journal d'une transition

1075

c. Any of the current or major issues that are of vital importance to the Matrimandir. For example: 1- Design – related questions. 2- Access to Matrimandir. 3- VIP Reception. 4- Maintenance of Aurovilians. 5- Maintenance of the Structure. 6- Fund-raising. 7- Information regarding Matrimandir within Auroville and without. 8- Gardens.

Needless to say that these topics don’t necessarily have to be brought up by the Coordinating Team but can and should be raised by any Aurovilian.”

- Amrit, Arjun, Divakar, John, Ramalingam, Walter.

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*Working note on the formation of an Auroville Reception/Protocol team, its mandate and method of functioning, October 25, 1996.

- Perspective.

The absence of such a team on the one hand and the increasing public awareness of the Matrimandir on the other hand, have led to the current situation wherein the majority of Government officials and other VIPs tend to view Auroville as merely the locale of the Matrimandir and to exert various kinds of pressure in order to visit it, while we have generally remained unready and unwilling to respond favourably.

Promotion of the Matrimandir as a tourist site has also intensified, both from tourism industries and Government concerned agencies.

This has caused innumerable misunderstandings and has been a major factor in the negative relationship to Auroville among official circles.

- Proposal.

It is proposed that, with the Working Committee as a base and with the active collaboration of the office of the Secretary to the Auroville Foundation, an Auroville Reception/Protocol team is formed, with the following mandate.

1 - To ensure a proper welcome to all visiting officials and VIPs.

A: A permanent Reception room is required at the Visitors Centre, so that all VIPs may be given an introduction to Auroville, its activities, aims and ideals, with the help of the exhibition room, video coverage and a cordial set-up. B: Depending on the time available to the VIPs and on their areas of interest, a program is established either on the spot or by prior