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful and brilliant person.”
Bettina Anderson and Donald Trump Jr spotted in a candid moment Getty Images
Trump Jr’s past with Kimberly Guilfoyle and Vanessa Trump
Before Anderson, Trump Jr was engaged to former Fox News anchor Kimberly Guilfoyle. They ended their relationship in late 2024, just before the US election. Despite the split, Trump Jr later praised her after President Trump appointed Guilfoyle as Ambassador to Greece.
Donald Trump Jr. with Bettina Anderson ahead of US President Donald Trump's addressGetty Images
“Kimberly and I will never stop caring for each other and will always keep a special bond,” he said in a statement. “I could not be more proud of her.” His ex-wife, Vanessa Trump, has also moved on. She’s now reportedly in a serious relationship with golf legend Tiger Woods.
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Trump will become the first elected political leader in modern times to be hosted for two state visits by a British monarch. (Photo: Getty Images)
KING CHARLES will host US president Donald Trump in September for a second state visit to Britain, Buckingham Palace announced on Monday.
The visit is scheduled to take place from 17 to 19 September.
“His Majesty the King will host the President and Mrs Trump at Windsor Castle,” the palace said in a statement. Further details will be shared later.
Trump said last month that he had agreed to meet King Charles after UK prime minister Keir Starmer delivered a handwritten letter from the monarch to him at the Oval Office.
Trump will become the first elected political leader in modern times to be hosted for two state visits by a British monarch.
The late Queen Elizabeth hosted Trump for a three-day state visit in June 2019 during his first term. That visit included a private lunch with the Queen and tea with Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales.
Starmer and Trump are also expected to meet in Scotland later this month, a source told Reuters last week. The specific date of the meeting has not yet been confirmed.
The two leaders have built a close relationship in recent months. Last month, they signed a framework trade deal during the G7 summit that formally reduced some US tariffs on British imports.
In May, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney criticised the UK's invitation to Trump for a state visit. He said it undermined the government's efforts to show a united front against Trump's remarks about annexing Canada.
Trump’s earlier visits to Britain have seen large protests. His 2018 trip required the deployment of 10,000 police officers and cost more than 14 million pounds.
Most Britons view the US president unfavourably, according to opinion polls.
State visits typically include ceremonial events such as an open-top carriage procession through central London and a formal banquet at Buckingham Palace.
(With inputs from agencies)
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A plume of black smoke rises from an area near the runway after a small plane crash, as seen from inside a building at London Southend Airport on July 13, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)
LONDON Southend Airport in Essex has been closed until further notice after a small plane crashed at the airport on England’s south-east coast on Sunday, according to police.
In a post on X, London Southend Airport said all flights to and from the airport have been cancelled while emergency services, police, and air accident investigators are at the scene.
“We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Southend Airport,” Essex Police said. The police said they were called just before 4 pm to reports of a collision involving a 12-metre (39.4-foot) aircraft.
It is not yet known how many people were on board the plane.
Photos published by British newspaper websites showed a fireball above Southend Airport, which is located around 35 miles (56 km) east of London.
The East of England Ambulance Service said it had deployed four ambulances along with other response vehicles to the site.
The airport’s website showed that five international flights were cancelled after the crash.