Auroville-the present situation

It appears that Auroville has lost its sense of identity and purpose is fast becoming just like any other town or city governed by a few individuals or groups who want to exploit the international and domestic goodwill for their personal benefit.
There is no accountability or transparency in the financial dealings.The Residents assembly which is supposed to be the ultimate authority in all matters is totally dysfunctional and not in the least interested in the happenings in Auroville.The social,cultural and educational issues which are the raison de etre of Auroville are being totally sidelined and everyone seems to have reconciled themselves to leading a humdrum  and inane existence.
It is obvious that unless there is a total re-organisation of the existing set up,there is little hope for Auroville.Since under the provisions of the Auroville Foundation Act,1988,all properties,lands and buildings vest in the Central Government it is imperative that there be well laid down procedures for managing the day to day affairs in Auroville in accordance with the Auroville Charter. There should be an annual audit by the CAG and its report published on the internet for the benefit of all those who are passionately concerned about Auroville.
Since Auroville is intended to be a city of 50000 people there have to be certain objective criteria for admission of new residents and their accomodation and work issues.At the same time individuals who are acting contrary to the spirit of Auroville should be weeded out and asked to leave.
It is in the interest of Auroville that urgent steps be taken to inculcate a sense of unity and purpose in everyone presently living in Auroville.

Auroville-the beginnings

Auroville was founded as a project of the Sri Aurobindo Society on Wednesday 28 February 1968 by Mirra Alfassa, "The Mother". She was spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo, who believed that "man is a transitional being". Mother expected that this experimental "universal township" would contribute significantly in the "progress of humanity towards its splendid future by bringing together people of goodwill and aspiration for a better world." Mother also believed that such a universal township will contribute decisively to the Indian renaissance (Ref. Mother's Agenda, Vol. 9, dt.3.02.68). The Government of India endorsed the township, and in 1966, UNESCO also endorsed it inviting the member-states to participate in the development of Auroville. UNESCO re-endorsed Auroville four times more in the course of the last 40 years.

In the inauguration ceremony attended by delegates of 124 nations on 28 February 1968, Mother gave Auroville its 4-point Charter setting forth her vision of Integral living:

1. Auroville belongs to nobody in particular. Auroville belongs to humanity as a whole. But to live in Auroville, one must be the willing servitor of the Divine Consciousness.
2. Auroville will be the place of an unending education, of constant progress, and a youth that never ages.
3. Auroville wants to be the bridge between the past and the future. Taking advantage of all discoveries from without and from within, Auroville will boldly spring towards future realisations.
4. Auroville will be a site of material and spiritual researches for a living embodiment of an actual Human Unity.                                                                                                                                    The entire region was a wasteland and the local people were using the entire area for agricultural purposes.The first Aurovillians,both Europeans and Indians enthusiastically set about the task of building the town to The Mothers specifications.It was a formidable task converting the barren land into an oasis fit for human inhabitation but the basic task was done within a span of 5 years.                                                                                                                     The Matrimandir,which is the soul of Auroville, is a dome like structure,covered with golden petals and houses a huge meditation chamber inside.