The Mother was born Mirra Alfassa in Paris on 21 February 1878. A pupil at the Academie Julian, she became an accomplished artist, and also excelled as a pianist and writer. Interested in occultism, she visited Tlemcen, Algeria, in 1905 and l906 to study with the adept Max Theon and his wife. Her primary interest, however, was spiritual development. In Paris she founded a group of spiritual seekers and gave talks to various groups.

In 1914 the Mother voyaged to Pondicherry to meet Sri Aurobindo, whom she at once recognised as the one who for many years had inwardly guided her spiritual development. After a stay of eleven months she was obliged to return to France due to the outbreak of the First World War. A year later she went to Japan for a period of four years.

In April 1920 the Mother rejoined Sri Aurobindo in Pondicherry. When the Sri Aurobindo Ashram was formed in November 1926, Sri Aurobindo entrusted its full material and spiritual charge to the Mother. Under her guidance, which continued for nearly fifty years, the Ashram grew into a large, many-faceted spiritual community. In 1952 she established Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education, and in 1968 an international township, Auroville. The Mother left her body on l7 November 1973.

Originally posted here:
The Mother - Sri Aurobindo Ashram

As many as 40 volunteers belonging to various Tamil outfits and civil society organisations were arrested when they attempted to picket Sri Aurobindo Ashram here on Friday.

The volunteers, led by G. Sugumaran, secretary, Federation of Peoples Rights, took out a procession from the Head Post Office to Sri Aurobindo Ashram to press their demands.

However, the roads leading to the ashram remained closed and heavily barricaded with police personnel standing guard. Some of the activists climbed over the barricades and ran towards the ashram with the police on their heels. They were rounded up and arrested.

Speaking to reporters, G. Sugumaran demanded that the Puducherry government appoint an IAS officer to administer the ashram. The government should also order a probe by a retired judge of the Madras High Court into the alleged irregularities and complaints levelled by the inmates of the ashram, he said.

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40 Tamil activists held for bid to picket ashram