Remembering the inauguration of Auroville

All the villages were present…
Damodaran Harikrishna remembers the inauguration of Auroville

Damodaran Harikrishna from the village of Kuilapalayam is one of the first tamil men who helped to build to bridge between the Aurovilians and locals. Today he is over 60 years old, some of his children are active members of the Auroville community. February the 28^th in 1968 is a day that stands out in his memory.
‘There was a festive atmosphere that day. A huge crowd came in buses from Pondicherry. The entire village of Kuliapalayam was there and everyone from the other surrounding villages – Edayanchavadi and Kottakarai. People were from all parts of India and over 120 other countries. They brought earth from their lands; it was mingled together in the urn. This was to be a universal city meant for all human beings. It was Mother’s vision, and what a noble concept it was! To work together in unity, in honesty, and selflessly for all.’

When the day actually came it was a huge effort…
Kalya (Michel) Lemaire, Mother’s great grandson, remembers… 

‘I can’t recall the exact number but I have 7000 people in mind (5000 is the official number usually quoted). The Amphitheatre site was totally surrounded by the huge crowd, many of whom have come from the surrounding villages. And of course everyone from the Ashram was there, particularly those involved directly in the Auroville project at the time. The Auroville Charter was read in many languages, starting with the Mother reading it first in French from her room in the Ashram via a temporary telephone line connecting her room to the speakers on site. That was impressive. The overall feeling of that day was that it was very impressive, very well organized. We felt we were really announcing something big, though immediately after the ceremony it felt like quite a come-down. So much had been planned and happened, but now…what?!’

A happiness that came from the deep feeling that somehow we were in the right place at the right time
Fabienne Bernard (Kalya’s cousin) remembers…

‘I must say the most important memory for me is that we were all tremendously, intensely and quietly happy, and that happiness came from the deep feeling that somehow we were in the right place at the right time with the right persons, participating in a formidable and wonderful event that certainly would help bring more joy, beauty and friendliness to the word. Now that might seem a little superlative but that is because it was superlative. We were blessed with superlative happiness…it was as if Her dynamic and joyful Presence was everywhere, covering the whole event, in all its details, like an atmosphere enveloping with the Ashram, the whole town of Pondy and the whole area of Auroville. There was a tremendous enthusiasm, dynamism and joy…a joy of being there.’

The atmosphere was vibrating
Poppo Pingel, who represented Germany, remembers…

‘We stopped in the middle of nowhere and were told to get out. It was around 10 o’clock, already hot, though there were some shaded stands. We d to sit there. The atmosphere was vibrating. I could feel the enormity of it all. I was young, I had just been invited to participate, by the greatness of that moment…What I did feel was the human unity, the international atmosphere, like what you may feel in the Olympic games, but there is many much vital while here it was bright, it was od another quality. People told me, we need people like you with Indian experience.’ Poppo eventually moved to Auroville, he is living here till today.