Sounds great, but...
(comments in brackets are editor)
(I see from their website that) “Auroville is owned by nobody in particular”.
(sounds like freedom, but I conclude that 'nobody in particular' has made the following rules:)
(All are direct quotes from website)
The consumption of alcohol is strongly discouraged in Auroville. It cannot be purchased anywhere in the township.
Everyone staying in Auroville, whether Indian or foreign, is required to complete an ‘Arrival Form’ at their guest house, the AV Guest Service or an AV Financial Service office as soon as possible after their arrival. The same applies to Aurovilians returning from abroad (done at the Residents Service office). See also “Guest registration” and “Residential Permit”.
There are a number of competent astrologers living in Auroville, some of whom are willing to help with preparation and interpretation of birth charts. For names and contact information it is best to make enquiries around the township.
People only become ‘Aurovilian’ after going through an ‘entry’ process overseen by the Entry Service group, usually lasting 15 months, in course of which they change from being a Guest to a Newcomer before becoming an Aurovilian. Aurovilian status is usually automatically conferred on any child born in the township to Aurovilian parents.
Permission to build has to be obtained from L’Avenir d’Auroville, a body which oversees the planning and development of Auroville. Building construction is mostly done by Auroville-run units.
Crèches, followed by kindergartens, are available for young children.
The New Era Secondary School also follows a new national curriculum.
Guests attending classes are normally expected to pay a ‘guest contribution’ towards maintenance of the premises and facilities.
There are around 180 commercial units operating in Auroville.
Currently all Auroville businesses are required to operate under the Auroville Foundation. Permission to start a new unit has to be given by the AV Board of Commerce, the Working Committee and the Funds & Assets Management Committee (including the Secretary to the AV Foundation).
A service unit named ‘Connections’ – working from the Human Resource Team office at the Multimedia Centre – provides information on work opportunities in the township for Aurovilians and Newcomers with the aim of helping them find their right place in Auroville, and to help services and units find the staff they need.
Guests are requested to pay a financial contribution towards the ongoing maintenance of the township. The same applies to Aurovilians and Newcomers, who pay a monthly contribution to ‘City Services’. See also “Donations”.
Meetings are a part of Auroville everyday life.
All guests staying in Auroville are expected to pay a Rs.150 ‘guest contribution’ per day of intended stay. In the case of people staying in Auroville registered guest houses this sum is included in the overall price charged; others need to go to a Financial Service office to make their payment.
Aurovilians have no right of ownership
All Auroville residential property belongs to the Auroville Foundation, not to the residents, though anyone financing or in long term occupation of a residential unit is accorded ‘right of occupation’, together with any children involved, so long as he/she/they continue to be Aurovilian.
Auroville is required to pay House Tax and other taxes to the local ‘Panchayat’ or Indian Government, and the residents to pay Income Tax where relevant
The IAC normally comprises a 5-member multi-national team of globally respected individuals (who??) who have the task under the Auroville Foundation Act of advising the Governing Board and Residents Assembly on matters relating to development of the township, as and when required.
Contributions to the development of Auroville have come, and continue to come, from a number of sources, including the Government of India, Indian and foreign NGOs and funding agencies, Auroville International Centres, private donors in India and abroad, the profits of Auroville’s commercial units (normally one-third), and the personal funds of Aurovilians.
Non-Indian Aurovilians are not permitted to earn a “salary” in Auroville by current Indian Government regulations relating to the issue of their visa/Residential Permit. Instead most receive a “maintenance” from the unit or service they work for, sufficient to meet their most basic needs.
Auroville operates an internal health insurance scheme, known as the Health Fund, to which all residents are required to subscribe
Auroville has a main Health Centre located on the edge of Aspiration settlement staffed by allopathic and homeopathic doctors
people are advised only to drink filtered or bottled water.
most residents seek spiritual guidance from the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother
Auroville aspires to attain complete equality of the sexes. (however...!!):
Western and other non-Indian women are encouraged to also dress in a modest fashion, so as not to send out the wrong message and attract unwanted attention.
Cash, passports, air tickets and other important papers, plus cameras and electronic equipment, should be locked away out of sight, and women are specially advised not to walk or cycle alone anywhere after dark (an Escort Service is provided for anyone requesting it). See also “Police”.
always carry a flashlight/torch at night to avoid snakes or scorpions.
There are over 25 species of snakes in the Auroville area, but only four of them are dangerously venomous.
All pet owners have to be conscious of the risk of rabies, which is endemic in the area, and have their pets regularly vaccinated.
All animal bites are considered potentially rabid unless the history of the animal is fully known.
The only advisable protection is against mosquitos, by way of a repellant, specially in the early morning and after 5.30pm. See also “Snakes”.
As possession or use of any type of narcotic drug is banned under Indian law, in no circumstances are they permitted in Auroville.
...you sure about this...?