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RELATIONS WITH LOCAL VILLAGERS
Mother Divine, A few points on which Thy divine guidance is required. There is resistance from the villagers in selling their lands. This may be because we have done nothing to integrate them with Auroville. They feel it is a foreign imposition on them which will do them no good but will drive them from their hearths and homes. Should we not demonstrate to them our real intentions by providing them with facilities such as a dispensary, a school, clean drinking water, etc.? This would be money well spent if it is done with love and humility and not as charity.
This is indispensable. April 1969 (Someone working at the Community Workers Kitchen near Aspiration wrote:) Some would like to continue giving food to the workers, others feel that even if funds were available they could be utilised better elsewhere. Please give us your guidance.
Once you have started giving food to the workmen, you cannot stop doing so, otherwise you would lose their confidence. This is imperative – show it to the others. Blessings to all. 4 April 1969 Page – 248 (After the departure of the supervisor of the Community Workers Kitchen, someone wrote:) The feeding of the Auroville workers has never been interrupted and I personally will manage it, till a new arrangement can be found.
Very good.
It would give all of us strength and the awareness of unity if this programme of giving a free midday meal to all Auroville workers received a message from you.
Goodwill for all and goodwill from all is the basis of peace and harmony. Blessings. 13 August 1969
Those who are in contact with the villagers should not forget that these people are worth as much as they are, that they know as much, that they think and feel as well as they do. They should therefore never have an attitude of ridiculous superiority. They are at home and you are the visitors. September or October 1969 To the inhabitants of Aspiration: A relationship that is not only cordial but friendly with the inhabitants of the neighbouring village is absolutely indispensable. For the realisation of Auroville the first step is to establish a true human fraternity ― any shortcoming in this regard is a grave mistake which can compromise the whole work. My blessings are with all sincere effort towards harmony. 23 November 1969 Page – 249 In connection with the integration programme of the families from the village, which started on 7 August 1970, we pray for your guidance in the following:
(1) Whether they are to be treated as Aurovilians in all matters. Yes.
(2) Whether regular Prosperity should be issued to them. Yes. (3) Whether all Prosperity items can be taken from Auroville Prosperity. All that they choose to take.
(4) Whether any guiding principles should be laid down for them on joining Auroville. If yes, the Mother may kindly enlighten us.
Certainly it would be good if somebody was intelligent enough to do it and do it well.
(5) Whether any particular amount for food should be fixed per person per day; if yes, whether Rs. 2.50 per adult and Rs. 2.00 per child will be all right. There must be a period of at least one month during which they are given what they ask. Afterwards we shall see what may be done reasonably.
10 September 1970 As we intend to serve a better type of food than the Page – 250 villagers usually take, is it advisable to allow those who are willing to take food from the Community Kitchen on payment at a reasonable rate?
Yes at cost price. Blessings. November 1970
From the spiritual point of view, India is the foremost country in the world. Her mission is to set the example of spirituality. Sri Aurobindo came on earth to teach this to the world. This fact is so obvious that a simple and ignorant peasant here is, in his heart, closer to the Divine than the intellectuals of Europe. All those who want to become Aurovilians must know this and behave accordingly; otherwise they are unworthy of being Aurovilians. 8 February 1972 Someone offered to help to clean Last School
It is all right. But while putting things in order, be very careful not to offend the people from the Tamil village. It has been very difficult for us to win their confidence and nothing should be done which could make them lose this new-born confidence which is of capital importance. Take with you someone who knows and speaks Tamil fluently so that you can talk with them and explain things to them. They are your brothers in spirit ― this should never be forgotten. July 1972 Page – 251 |