Tara Didi's Birthday celebrations
July 5, 2026

Our beloved Tara Didi's 90th birthday

Tara Didi's Date of Birth : 5th July 1936

“Let this day of your birth be for you an occasion to give yourself a little more, a little better to the Divine. Let your consecration be more total, your devotion more ardent, your aspiration more intense.”

—The Mother

Tara Jauhar, lovingly known as Tara Didi, is a writer and educationist, and was associated with the Mother since she was eight years old. She is the third child of Surendra Nath Jauhar and Dayawati. Shri Surendra Nath Jauhar was himself a freedom-fighter and was associated with the Mother since 1939. He is the founder of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Delhi branch.

Tara Didi has written how she received the Mother's boundless love, affection, guidance and protection through personal contact and through correspondence which helped her sail through the difficulties and failures, in her 2 books viz., 'Learning with the Mother' and 'Growing up with the Mother'.

The Govt. of India conferred Padma Sri to Tara Didi on 21st March 2022 for her contributions in the field of "Literary and Education".

The Confederation of Indian Universities (CIU) confers Lifetime Achievement Award to Tara Jauhar

Tara Didi's persistant efforts led to the renaming of Begumpur lane as Sri Aurobindo Lane

Tara Didi's meeting with Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Hon'ble Minister of Road Transport & Highways

Tara Didi's meeting with Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Hon'ble CM of Uttarakhand on 25 November 2022

Tara didi's sketch by the Mother on 4-Mar-1949

The Mother's wishes to Tara Didi in French on 5-Jul-1961

The wishes given by The Mother to Tara Didi are many. Scroll below to see two of them written by The Mother in French on 5-7-1961 and 1-8-1971.

Translation

To Tara,

These star—like flowers, so that her life may be governed by a true greatness of soul to enable her to face her responsibilities with a noble and generous heart.

In peace and joy, light and love.

5 July 1961

Mirra

The Mother's wishes to Tara Didi in French on 1-Aug-1971

Translation

1-8-71

27 years of growth of progress and useful work have given you a special place in the Ashram with special love from Sri Aurobindo; as well as my great tenderness and constant blessings.

Mirra

90th Birthday Celebrations of Tara didi

Sri Aurobindo Ashram joyfully celebrated the 90th birthday of Tara Jauhar on 5 July 2026 with a day of gratitude, celebration, and community participation.

The celebrations began in the morning with Tara Jauhar offering prayers at the Shrine, followed by a tree plantation ceremony, reaffirming the Ashram's commitment to environmental stewardship and greenery.

A small havan was then performed by students from Auro-Mirra Vidya Mandir (AMVM), Kechla, Odisha.

Thereafter, in the Meditation Hall, a book compiled by Tara Jauhar on her brother, Promesse Jauhar: The Mother's Sun Child, was formally launched by Tara Jauhar, her childhood friends, Parul and Vandana, offering a heartfelt tribute to his life and his close association with The Mother.

The evening programme featured a series of inspiring cultural presentations. It commenced with Tara Jauhar's reading of Savitri followed by a soulful musical offering by Mithu Pal. The audience was then treated to a graceful solo Bharatanatyam performance and a vibrant tribal dance presented by the students of Auro-Mirra Vidya Mandir (AMVM), Kechla, Odisha.

A specially curated slideshow traced Tara Jauhar's remarkable journey from her childhood days with The Mother in Pondicherry to her lifelong dedication to education, sports, and service. It highlighted her enthusiasm for adventure and physical culture, including her recent rappelling expedition at Van Niwas, Nainital, undertaken just two months ago, as well as the many honours and awards she has received over the years, including the Padma Shri.

One of the most delightful moments of the evening came when Tara Jauhar herself led the audience in the lively "Captain" game. Her infectious enthusiasm drew everyone into the spirit of play, creating an atmosphere of laughter, warmth, and togetherness.

The celebration concluded with the ceremonial cutting of the birthday cake, followed by refreshments, bringing to a close a memorable day dedicated to a life of unwavering service, courage, and joyful inspiration.