17/09/2025
🇮🇳 National Conference & Seminar on Democracy & 75 Years of Indian Republic 🇮🇳
📍 Bharat Nivas, Pavilion of India, Auroville | 12th September 2025
Auroville Foundation had the honour of hosting a landmark National Conference and Seminar reflecting on India’s democratic journey and 75 years as a Republic, organised by the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS), Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), Kolkata, SACAR, and Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, Kolkata, with the support of the Ministry of Education & Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
✨ Inaugural Lamp Lighting Ceremony ✨
The auspicious session began with the lighting of the lamp by:
🔹 Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, Thiru R.N. Ravi Ji
🔹 Shri. Dr. Jayanti S. Ravi Ji, IAS – Secretary, Auroville Foundation
🔹 Shri. Dr. Anirban Ganguly Ji – Chairman & Trustee, SPMRF
🔹 Shri. Arindam Mukherjee Ji – Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS)
📚 Academic Sessions reflected on:
1️⃣ Milestones in Indian Democracy & 75 years of the Republic
2️⃣ Challenges to Democratic Institutions & Role of Public Policy
3️⃣ Citizen Participation & Electronic Governance
4️⃣ Pathways for shaping India@2047 in light of Sri Aurobindo’s vision
🌿 With Auroville as the setting whose aim is not be a “democratic” society but a Gnostic one, going beyond the configuration of the “least common denominator” as the dictate of governance and policy decisions, but rather the ideal given to us is to rise above all preferences and unite in the Will of the Divine, which is the only last and true solution for Auroville, for India and the world, the conference symbolised the harmony between India’s spiritual foundations and its democratic aspirations, inspiring a future of unity, awakening, and progress.
💬 “Each part in us desires its absolute.
Even in our sceptic mind of ignorance
A foresight comes of some immense release,
Our will lifts towards it slow and shaping hands.”
— Sri Aurobindo, Savitri – I: The Godheads of the Little Life
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies
Raj Bhavan Tamil Nadu
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Culture, Government of India
Jayanti Ravi