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. The procurement of all the red Agra sand-stone slabs for the cladding of the large
and small Petals, and of some of the granite slabs and blocks required for the
cladding of all the pathways;
. The relocation of the Camp residents, the dismantling of the entire complex and
the clearing of a large area now reclaimed for the oval road and water-channel and
the part of the outer Gardens where the permanent Reception Pavilion will be built.
And in the process of clearing this area we have found revealed, in their full growth,
several magnificent trees that were hidden by the high old thatch roofs of the
rambling Camp structure: these majesties, now uncluttered and freed, provide
already some of the atmosphere one has been dreaming of establishing all around
the Matrimandir… To be able one day to move in the cleansing aura of these noble
natural beings, sentinels of a most privilege space one will enter by stages, towards
the experience of the pure white, calm safety of the Inner Chamber…
And this takes us to the emphasis we wish to lay on the remaining work and the
imperative need for everyone’s participation, support and collaboration.
For it is not, once again, just a building, however unique and spectacular, nor even
a temple, however incomparable and powerful, that one is trying to complete, but
the material basis of a new creation, reaching to all and at all levels of existence.
Financially the situation is as follows:
1-
In order to proceed with all the work, a minimum monthly budget of
15 lakhs will remain necessary for the next 2 or 3 years: this budget
covers all the works till completion, including the outer Gardens.
2-
To complete the outer cover, using the new gilding method for the
discs – a work which will take up to 3 years depending on our logistics
on the site, an amount of 2 crores will be required.
3-
To complete the interior of the sphere, including the translucent inner
shell, another 30 to 40 lakhs will be required.
If we have been able to maintain the pace of the work throughout the past year, it
is entirely due to the special effort many of the contributors have made at the time
of the last severe crisis we encountered late 1995, in response to our call.
But now these contributions have dwindled to less than half as the required
monthly budget, and we are experiencing another crisis.
Regarding the outer skin and discs, the prospects are brighter, as one of the main
donors to the Matrimandir since the beginning has been able to channel already 1.5
crores into a specified account for the purpose. As for the interior of the sphere, we
are naturally hesitant and more than a little embarrassed towards the two donors
who had funded the manufacture of the FRP panels, even though they have shown
much understanding of the reasons for a change of materials. But this change had
to be, as the FRP material was found to belie the standards set by the Mother, of
“strength, safety, durability and harmonious balance”.
Well-wishers who have experience of large construction sites assure us that,
particularly in the case of such a complex structure, losses and waste are bound to
incur and that, considering the difficulties inherent to the building of the
Matrimandir, we have not done too badly.