The Auroville Statistics Initiative

When Prof. Dr. Henk Thomas from The Netherlands and Chartered Accountant Manuel Thomas from Chennai joined forces in 1997 to study the Auroville economy, they embarked on a work which, at that time, nobody in Auroville considered to be of prime importance. But their persistent dedication over a 15-year period paid off. It not only resulted in an impressive economic database of the first 40 years of Auroville’s existence but also in the book Economics for People and Earth. The Auroville Case 1968-2008, launched in October last year. This book not only gives an overview of Auroville’s development, but also gauges Auroville’s economic system in the light of its ideals and, most importantly, assesses Auroville’s sustainability as a model for a durable socio-economic development.

The initiative for the study had come to some extent from Auroville – there was a formal invitation from the then Economy Task Group and the Funds and Assets Management Committee – but to a much larger extent from Henk himself, with enthusiastic support from the board members of the Dutch Foundation De Zaaier, which Henk at the time chaired. It was thanks to their continuous financial help and strong moral support over the entire 15-year period that this work could be concluded.

Lack of interest in statistics

Auroville, however, has been slow to appreciate the need for statistics. Only a few months after the book was launched, the Budget Coordination Committee refused to give a grant of Rs 3 lakhs (US $ 5,000) to update the work for the years 2009-2014. [The money was ultimately provided by Stichting Aurofonds, a private foundation, eds.].

This was not the first time that Auroville showed lack of interest in following up on statistical research. In 2008, the community failed to raise the required co-funding of € 8,800 to do the Second Socio-Economic Survey of Auroville Employees. This survey would show Auroville’s impact upon the lives and livelihoods of Auroville’s employees, their families and their communities and also the health, education and recreation of women, youth and children. The first Survey had taken place in 2000 in collaboration with the University of Pondicherry, with full financial support from De Zaaier, and it was the intention that these surveys would take place every seven years. For the Second Survey, De Zaaier had made a contribution of € 10,000, but as the necessary co-funding did not manifest, the money was kept aside. It was ultimately used to print Economics for People and Earth. But the Second Survey never happened.

The Auroville statistics initiative

Today, the question of whether Auroville needs a statistical office is extensively being studied. The initiative – again – has not come from any of the Auroville working groups, but – again – from De Zaaier, this time from its new board members who visited Auroville in October 2013. “How can you plan in Auroville without statistics?” was their simple but penetrating question to the town and financial planners, while indicating that De Zaaier might be interested to help fund a statistical office.

It took some time, but in May this year the Budget Coordination Committee and the Town Development Council submitted a joint project proposal to De Zaaier towards the creation of an Auroville Statistical Office (ASO). The project has four phases: phase 1: research; phase 2: setting up the ASO; phase 3: starting operations for Auroville; and phase 4: becoming partially self-supporting, such as by doing custom designed field surveys and data analysis. Funding was sought for phase 1 and for acquiring the appropriate software. The Town Development Council and the Budget Coordination Committee will carry the costs of office infrastructure and running expenses. De Zaaier agreed to sponsor both requests.

The findings of phase 1

On December 10th, Harini, Vikram, Devi and Nidhin presented the result of their research. 23 stakeholders had been interviewed; 44 units and working groups surveyed; and 18 groups had shared data headers.

Most groups acknowledged the need for an ASO. “Currently we have an opinion-driven decision making process. We as a community have to shift to a data-driven decision making process.” “Statistics will combat corruption in Auroville by making data transparent and accessible.” said those in favour of an ASO. But there were differing views as well: “Statistics fit only to a certain mindset. Numbers are not that important when the thrust is spiritual.”

The group also identified the problems of present data collection and preservation: duplication of data; lack of standards; errors in data entry; missing data; no guard against data loss. Even Asyncto, the joint database of the Residents’ Service, the Financial Service and the Auroville Electrical Service, suffers from these defects.

The group also observed that some working groups sit on large amounts of often un-analysed data because of poor knowledge and lack of expertise. There is also a possessive attitude towards data and an unwillingness to share.

The researchers are now identifying the appropriate data base technology and software. Finding qualified Aurovilians to run the ASO will be a next step. Amongst its first tasks, the ASO will have to develop a uniform data and information management system, a central data warehouse, and design guidelines for data sharing. The Working Groups will need to be convinced to accept the system. For only then can the ASO start providing statistical support for policy decisions as an independent public community service.