Starting on a dry and barren plateau in 1968, Auroville, over the past 50 years, has turned into a vibrant community with approximately 2,700 people from 54 countries. To celebrate its golden jubilee, the Auroville Foundation has set up an exhibition at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) to give Delhiites a glimpse into the “Auroville way of life”.
Inaugurating the event and participating in a panel discussion on the “Journey of Auroville City for Humanity”, Rajya Sabha Member and Chairman of the Auroville Foundation Karan Singh said the event is of significance as many in Delhi hold Sri Aurobindo in high regard but do not know much about Auroville.
“The way Aurovillians have converted sand and rock in 50 years into a green oasis with beautiful structures is a remarkable achievement and it is a continuing process that more people should know about and experience,” said Dr. Singh.
Frederick, who was among of the first Aurovillians, recounted stories of how the first few people from across the world joined the community and started planting trees to lay the foundation of the “Auroville adventure”.
“The first people who came in the 1960s were rather wild and a shock for the ashram. However, each one found themselves from within. Now the time has come to look up and look forward to become a partner to India and the world, and share the results of many experiments and research conducted at Auroville,” he said.
Mark Tully, the former bureau chief of BBC in India and a member of the International Advisory Council of the Auroville Foundation for 12 years, said Auroville will grow in two ways in the next 50 years. Firstly, he hoped the city of Auroville will grow without losing its principles by sticking to the original plan and secondly, that its influence on the rest of the world will grow by become a shining light on how people can live in harmony.
“The Auroville concept has never been more important than today in a world where materialism and consumerism is doing enormous damage to society,” said Mr. Tully.
Clapton, who has been living in Auroville for the past seven years, said what drew him to to the community was the diversity of people who could express themselves freely, and lean more about culture and humanity.
Mr. Clapton said, “I am from Rwanda and have been working towards trying to bring other African cultures to mix with the existing culture at Auroville. We are only 2,700 strong. One day, we will hopefully grow to be 50,000 strong.”
The exhibition offers visitors a chance to try products and food made in Auroville, and participate in interactive activities such as “Awareness Through the Body” workshops and an Eco Femme stitching activity. Once can taste fresh coffee, pizzas made in a wood-fired oven and chocolates made in Auroville as part of the exhibition, besides a range of innovate products from Auroville. The event is on till November 26.
