An interview with Anjani Dayanand : 'I remember'

I Remember

An Interview with Anjani Dayanand

15^th August 1964 was a momentous day in my life.¹ That was the day when I had my first Darshan of the Mother. Dayanand had been a regular visitor since 1960. He used to bring Darshan and New Year Messages through which I got my initial introduction to the Mother. The New Year Message of 1964 "Are you ready?" was the turning point in my life. It made me ponder deeply. I tried to find the answer within myself. It came strongly on 14^th August 1964. That day was momentous in that Dayanand was very ill, running high temperature, in Madras. And I told him that I wanted to go to Pondicherry Ashram for the Darshan the next day. "But you can't drive the car, what shall we do?" And he said: "Don't worry, engage a driver, and I too will come." The next day, we left our son Satya with our maid, and drove down to Pondicherry reaching there just in time for the evening balcony darshan. There was a downpour. We had not brought any change of clothes and were completely drenched. I was terribly worried. Dayanand had come with a high fever. We returned immediately after the Darshan. I put him back in bed and called the doctor in the morning. The doctor saw him and asked: "What, are you joking? What has happened? He is normal." That was my first introduction to the Mother— direct. After that there was no looking back.

Before the balcony Darshan we had spent a few minutes in the Society House. Dayanand was a member of the Society. There was a big crowd in the hall. Navajata saw me and came across the hall and asked me: "Where are you coming from? What is your name?" I told him my name. "What are you doing?"

Page 109

I told him my designation. He said, "I think that we are going to work together for a long time". The Auroville project had just been announced.

So, after that it was a regular contact by phone every morning—every day—to do this work or that for Auroville. No point in going into all those things. But one major thing was: he said the Mother was keen that we should acquire all the land—at least the inner circle— straightaway. I prepared a detailed note for acquisition of the required land and took it to the Chief Minister, Mr. Bhaktavatsalam, who was very understanding and approved the proposal. A Government Order was issued. The Collector of South Arcot District was directed to initiate action for land acquisition. The Collector of Cuddalore sent a letter to the Society asking for an undertaking to pay the cost of the staff to be appointed for the work of land acquisition. The total cost for one Tahsildar, one Revenue Inspector, two Karnams (village officers), and two Talayaries (helpers), worked out to Rs.68, 000/- per annum. Navajata did not accept the proposal. When I informed the Mother about Navajata's decision She was very unhappy, "Why has he taken this decision?" She asked. I told Her that Navajata felt that land acquisition through Government would take a long time; whereas direct purchase would be quicker.

In retrospect this was obviously a wrong decision. I am mentioning this because it is good to know, at least now, what the Mother's views were on the issue of land acquisition.

There were many other issues that were discussed and it would neither be possible, nor appropriate to narrate all of them at this point of time.

The other significant date in my life was 4.5.67 about which The Mother had said, "The Supramental has manifested in the administration," and when I went for pranam,

I was still working in Madras. My son Satya had come of age for admission in the school. I had sent his photo to the Mother and She had approved of his admission. I arranged with Prabhaben and Kishorilalji to take care of him and decided to go back. Before leaving I sent a letter to the Mother seeking for

Page 110

Her Grace and Protection for Satya. The Mother was angry and She asked "How can she leave Satya and go. It is my responsibility to see to his education. She must take him back." After a month or so, Navajata came to Madras and brought me a special blessing packet and card from the Mother with the message from the Mother to tell me that She would be very happy if I decided to come and stay in Pondicherry. This was before 4.5.67.

And then came 4.5.67. Within few weeks the transfer order to Pondicherry came. The Chief Secretary, Government of Tamilnadu told me: "You will be going to a job where you are not eligible for your scale of pay. You will be one down." I said that I did not mind and I would go willingly. And within a couple of months I was promoted as Chief Secretary. When I went to the Mother and told Her, She said happily: "We have done a fait accompli".

Work on the Auroville project had started in right earnest. Preparations were going on for the inauguration of the project on February 29, 1968.²

A book 'Introduction To Auroville' was prepared for distribution. Roger Anger took the book to the Mother for approval. The Mother said: "Show it to Anjani". They came to my office. I went through it and said that I did not feel quite happy about it and that I did not know why. Then they took it to the Mother and told Her about what I felt. She then wrote out a message: "India has become the symbol representing all the difficulties of modern humanity. India will be the land of its resurrection, the resurrection to a Higher and Truer Life."³ The Mother asked to show the message to me and ask me whether in the context of that message the book was alright. What more could I say, but express my gratitude to the Mother for giving me this opportunity to serve Her.

When work started in Kuilapalayam village, the people were against Auroville. They were worried that they will lose their livelihood. The Mother told me to go to them and tell them that it is in their own interest to collaborate. Auroville will bring them a lot of good. We do not want to dictate to them. Roger has shown me the plan of a model dwelling to be put up for them, which will help them to live with dignity. It was a

Page 111

very good experience for me to be able to communicate with the people.

The Mother had envisaged the receipt of large funds for Auroville from international sources. I informed Her that the World Bank has the power and authority to sanction a grant up to rupees five crores for an innovative experimental project and whether I could prepare a project report for Auromodel, which was to be like a transit accommodation before joining the mainstream Auroville. After I prepared the report, She studied it in great detail and was very happy. She even went to the extent of telling me to get it printed and informed me that the cover should be orange with black lettering. We submitted the project to the World Bank through the Government of India. It did not come through then due to lack of adequate support from International Bodies. I feel it is still a valid document which can help to fulfil the Mother's vision.

The Mother told me another important thing relating to the accounting for the funds received from various sources. She wanted all Aurovilians to be treated at par, and funds coming from all countries should be put in a common account, in the general account of Auroville. In spite of Her clear instruction the management started a German account to begin with, followed by a French account, American account etc. When the Mother was informed about this, She was very unhappy.

In conclusion I would like to mention an experience I had on the eve of the inauguration of Auroville.

Sleep was eluding me because of all kinds of apprehensions. I sat up around past midnight and opened the book 'Savitri'. The following lines stood out, and after reading them I found my peace, and I went back to sleep peacefully:

The silent Soul of all the world was there:

A Being lived, a Presence and a Power,

A single Person who was himself and all

And cherished Nature's sweet and dangerous throbs

Transfigured into beats divine and pure.

One who could love without return for love,

Meeting and turning to the best the worst,

Page 112

It healed the bitter cruelties of earth,

Transforming all experience to delight;

Intervening in the sorrowful paths of birth

It rocked the cradle of the cosmic Child