Alternative economy

To: Shri R.N. Ravi, Chairman, Governing Board, Auroville Foundation. Subject: The MoU with IIT Madras & Land Use Concerns Dear Shri R.N. Ravi ji,

When the Oxford English Dictionary adds a new term, it’s time to sit up and take notice. In 2015, the term “sharing economy” was added to the dictionary with the following definition: “sharing economy: (n.): an economic system in which assets or services are shared between private individuals, either for free or for a fee, typically by means of the internet”.

The Auroville Library of Things (ALoT), which has been operating for six months, is gradually developing into a useful community service. Located in a container near the Solar Kitchen, the ALoT intends to collect and lend out items that are unused by its owner.

From 4th December - 7th January, an Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) course was held in Auroville for the first time. The Aurovilian organizers invited participants not only from Auroville but also from the bioregion, India and the world.

Records of Auroville’s history during Mother’s lifetime are found in periodicals (Mother India, the Bulletin of Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education, the Information Letter of the Sri Aurobindo Society and the Gazette Aurovilienne), in books published by disciples (Satprem, Shyam Sunder, Huta, Savitra), in archives (Sri Aurobindo Society, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville), in personal archives as well as in published and unpublished interviews of disciples (Roger Anger and others).