Editorial

How does one change deeply entrenched attitudes which are causing harm to the environment and to the most vulnerable sectors of society? This month we identify some of these attitudes in both Auroville and in Indian society as they relate to waste disposal, sanitary pads and to the purchase of drinking water in plastic bottles, and we show how Aurovilians are finding new ways of promoting behavioural change.

One of the key elements here is learning to think beyond the limits of Auroville, to be willing to interact with the larger India in the pursuit of solutions. The recent decision, which we report on here, of the Town Development Council to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with a local village to promote co-development is another sign that Auroville is increasingly taking on its larger responsibilities to its bio-region and to India as a whole.