Ministry of Education Officials Visit Auroville, Extend Support for Holistic Development

Ministry of Education Officials Visit Auroville, Express Support for Development Projects

Bommayapalayam, Tamil Nadu – May 2025 — A senior delegation from the Ministry of Education, Government of India, visited Auroville to conduct an in-depth review of development activities, regulatory measures, and collaborative opportunities within the community.

The delegation included:

1. Shri Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary
2. Dr. Saila Shah, Deputy Secretary
3. Shri Sameer Bakshi, Section Officer
4. Shri Naveen Kumar, Assistant Section Officer

Their visit, guided by the Auroville Foundation, involved detailed discussions with officers including Mr. Angshuman Basu (Accounts Officer) and Mr. Venugopal (Senior Consultant), as well as members of the Governing Board Committees.

The delegation focused on understanding:

1. The regulatory frameworks governing Auroville
2. Proposed development projects for the city and the Green Belt
3. Grant-in-aid requirements and land acquisition processes

They expressed strong support for the initiatives led by Dr. Jayanti S. Ravi, Secretary of the Auroville Foundation, and acknowledged her strategic leadership in ensuring transparent governance and sustainable growth.

🏞️ Site Visits Included:

1. Matrimandir
2. Svaram (musical instruments)
3. Food processing units (jams and juices)
4. Perfumed candle manufacturing
5. Chocolate and leather product manufacturing units

These visits offered insight into Auroville’s innovation, entrepreneurship, and self-sustaining economic model.

The delegation also met with key community representatives:

1. Sindhuja, Auroville Town Development Council (ATDC)
2. Antim, Admissions & Terminations Scrutinizing Committee (ATSC)
3. Margarita, Funds and Assets Management Committee (FAMC)
4. Joseba, Working Committee

These interactions highlighted the community’s development priorities, challenges, and proposals. The dialogue emphasized collaborative governance, community empowerment, and the need for formal regulatory notification to facilitate Auroville’s planned growth.

“This visit marks a vital step in establishing a robust administrative structure for Auroville,” noted Foundation officials, “and reaffirms the Ministry's ongoing support for its vision of an experimental township built on principles of unity, sustainability, and innovation.”

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