Entry Service annual report

The Entry Service reported that in the period April 2022 to May 2023, 49 new Aurovilians joined, 10 Auroville youth turned 18, 113 Newcomers were admitted, as well as 3 Friends of Auroville and 2 relatives/spouses of Aurovilians.

Throughout the year, the Entry Board interacted with applicants from all categories interested in joining the Auroville experiment. The Board conducted more than 250 sharings/interviews in collaboration with respective mentors. Several people in Savitri Bhavan and in Brahmanaspati Kshetram extended their assistance in helping local applicants understand the aims and objectives of Auroville and gain knowledge about the founders, the Mother and Sri Aurobindo. Non-Indian applicants were met individually to assist them in obtaining a Letter of Recommendation for their visa from the Auroville Foundation office.

Despite the challenges posed by the post Covid-19 restrictions, the Aspiration Team provided valuable support to potential applicants, offering up-to-date information and resources to aid their integration into Auroville. The Welcome Talk and Yucca programme resumed monthly sessions from April 2022 onwards. In May 2023 the Youth Link prepared a programme for the Auroville youth who want to join Auroville as adults and conscious individuals. The programme was a successful venture for the participants as well as for the facilitators. 

The Entry Board listed as one of its major challenges that in August 2022 it was removed from the 'auroville.org.in' domain without being given any explanation and had to create two new email addresses, e.g. [email protected] and [email protected]. The Board also observed that there are delays in obtaining Recommendation Letters for visa from the office of the Auroville Foundation for aspiring Newcomers of foreign origin; that there is a lack of passionate and qualified mentors from diverse backgrounds to support applicants and aid the Board's decision-making process; and that housing remains a major issue for applicants, as they must secure a long-term contract in Auroville to complete their newcomer process and become Aurovilians.