An open letter calling for the collective to restore Auroville as a leading light for human unity.
Previously published June 4, 2026
An Open Letter to Auroville
I am writing this as an individual who has lived a life in Auroville.
The development of the city has never been in question, but the way in which it is being built is paramount to its future.
How we plan and how we execute our designs and build matters. Auroville is not a typical city where construction companies simply come in to erect buildings; it is defined by its people and the vibrant mix of culture it brings to the world.
We speak often of “human unity,” but we must remember that every individual is an integral part of this project.
Reflecting on the events of December 4th 2021, it is clear that two incidents shook Auroville to its core: the destruction of the Youth Centre with heavy machinery, and the subsequent booing during our meeting at the Unity Pavilion. Both incidents should never have occurred.
When the foundation made the decision to destroy the Centre, it acted as a catalyst; the community’s resulting anger and frustration were expressed loudly in the meetings that followed.
There is currently so much frustration, disappointment, and sadness regarding what could have been one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Now, it is up to our collective thinking and our collective willpower to remedy this situation, to heal, and to restore Auroville to what it was intended to be: a place for human unity.
Or let it slide into a touristic hotspot selling trinkets to the searching souls.
By Muniandi Radhakrishna
Publisheed on Facebook