On Auroville 2022 to 2025

The only cause for misunderstanding and conflict lies, since the 80s of last century, in the margin of interpretation rendered possible by the formulation of the Act of Parliament which instituted the formation of the Auroville Foundation as an organ directly managed by the Central Government through one of its ministries (Human Resources or Education, so far), as to the proportion of responsibility, authority and autonomy accorded to the “residents” and their organization: what are the limits legally and formally acknowledged and recognized to their self-determination. Now that the Central Government has set a parallel structure to manage Auroville‟s affairs and assets in the manner its representatives deem the most appropriate and that huge amounts have been invested in the construction of roads and infrastructure, it has become indispensable to review and define anew the relationship between “the willing servitors of the Divine Consciousness” and the official administrative organ of the Auroville Foundation and its declared objectives. It is undoubtedly needed to establish an open, active and committed collaboration between the two subjects, or entities and, to this end, their respective responsibilities must be clearly defined, without any ambiguity. The one common goal is self-evident: to serve a harmonious future for Mother India, so that she can best fulfil her mission in the world – serving the Truth for the whole Earth. India today positions herself as midst the nations as the friend of all, Vishwamitra, and as the luminous guide by the force of spiritual knowledge, Vishwaguru. But she must also realize in herself the psychological and material conditions upon which this future may be built and Auroville aspires to participate in this effort. Whether it is in the fields of education and the sharing of knowledge and skills, or in those of a harmonious equilibrium with the natural environment, the conscious utilization of resources, materials, space, energy, of techniques and technologies, of economy and the use of the power of money, Auroville may freely contribute. For this collaboration to be effective and creative, the margin of autonomy of the Aurovilians and their protection must be ensured; they must be able to organize themselves according to their own shared understanding and in a way which can always evolve and progress, so as to constantly integrate the common experience, while their contribution to the nation must be situated at the hinge between the inner realization and the action in the world. And just as the administrative setup must abstain from intruding in the collective life of the Aurovilians, the members of the community must guard from any excess of any meddling in public life or administrative rules outside of their collective reality.

72