journal d'une transition

242

Matrimandir”…! The carpenters had gone to complaint there had been violence against them… Piero and Yus explained that this was totally untrue; that there was indeed a problem of harmony with whoever continued to be paid by the SAS in Auroville and that we had indeed requested the carpenters to withdraw from the work until a solution would be found… Yus advises that this is the line we must keep to if and when the police return here… … Prem M has called for a meeting to discuss the visas situation. We all go, except Kiran whose presence there would only cause turmoil… Prem explains the need for a formal representative body for the Government and other outside agencies to relate to, but also to perform the necessary coordinating tasks within Auroville. Isn’t it the Coop, then? It is a little ironic that he had earlier been advocating the dissolution of the Coop in favour of divers working groups; and now here he is, in “good faith” recommending the opposite! Al.B suggests then that each of the work-areas or groups send one representative, an individual whose awareness of the collective is appreciated and who is willing to do the practical work… … All of a sudden, C.E comes out onto the terrace where I have been working with the men, his eyes summoning me, intent and wide… I join him inside; he sits there, looking at Your photograph, takes my hand and says “I don’t want to leave Auroville” He kisses my hand; I kiss and hug him. It is calm. …The sub-Collector has informed us that the people of the SAS have declared their intention of coming back to work and meditate at Matrimandir, and that we are not legally in any position to prevent them and therefore could be accused of breaking law and order should we try… *22-9-1979, Auroville: When I got to “New Creation” early this morning, to pick up Jacq and Kiran, Jacq greeted me with a copy of the last issue of “L’Express” featuring a long review of FJ’s role and activities leading to Algeria’s independence, of his “Net” in support of the FLN, replete with the stories and the atmosphere of that period in my childhood, the clandestinity, the fake identities, the women, the Algerian friends around me and C… Back at work, we all look at it together… An hour later we see the carpenters arriving, in formation, escorted by… Jyotiprem! The whole scene is at once sad and ludicrous and we say between nausea and guffaws… He has come along, all skeletal as he is, to “protect these good men from the hooligans”… P.G is beaming with pleasure at my expression! A huge rain soon pours on all, till after 1 pm; but we manage to cast 3 more beams by the workshop… We spend the evening on and around the structure, locking away the sawing- machines, sorting the tools, cleaning-up… John H is a little stuck, afraid of any “divisive” action on our part, but he relaxes soon enough and willingly helps; so does Mangini, cheerfully… *23-9-1979, Auroville: A wondrous red she-cat has appeared two days back and seeks to be adopted, but, seeing our Gauri’s eyes, as if I had betrayed her, I feel too bad : she may not be as beautiful but she is ours, joined with us, while this new one is merely using of her seduction to get shelter! What to do? We have all come for the concreting; it is joyful, until Piero comes and there is a marked change in the atmosphere…