Issue Nº342 – News in brief

A mixed-media outdoor exhibition of works by Auroville artists was held in the boulder garden of the Matrimandir in January.

The third edition of ‘Art for Land’, in which artists donate work to raise money to acquire land for Auroville, was inaugurated on 1st January at the Unity Pavilion. This time, a record number of more than 70 artists participated. The works will be exhibited at the Unity Pavilion until 15th February. Visit: artforland.auroville.org

In late December, the team which is planning the Line of Goodwill, a megastructure that will stretch from Matrimandir to close by the Visitors’ Center, made their second presentation to the community. They outlined the work done so far by a team of seventeen architects, and asked for support from the community for a project which they described as a way of ‘reinvigorating The Dream’. While certain concerns were raised from the floor, including the relevance of such a project at this stage of Auroville, its impact upon the environment and its ‘commercial’ orientation, 48 people answered the call to participate in twelve areas that need to be researched for its manifestation.

The exploring prosperity team is investigating how the community can move closer to the system of prosperity as envisaged by The Mother and which operated in the early years of Auroville. Focus groups have formed to study the possibilities of short, medium and long-term solutions in eight different areas, including Auroville services, commercial units, education and self-governance.

For many years, Auroviians and guests have suffered from Auroville’s dusty roads. This will now change. The Neyveli Lignite Corporation has made a donation to the value of Rs 1.1 crore from its Corporate Social Responsibility funds for making the access road in front of the Visitors’ Centre. The donation includes Neyveli paving the road with paver blocks, as well as the service road to the back entrance of the Visitors’ Centre, the pathway from the parking area to the Visitors’ Centre and a bus bay.

The Auroville Road Service has started paving the road from the Solar Kitchen to the Kindergarten, also with paver blocks.

The dirt road from the Certitude corner to the Solar Kitchen roundabout will be stabilized by the Road Service, using the poured earth concrete technology developed by the Auroville Earth Institute.

All works are scheduled to be ready before the visit of the Prime Minister in February 2018.

The new L’Avenir team has announced they will be holding regular interactions with the community. On the first Monday of every month at 3 pm, people are invited to visit their office for exchanges and dialogue on everything to do with city planning.

The Auroville Council and the Working Committee have completed the selection of an Entry Board. Under the new entry policy, the Board will oversee the Newcomer process and participate in deciding whether or not a Newcomer becomes an Aurovilian.

A new website showcasing “What Auroville does for the world” – what progressive regenerative practices and culture are developed, demonstrated and taught in Auroville – has been created. The website will be a backbone for crowdfunding for land, and will be a central source of relevant information for all fundraising for Auroville. Visit: funding.auroville.org.

On 29th of December, the 50th anniversary planning team gave an update to the community on planned events.

Among other events, there will be a water ceremony after the early morning meditation on 28th February 2018, in the Amphitheatre. It is proposed that water from different water bodies of the world, including the seven sacred rivers of India, be collected and brought to Auroville. Individuals who would like to participate should contact worldwater@auroville.org.in for more details. Meanwhile, Auroville Earth Institute plans to build a rammed earth wall composed of earth coming from all over the world. For further info go to www.earth-auroville.com or communication@earth-auroville.com

The Government of India has made a special grant to the amount of Rs 10 crores for fixed assets expenditure for Auroville’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The spending is allocated and monitored by the 50th Core Team together with the Secretary and Under Secretary of the Auroville Foundation. A request for an additional grant for ‘general’ expenditure for the 50th celebrations is pending.