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demanding and rather unrewarding in terms of satisfaction, as it is beset by the
internal contradictions of the community and its conflicting intents.
Selvam would often share with me the questions and problems encountered in his
work and would ask me to help bring up the main point in clear formulations.
Periodically over the years, various people and groups of people have discussed and
thrashed at the vexing matter of admission into Auroville and the conditions for it,
in relation to the actual behaviour and standards of those already in.
The following is a paper I had put together for their group to use as a basis for
further proposals, on Selvam’s request; it is a fairly good example and indicator of
the numerous papers and formulations that have been produced and are still, to
date, being produced.
*Draft on Admission to Auroville.
1- Auroville wants to be a self-supporting township.
Auroville seeks to organise itself so that the needs of its residents are provided for
without any internal circulation of money.
In order to achieve this aim, it is essential that:
- All those who reside in Auroville actively participate in its life and development.
- Each one contributes to the maximum of one’s capacities to the welfare of all, in
work, in kind, and financially.
- Industries and productive units contribute their profits to Auroville.
2- Conditions for admission.
- Commitment to the aims and ideals of Auroville as expressed in the “Charter of
Auroville”, in the document titled “To be a true Aurovilian” and in relevant
messages and conversations of the Mother.
- Commitment to the actual realisation of human unity.
- Commitment to respect the laws of the country.
3- The process of admission.
The process of admission is the responsibility of the Entry Group, an organ formed
by the Residents Assembly for the purpose.
The admission may only take place at the end of a probation period, which is
usually of one year but may extend up to two years or, in the case of individuals
who, being of local origins, are subjected to immediate cultural and family
pressures, even longer.
- After up to three months of stay in Auroville, one makes the request of being
accepted as a “newcomer” for the probation period.
- For acceptance as a “newcomer” one must state clearly one’s financial situation
and determine, with the Entry Group, one’s requirements, abilities and financial
contribution to Auroville. Auroville will generally not maintain a “newcomer”.
- During the probation period one is expected to identify one’s area of work and
participation and to make one’s assessment as conscious as possible of one’s
commitment, given the present conditions of life in Auroville.
- One ought to develop sufficient practice of the English language and, optimally, of
the Tamil language as well.