The whole world is here

Auroville Today: What was your childhood like?

Sathiya: My dad is from Edayanchavadi Village. As he was facing challenges with his family, he moved to Auroville and over time worked in many units such as Aureka and Aurelec. He met my mother in Auroville. She was born in Kodaikanal, a hill station in the Western Ghats, and came to Auroville to avoid marrying someone she didn’t know. She’d heard about Auroville, took a train to get here and started working, initially at Auroville Health Center, then shifted to New Creation School. For the past 30 or 40 years, she’s been devoted to Transition School, coordinating workers and organising. I was born in 1986 and lived my entire life in Auroville. My entire schooling journey unfolded within Auroville, from Kindergarten to Future School.

How was school for you? Did you enjoy it?

Immensely. Even if I faced challenges in certain subjects, there was always a teacher to support me. It’s not like that outside; there, you’re left to figure things out on your own. Here, there’s a tremendous amount of care for the children. Each child is looked after individually, addressing their unique needs, and that’s what makes it so beautiful here.

Children here are given more autonomy to learn and explore their interests. Personally, I believe Auroville offers the best education. I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to have attended Auroville schools from kindergarten through Transition and Future School. The dedication of so many teachers, to name a few, such as Marie-Claire, and Lisbeth, who continue to inspire future generations, is truly remarkable.

What choices did you make after you finished your education at Future School?

Many of my classmates were exploring different paths, some opting to study and travel abroad to discover the world. But the idea of venturing outside never interested me because I felt everything I needed was here. Auroville offers diverse communities and a multitude of nationalities, making it a rich and fulfilling environment to grow up in.

There was no pressure from your parents for you to pursue further education?

Exams were not at all a source of pressure for us. They understood that Auroville was the ideal environment for exploration and discovery, so they allowed us the freedom to pursue our interests without the burden of exam stress.

You never felt that need to leave?

Never. Despite invitations from my sister in France to explore the world, I’ve never felt the urge to leave Auroville. Every summer, she calls me urging me to visit, but I always find myself drawn to simply stay in Auroville. I can’t quite explain it; this place is home, it has everything I need.

I simply don’t feel the need to leave, when I hear from everyone, especially French people, that India feels like home. The outside world seems too busy and narrow in some ways, not like the life I want to live. Here, in India, there’s freedom, warmth, and a vibrancy that I cherish. Though I haven’t explored much, based on others’ experiences, I feel like I belong here. This is my place. 

So what path did you follow after leaving Future School?

Future School offered opportunities for part-time work, allowing its students to explore various areas of interest within our community. I helped Aryadeep in the Land Board, managing acknowledgments and receipts for donations. Subsequently, when a secretary position opened up for the Council, I applied and was happy to have been selected among three other candidates.

You have been with the Council for a long time. Why this interest in the work of the Council?

I’ve been with the Council since 2007, nearly 17 years now. It has been a fulfilling journey and still is. Working with diverse individuals at the Auroville Council allowed me to gain comprehensive insights into the structure and functioning of Auroville’s various working groups.

Recently, I was chosen as a Council member. I didn’t nominate myself; it was the residents who felt I should take on this role. After all these years, I believe it’s time for me to step into this new responsibility.

Initially, I was hesitant to step forward, hoping to see a diverse representation from the community in these groups. I believe it is essential for more residents to explore and comprehend the inner workings of the Council and working groups. Those actively involved in these groups grasp the complexities and challenges they encounter, which are often underestimated.

Can you elaborate on these challenges?

When you’re actively involved in a group, you begin to appreciate the time and effort invested in crafting policies and mandates, ensuring a balanced approach that considers various perspectives. However, when these policies are presented to the community, there’s often a disconnect. People feel they haven’t been adequately consulted or that the process lacks the right spirit.

Despite undergoing a thorough community review process, important documents and mandates often go unnoticed by individuals who fail to read emails or engage with the content. It’s a common human tendency to overlook matters until they personally impact us. Even then, attitudes may not shift, despite the realisation that one can actively participate and influence outcomes.

It’s disheartening to see a lack of proactive engagement, especially when addressing a concern is as simple as starting a conversation. For the Council is not a closed group. It is very open to people, and it welcomes people exploring new ways of working together and collectively improving our community lifestyle. People need to step up and voice their ideas for change. Too often, they dismiss the possibility, assuming no one will listen without even trying. But before they claim nobody listens, have they even attempted to engage? There are numerous platforms available for expressing proposals and gathering support. It’s intriguing because we frequently hear complaints about inaction, yet there are numerous avenues available for action. It’s important to recognise that proposals aren’t solely the Council’s responsibility; they require community approval. We serve as intermediaries between residents and groups. If someone wishes to enact change, they can propose it to the council for review, but ultimately, it’s the community’s feedback that matters most.

Unfortunately, the current situation we are facing involves policies being imposed rather than collaboratively developed. The working groups constituted by the Governing Board prioritise imposition rather than collaboration and do not consider the human aspect. For example, recently we received reports of people being asked to leave their homes without alternative housing being proposed, which goes against the spirit of Auroville. This shift in attitude is disheartening, especially considering our longstanding efforts to uphold the collaborative spirit of Auroville. The attitude baffles me. They make decisions without truly knowing the community members or understanding their backgrounds and contributions. In housing surveys, for instance, there’s a disconnect when decisions are made by people who lack personal connections with those affected.

Has the Council been recognized by the working groups constituted by the Governing Board?

Not really. There was at one time a request to submit to them the Council’s financial accounts. Despite our cooperation, without warning our maintenance budget was completely cut a few months ago, from one day to the next. This follows the takeover, two years ago, of the Auroville Council’s email IDs. When questioned about how we were supposed to receive notifications, they claimed it wasn’t their concern. They are solely focused on their own agenda.

Has the Council been involved in visa issues?

We are aware of the issues. Maybe the new team can see with the Secretary on this even though it is not the role of the Council, but a concern of all of us. It’s deeply troubling to hear that some individuals are being denied their visa extensions. It pains immensely to see people’s lives being disrupted, especially those who have dedicated decades of their lives to Auroville.

Yet the Council continues its work …

It’s like we’re swimming against the stream. And we need to keep going. Auroville is The Mother’s project, and it will persist despite any obstacles in our path. We try to maintain a positive mindset and continue moving forward. The success of the recent selection process for members of the working groups constituted by the Residents’ Assembly fills me with hope and gratitude for everyone’s contributions. It was conducted very beautifully, very harmoniously in the spirit of Auroville. As soon as you entered the room, you could feel the warmth and beauty emanating from the people there. Even when addressing potentially negative feedback, it was done in such a caring and respectful manner that you never felt attacked or offended. It was truly a beautiful process, as many have attested.

What are some of the other positive things you’ve encountered during this period?

I’ve noticed that we’re becoming more united. There’s a growing sense of generosity, care, and understanding among us as we get to know each other better.

I used to be somewhat detached, in my own world, but now I actively participate in many meetings, fully engaged and aware of what’s happening. Everyone is striving to uphold the spirit of Auroville, and it’s truly beautiful. This sense of unity and purpose is something I hadn’t felt before, or maybe it used to be stronger in the earlier days, or perhaps I had forgotten, but now it’s resurfacing amidst the challenges we face.

So your commitment to Auroville hasn’t changed?

It hasn’t. I’m immensely grateful for being part of this community, surrounded by so many individuals whom I consider family. It’s not just about knowing people; it’s about caring for them deeply. The love and support I receive from them are truly heartwarming.

Yet, you have sent your two children to a school in Pondicherry. Is this because of all the tensions that are happening in Auroville now?

Things have changed. When I went to school, all the children were very connected to nature. There were no mobile phones, there were hardly any TVs, we were immersed in the wildness of the trees. Back then, there was nobody really watching over us. We’d leave home at seven in the morning and return at six, spending the whole day out and about. There were no worries about kidnappings or anything like that. It was a carefree time.

But my children do not have that same bond with the earth, the trees and nature. Sometimes I feel bad seeing them spending so much time on their phones or watching TV.

I initially wished for my children to be in Auroville. However, as times change, so do our dreams for our children. They have been accepted into a school outside Auroville, which is also a good opportunity, although different from what I had envisioned.

Was this of their own choosing?

I wanted them to be in Auroville, but their father had a different perspective. He believed that though the situation in Auroville is unique, they should experience life outside as well. He feels it is important for them to explore the world beyond Auroville, what life outside is like. They will come back eventually.

My younger daughter often expresses her longing for Nandanam School in Auroville, where she had such a wonderful time. She believes it’s the best school, even after being at the Pondy school for almost three years. She misses her classmates and the activities like swimming pool outings that were a part of her time at Nandanam. She finds the current school outside Auroville boring and feels disconnected from the other children there.

Here, there’s the opportunity to meet her friends in their homes, spending quality time together. So she has maintained her friendships here in Auroville.

You expect them to continue living in Auroville when their schooling in Pondicherry is over?

I don’t know if they want to pursue further education in India or abroad. That’s up to them. But I have noticed that many Auroville children who have studied abroad or elsewhere in India, and even have worked there for some time, eventually return to Auroville.