Mother's soul daughter Tara Johar.

- Antar - Raksha Shukla

This charu of feeling.

I have taken the leap.

eye-opening words,

Flower recital started.

Two across the top,

Why should I return?

Saptaparni-si Mahak,

What to fill seven tunes!

This hour is free,

Walk in the memories.

- Dr. Gurudatta Navneet Thakkar

Hardly anyone is unfamiliar with the name of Mahesh Aravind who participated in the freedom struggle as a revolutionary in his youth. But later became a Yogi. His original name was Arvind Ghosh. In Pondicherry he devoted himself entirely to spiritual and philosophical pursuits. Where initially he had few followers, but over time his number increased. As a result, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram was formed in 1926 and from then on he started calling himself Sri Aurobindo. About 10 km from Pondicherry. 'Auroville' is a township with a unique settlement located in the north and having a unique position on the world map. 'Oro' means dawn in French. Hence it is also called 'City of Dawn'. 'Auroville' is the embodiment of the imagination of Shri Mataji of Arvind Ashram, Pondicherry.

'Mother (Mother) Shri Mataji's original name was Meera Alfasa. Mira Alfasa moved to Pondicherry with her husband Paul Richard in 1914 and finally settled there in 1920. Mother Mahesh settled in India as a disciple of Aurobindo and later became his companion in the yoga practice of Sri Aurobindo, working throughout his life for the upliftment of human consciousness. Thus Sri Mataji became a close spiritual associate of Mahesh Aurobindo. Mother was a French citizen born in Paris. In the 20s he studied occultism with Max Theon. In 1914, the mother moved to Pondicherry with her husband Paul Richard and finally settled in 1920. Sri Aurobindo considered Mother as a companion in his spiritual journey. After 1926, when Sri Aurobindo retired into seclusion, he left it to Mother to plan, build and manage the ashram along with the ashram's disciple community. Mahesh used to say that "The great are strongest when they stand alone, A God-given might of being is their strength." Mother also proved this point with her strong morale and devotion. After some time the disciples joined the ashram with children and families. Mother then established the Sri Aurobindo International Center of Education and nurtured it with new experiments in the field of education. After the death of Mother in 1950, her daughter Samana Tara Jauhar continued Mother's spiritual work and other activities of the ashram. Directed the ashram as a whole and guided the disciples.

Tara Jauhar propagated the teachings and philosophy of philosopher and yoga guru Sri Aurobindo throughout his life. Ms. Tara Johar was honored with the Padma Shri Award by the then Government of India on the eve of Republic Day 2022 for her distinguished service and outstanding contribution in the field of literature and education. Tara Johar, fondly known as Taradidi, is a noted writer and academician. who has devoted his life to the wider propagation of Sri Aurobindo's teachings. who was an Indian philosopher, yoga guru, poet and nationalist who advocated a philosophy of life based on spiritual evolution. Tara Johar made an invaluable contribution to Aurobindo's movement.

Born in 1936, Taradidi grew up in the Pondicherry Ashram under the strong spiritual influence of her mother and Sri Aurobindo. His father Mr. Surendranath Jauhar was a freedom fighter who served 15 months of imprisonment in the Central Jail, Multan during the Quit India Movement period. In 1956, he laid the foundation of Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Delhi. The freedom fighter father sent Taraji to Pondicherry when she was only 8 years old. Tara Jauhar, who excelled in studies since childhood, knew eight languages. That is why she is also known as a learned linguist. Where he stayed under the guidance of his mother till he turned 40 years old. He became the president of Delhi branch of Aurobindo Ashram. His sister Lata Jauhar was a teacher at the Pondicherry ashram. He has proved his skill and ability by managing and leading the Sri Aurobindo Ashram-Delhi Branch for the last 45 years. Tara Johar also helped establish two retreat centers in the Himalayan-like tranquil region. One is 'Van Niwas' located in Nainital, Uttarakhand and the other is 'Madhuban' in Ramgarh, Kumaon, Uttarakhand. Taradidi has done the work of the Ashram with great care and dedication. He has well digested the words of Mother who used to say “The path is long, but self-surrender makes it short; the way is difficult, but perfect trust makes it easy.”

Taradidi worked tirelessly as the President of the Aurobindo Ashram in Delhi and as a spiritual and social leader. Under Tara Johar's strong leadership and sound guidance, Sri Aurobindo Ashram has not only expanded in terms of activities but has produced many spiritual seekers and leaders. A well-equipped and noble community has been built by him. Tara Johar has compiled two books in English - 'Growing up with 'Mother' and 'Language with' Mother' and two books in French - 'Reponses de la Mare a une Monitrice' and 'La Mare Travelle avec les Enfants'. The greatness of the great is the greatness of the divine energy in him. Mother chose Taradidi, trained her with her love and dignity is all told in Taradidi's famous book 'Growing up with 'Mother''. The book is a standard collection of Mata's correspondence, messages and conversations with Tara Johar, who spent many years in Mata's company. Education, sadhana and life, meditation with mother and flowers etc. all come to us with a familiar fragrance through Taradidi.

These letters and conversations show how Mother lovingly and with utmost patience helped and guided this young girl named Tara in her search for her inner being. These books are a treasure trove of his own experiences and his conversations and participation with his mother. Through these books one can understand how a true divine worker was molded by the mother.

In 1981 Taradidi started a prestigious project named 'Mirambika Free Progress School'. His role was very important in making the dreams of Akhand (Unbreakable) Education and Nirband Pragati system into practical form seen by Mata. Under Taradidi's precise guidance and support, more than 200 rural schools have been developed across the country through various educational workshops and equipments such as integrated learning, mathematical experiential learning, science project based learning, library and books, sports equipment etc.

Oro-Meera Vidya Mandir started in 2018 under the guidance and support of Tara Didi is one of the most impressive effective educational projects. It is a completely free, co-educational, residential school for tribal children, operating 365 days a year in the remote tribal village of Kechla in Koraput district, Odisha. Tara Didi has facilitated grants from the Ashram for many children across India to sponsor their education in schools. In 1977, he started youth camps to inculcate qualities like courage and endurance in the youth so that they become fearless with self-respect. The holistic sports training he received in Pondicherry helped Joharji to organize and lead these camps in Nainital, an extension of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram-Delhi branch.

Mother always said that 'New Delhi Branch' of Sri Aurobindo Ashram is the only and real branch of the Ashram.' Mother has specifically emphasized that 'whatever other places may come up, they cannot be called 'Sri Aurobindo Ashram' or a 'branch' of the Ashram. There is only one ashram: Pondicherry and branch only one in New Delhi.'

Vocational training for rural youth was started in 1989 at Sri Aurobindo Ashram-Delhi Branch where the youth is developed holistically with the objective of making them well disciplined and self-reliant human beings. Tara Johar has spent her entire life as a divine instrument to uplift, support and assist the needy through her gift of compassion and service to Mother. Tara Jauhar's motto is to do good, to do the right thing and to find new fields of service and undertake those tasks. Tara Didi's life is truly an inspiration to many. Ms. Tara Jauhar, President of Sri Aurobindo Ashram Delhi Branch, was awarded the eighth 'Oro-Ratna Award' by the Overman Foundation in 2017 for her invaluable contribution to the Aurobindo movement. Tara Didi's sandalwood personality has been perfuming everyone in carrying forward our spiritual tradition.

date

Winning a war is not winning. Winning is when you lose repeatedly but keep trying to win.

- Napoleon Bonaparte