The long history of ties between France and the city, especially the spiritual connection that saw The Mother join Sri Aurobindo on a journey seeking a higher truth, was the focus of an international conference hosted here recently by Sri Aurobindo Society (SAS), as part of the AuroBharati initiative.
Minister for Tourism K. Lakshminarayanan, who was the chief guest, underscored the longstanding ties between India and France, particularly in the context of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, emphasising the cultural continuity shared by the two nations.
The contributions of post-Independent India and modern France have played a vital role, shaped by both international and domestic influences, he told participants at the meet on “India-France dialogue on Historical, Spiritual, and Socio-Cultural Dynamics and Their Relevance in Contemporary Society”.
Etienne Rolland-Piegue, Consul General of France, noted that understanding the complex dynamics between India and France — past, present and future — was essential for nurturing a productive relationship between the two nations.
K. Tharanikkarasu, Vice-Chancellor (in-charge) of Pondicherry University, noted that the cultural parallels between India and France were vital in strengthening both bilateral and strategic partnerships.
According to Renaud Colson, Director, French Institute of Pondicherry in Puducherry, the blending of Franco-Tamil heritage constituted a distinctive aspect of Puducherry’s identity. He also pointed to the significant role of French Indologists in the interpretation of Sanskrit and Tamil texts, which serves to reinforce the enduring relationship between India and France.
Pradeep Narang, SAS chairman, referenced the profound contributions of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, who have been pivotal figures in spirituality and philosophy, particularly regarding the connection between India and France. The distinctive cultural and spiritual heritage shared by India and France had the potential to foster peace and sustainability, which were critically needed in today’s world, he said.
Earlier, setting the context for the meet, Kishor Kumar Tripathy, Member Secretary of AuroBharati, emphasised the perspectives of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother regarding socio-cultural connections between India and France. In her own words, “It is France that can connect Europe with India. There are great spiritual possibilities for France,” he pointed out.
Mr. Tripathy, along with Charu Tripathy, Associate Director of AuroBharati, SAS and conference convenor, presented the report titled ‘India-France Relations in the area of History, Tradition, and Contemporary Relevance: Insights from Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.’
The conference convenors announced that various research initiatives would be undertaken focused on the diversity of expressions and the cultural unity inherent in India-France relations. A digital repository aimed at creating academic resources and cultural exchange programmes has also been proposed.
French historian Singaravelou, A. Subramanyam Raju, Pondicherry University, Wanilza Marques Fortuna, University of Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Marcelo Fortuna Figueira Marques, founder ABAY NGO, Sundar Murugan, scholar and experts participated.
The academic sessions were structured around various themes, including ‘Indo-French Relationships and Their Significance in Modern Society,’ ‘Indo-French Connections in the Context of Unity in Diversity,’ ‘Maritime Relations,’ ‘Medical and Ecological Perspectives,’ and ‘Education, Culture, and Strategic Collaborations between India and France.’
Published - March 06, 2025 08:35 pm IST
