Integral Rural Development: A Rural Transformation Experiment by Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry (Revised and Enlarged Edition)  (Hardcover, G. Palanithurai, R. Ramesh)

This book is the result of a dialogue between practice and reflection – reflective practice. The context is Sarvam’s rural development experiments in South Indian villages. Nearly two decades ago (in 2005), this experiment set out searching for answers to an important question. That was: How does development take place? The question itself was as intriguing as the answer was to be. The approach is engaging and reflective. This book is an observational account of the findings of an action research, which pursued finding the elements of fulfillment and self-awareness. It’s not merely about fulfilling physical needs and survival process as generally understood, when referred to rural / community development. For humans to evolve as super humans as envisioned by Sri Aurobindo we need to move towards finding that element of fulfillment or self-awareness. This is discovering another great dimension to human life. This is moving towards an evolved self, and being able to come to terms with harmony with oneself, and his surroundings. We call it: Integral Approach to Rural Development. Since this is to do with elf-awareness and consciousness of individuals and communities – at times, we refer it to as: spiritual approach to rural development.