Date: July 17, 2026
Venue: Unity Pavilion, Auroville
Dr. Beloo Mehra, Director, BhāratShakti, Sri Aurobindo Society was invited to attend a special event on July 17, 2026 in Auroville. The event celebrated the launch of Auroville TV was held at Unity Pavilion. On this occasion Dr. Mehra also participated as a panelist discussing the topic – ‘The Role of Television in the Light of Sri Aurobindo’.
The Grand Inauguration of Auroville TV, a dedicated platform envisioned to share the spirit of Human Unity, Integral Education, culture, sustainability, and the timeless teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother with audiences across the world was a landmark moment in Auroville’s journey.
The channel was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, K. Kailashnathan, in the gracious presence of Dr. Jayanti S. Ravi, IAS, Secretary, Auroville Foundation. The inauguration ceremony featured: Invocation, Savitri Reading, Reading of Auroville Charter in Four Languages, Launch Message by Dr. Jayanti S. Ravi, IAS, Secretary, Auroville Foundation and Inaugural Address by Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, K. Kailashnathan, followed by a Vote of Thanks.
Dr. Jayanti Ravi spoke about the Mother’s wish to start a dedicated Television platform in Auroville. She briefly narrated the work that has gone into making this dream a reality and congratulated the whole team working on this project of Auroville TV.
Dr. Ravi also highlighted the spiritual significance of “television” beyond its technological meaning, referencing the use of this term in Sri Aurobindo’s epic poem Savitrī. She spoke of Auroville TV as a platform dedicated to connecting humanity through conscious media, inspiring conversations, cultural heritage, education, spirituality, sustainability, and the collective aspiration for a better future.
Panel Discussion
After a tea-break, the programme continued with an insightful panel discussion on: “The Role of Television in the Light of Sri Aurobindo”. Dr. Beloo Mehra was one of the panelist for this session. Focusing on the medium’s transformative potential, Dr. Mehra said that the Mother regarded television, radio, and cinema as potent tools for collective education and expression. And that is why the launch of Auroville TV is a reminder of the great need for sincerity and responsibility in broadcasting to avoid airing destructive emotions like fear or vulgarity.
Dr. Mehra brought to light several important points during the panel discussion including:
- Historical evolution of media: The Mother’s mid-20th century perspective foresaw the power and pitfalls of mass media, emphasizing integrity and consciousness in content creation.
- Television as a pedagogical tool: Auroville TV has a special role in educating young minds to perceive beyond superficial realities, helping them understand the deeper mind and soul of cultures and nations rather than being trapped in negative stereotypes perpetuated by mass media.
- Artistic potential: Sri Aurobindo’s essay on the National Value of Art classifies art’s purposes as aesthetic, educative, and spiritual upliftment. He advocates media and art to elevate the human vital and consciousness, a crucial mission for Auroville TV, given much modern television caters mainly to base human instincts.
- Challenges of accessibility: Sri Aurobindo’s work is often seen as intellectually difficult; thus, creative audio-visual approaches (including careful reading, dramatization, visual aids) are necessary to make his and The Mother’s teachings accessible to younger and diverse audiences.
Several practical suggestions for programming also came up during the discussion, such as:
- Reading and audio-visual presentations of Savitrī and The Life Divine with explanatory content.
- Incorporation of spiritual, educational, and scientific themes aligned with integral yoga.
- Storytelling and documentaries about on-ground projects in Auroville (healthcare, education, arts) demonstrating the living application of these ideals.
- Inclusion of lectures by esteemed speakers on Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy and yoga.
- Active participation from Auroville’s units and institutions thus making the channel a communal testament to the city’s diversity and vision
- Inviting viewers worldwide with an interest in spiritual and conscious living to contribute and engage
- Seeking partnerships with creative minds globally, including writers, filmmakers, educators, and spiritual practitioners