New Delhi: In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and commemorating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo, the Ministry of Education is orchestrating a week-long educational and cultural tour to Auroville under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) initiative. Running from January 29 to February 2, 2024, the initiative aims to provide a holistic exposure to Sri Aurobindo’s integral education philosophy as implemented in Auroville, a globally significant experimental township.
Ninety-four students from eight Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) will participate in the EBSB-Auroville exposure tour. The tour, organized by the Auroville Foundation in collaboration with participating HEIs, seeks to immerse students in Auroville’s unique approach to community living, focusing on unity in diversity.
The participating institutions and the number of students are as follows:
Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh (15)
IIIT Sonepat (18)
Sikkim University, Gangtok (15)
IIT Mandi (16)
Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur (7)
Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women (6)
Pondicherry University (17)
Founded in 1968, Auroville envisions a universal town where people from all nations can coexist in peace, transcending creeds, politics, and nationalities. The tour will expose students to Auroville’s collaborative community living, reflective of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat goals, celebrating unity amid cultural and linguistic diversity.
Over five days, students will engage in participatory and immersive learning experiences, including visits to Auroville units producing sustainable products, Sadhana Forest focusing on reforestation and food security, Botanical Gardens emphasizing conservation, and various art and culture centers in Auroville. Key highlights include visits to Matrimandir (spiritual core), Pondicherry Sri Aurobindo Ashram, and participation in Dehashakti (physical education as taught by The Mother).
The comprehensive itinerary aims to deepen students’ understanding of integral education, spirituality, and values, contributing to the broader goal of nation-building. The tour emphasizes experiential learning and cross-cultural interactions, aligning with the principles of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Program.