The idea of a place on earth open to all nationalities, but belonging to mankind as a whole has always drawn creative and contrarian minds to the universal township of Auroville.
Ever since it was founded in 1968 by The Mother, Sri Aurobindo’s spiritual associate , as a place of unending education and spiritual quest to actualise the concept of human unity in diversity, Auroville has symbolised a microcosm of the world itself.
And, as the years have rolled by, seekers of truth from all corners of the globe have signed up for Auroville’s unique charter. From about 320 residents in 1972 to 676 in 1980 and about 1,519 residents and 40 nationalities a decade ago, the Auroville population now is approaching 2,500 members featuring 53 nationalities.
Remarkably, newer Aurovillians hail from countries such as Israel, Latvia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Denmark, Czechoslavakia, Finland, Kazakhstan and China. However, the demographic core is still made up of Indians (1025), French (348) and German (270) members.
While it is hard to apply conventional parameters to determine Auroville’s growth, which, by The Mother’s charter itself, is conceived as a constantly evolving place, the intake of members has been slow for various reasons, not least of it the problem of housing.
The master-plan document of 2001 had noted that the population growth had been rather slow. “However, it may be observed that since a critical mass has already been formed and the development activities are picking up, Auroville will attract a large number of people from various countries in the years to come.”
The document also noted that a number of international centres had been set up in different countries, and a similar exercise was also proposed in different States within India. These centres will disseminate information about Auroville, thereby raising awareness and attracting resource persons in larger numbers for the expansion of the present activities of Auroville.
The Auroville master plan for a galaxy-shaped city had envisaged housing a population of 50,000 by 2025. However, a more realistic aspiration as P.R. Srinivasamurty, under-secretary, Auroville Foundation says, is to double the number of inhabitants to 5,000 by 2018 when the universal township celebrates its golden jubilee.
Auroville is a city in the making, a work in progress, and has been growing organically according to the people who come and “feel called” to be part of this experiment.
Aurovillians say that for the city to happen, people need to take the responsibility to build and finance the construction of homes. These homes can vary in costs and types according to the needs of the people, but must be first approved by L'Avenir d'Auroville, the panel that gives approval according to the master plan.
