My experience of Satprem

A collective organization

When the trial concluded with the Supreme Court judges telling in favor of Auroville and the Government, we at once had to adapt our collective mode of functioning, which was still fluid and tentative, to organizational forms which the Government would be able to identify and recognize. Thus was born the first “Auroville Cooperative” which would become the voice of the community for all external agencies as for the two representatives designated by the Government to participate on the ground in the organization and development of Auroville. The new Auroville organization consisted in, on the one hand, a double governmental committee and, on the other, our internal coordination. On the Government’ side, two committees had been instituted, one directly representing the central Authorities, comprising members designated by them and the other representing the world nations’ participation in those decisions and choices which could affect the integrity and the future of Auroville, comprising persons of international stature invited by the Central Government. This first international committee had received much attention and care on the part of Satprem, who considered this dimension of Auroville as essential and the role of these representatives as crucial in the conduct of Auroville’ affairs, a necessary complement to the Indian Government’ approach. We therefore had to prepare the ground and formulate our plan for welcoming and receiving them. Among the members who had been chosen for this first committee figured a wonderful young woman who was vibrant with hope and courage, the Minister of Cultural affairs for the Bulgarian State, Lyudmila Zhivkova – daughter of the murdered President, who would herself be assassinated as well a few years later. Satprem did his very best to receive and encourage her in her thrust and aspiration for peace in the world. It was her who, for her first to Auroville, It was in this context that I had occasion to write to Satprem again.

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