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May 2002
Mother's message to the employees of Sri Aurobindo Ashram 1954
All my effort is towards realising in
the world as much truth as actual circumstances will allow, and
with the increase of truth, the welfare and happiness of all will
necessarily increase.
Difference of caste and class have no
truth for me; all that counts is individual value. My aim is to
create a big family in which it will be possible for each one to
fully develop his capacities and express them. Each one will have
his place and occupation in accordance with his capacities and in
a relation of goodwill and brotherhood.
As a consequence of such a family organisation there will be no
need of remuneration or wages. Work should not be a means of
earning one's livelihood; its purpose should be two-fold: first to
develop one's nature and capacity for action, and, secondly, in
proportion to one's physical means and moral and intellectual
aptitude, to give service to the family to which one belongs and
to whose welfare it is but proper to contribute, as it is proper
for the family to provide for the real needs of each of its
members.
To give a concrete form to this ideal
under the present conditions of life, my idea is to build a kind
of city accommodating at the outset about two thousand persons. It
will be built according to the most modern plans, meeting all the
most up-to-date requirements of hygiene and public health. It will
have not only residential houses, but also gardens and sports
grounds for physical culture. Each family will be lodged in a
separate house; bachelors will be grouped according to their
occupations and affinities. Nothing necessary for life will be
forgotten. Kitchens equipped in the most modern hygienic way will
supply equally to all simple and healthy food, assuring the energy
necessary for the proper maintenance of the body. They will
function on a cooperative basis of work in common and of
collaboration.
In the matter of education, what is
necessary is to arrange for the moral and intellectual instruction
and development of all, children and adults: various schools,
technical instruction in different vocations, classes for music
and dance, a cinema hall where educational films will be shown, a
lecture hall, a library, a reading room, varied physical
education, a sports ground and so on.
Each one can choose the kind of
activity that is most suitable to his nature and will receive the
required training. Even small gardens will be provided where those
who like cultivation can grow flowers, fruits and vegetables.
In the matter of health, there will be
regular medical visits, a hospital, a dispensary, a nursing home
for the segregation of contagious cases. A department of hygiene
will have the exclusive function of inspecting all public and
private buildings to see that the most rigorous rules of
cleanliness are observed everywhere and by all. As natural
adjuncts to this department public baths and common laundries will
be put at the disposal of all.
Finally, big stores will be set up
where one can find all the small "extras" which give
life variety and pleasantness and which one will get against
"coupons" that will be given in recompense for
especially notable achievement in work or conduct. ...
It goes without saying that for
admission to live in this ideal place the essential conditions
that need to be fulfilled are good character, good conduct,
honest, regular and efficient work and a general goodwill."
The Mother : 10 July 1954
(MCW Vol. 13 pp. 179-181)
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