Two more texts on and for Auroville

The arguments presented by the Government to justify its takeover of the affairs of Auroville are convenient fabrications based on distorted facts and records. Here are a few examples. One: it is incorrect to affirm the so- called “Master Plan” or “Galaxy City Plan” is of equal value and preeminence as the Charter, written by Mother, adding that it is Her plan, seen and blessed by Her and down to such details as the radius of the circular crown road while, in fact, the plan being referred to in the current implementation drive, made possible by the financial and authoritarian involvement of the Central Government, was arrived at only in 1999, after many various and differing versions, and was neither a final nor a detailed plan ready for execution, but merely a template to be gazetted, under the lead of the Governing Board and its Chairman, and therefore made legally binding on any further development. To define it further as one of “two foundational pillars” of Auroville‟s existence and mission, is therefore tantamount to a gross ethical violation. That there exists sufficient documentation to support the validity of a general “galaxy” plan (yet less so than that of the previous “nebula” plan which Mother had clearly appreciated) is certain; but to affirm its realization is as essential and crucial to Auroville‟s future as the contents of its guiding Charter, verges on grave interference. Two: it is incorrect to affirm that the Aurovilians – or a dominant majority of them – consciously blocked, prevented or obstructed the external manifestation of such a plan and sought to retain sovereignty of the entire “project” for their own limited and privileged benefit and usage. What the inhabitants of Auroville have been able to accomplish in 5 decades cannot be denied; yet they did not have any access to large funding and the legal position never permitted the Aurovilians to either earn such vast amounts as were needed to hasten the building of a city, or receive contributions from outside organizations that would not be conditional; meanwhile, it was their responsibility to manage and tend large tracts of land in the most harmonious and helpful way possible. One can easily list the numerous instances of laxity, neglect, absurdity, pettiness, rigidity, exclusivism, or carelessness: of course! And naturally Auroville has attracted much ill-will and meanness, being an easy prey to all kinds of criticism with its mixed population and medley of

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