Auroville is not meant for tourists, nor is the Matrimandir for pilgrims

Letters To Tehelka Write to letters@tehelka.com From Tehelka Magazine, Vol 5, Issue 43, Dated Nov 01, 2008 A HOME, NOT A ZOO

This refers to the letter from Col CV Venugopalan (Retd) (Human Zoo, 1 October) on the Auroville community. I’m afraid it’s full of inaccuracies, bias and venom. As an Indian, having spent six years in Auroville, I am disturbed to find that you have rushed to such a conclusion after a single visit, probably only a couple of hours long.

You did not even make any effort to verify your initial perceptions. You appear Internet savvy; just a quick visit to the Auroville website would have cleared things up. Instead, you chose to respond with malicious delight at PC Vinoj Kumar’s prurient and inaccurate piece. While 50 percent of Auroville is Indian, there are over 40 nationalities represented here.

Also, Auroville is not meant for tourists, nor is the Matrimandir for pilgrims. The only way to experience Auroville is to stay here as a guest, or better still, to work for Auroville or what it stands for, as many do. Only then will Auroville reveal its true self to you. Priya Sundaravalli, on email