Emerald Heights International School Students Discover Sustainable Living at McGilligan Centre

Students from Emerald Heights International School in Indore recently took part in an eye-opening visit to the Jimmy McGilligan Centre for Sustainable Development. This experience, part of the school’s Student Global Exchange Programme, saw 28 students from 12 countries learning about sustainability and eco-friendly living practices.

Emerald Heights International School, renowned for promoting global competencies in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), organised the visit to deepen students’ understanding of sustainable development. The exchange is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle global challenges.

On July 23, 2025, the students arrived at the Jimmy McGilligan Centre, an eco-conscious site located in Indore. The centre, built on a half-acre plot, runs entirely on renewable energy and serves as a model of self-sustaining living. Students toured the property, which includes solar cookers, wind turbines, rainwater harvesting systems, and medicinal plants like insulin-producing herbs. These elements demonstrated how sustainable practices can be integrated into daily life, reducing carbon footprints and promoting environmental stewardship.

Padma Shri Janak Palta McGilligan, the director of the centre, personally guided the students through the centre’s operations. She shared the story of how she and her late husband, James R. McGilligan, transformed the space into a self-sufficient, eco-friendly haven. Janak McGilligan spoke about her husband’s 25 years of service in India and their shared mission to build an environmentally conscious legacy.

In her presentation, Padma Shri Janak Palta McGilligan also spoke about her work at the Barli Development Institute for Rural Women, an organisation she founded to empower tribal women through education and skill-building. This initiative has had a significant impact on improving the lives of women in rural India, providing them with the tools to build sustainable livelihoods.

The centre’s focus on grassroots sustainability and women’s empowerment has earned McGilligan several accolades, including her recognition as a global advocate for sustainability at the United Nations. She shared her personal journey, including surviving India’s first open-heart surgery in the 1960s, overcoming numerous obstacles, and her commitment to continuing the work she started with her husband.

Following the presentation, the students participated in a Q&A session where they asked McGilligan how they could implement similar sustainable practices in their home countries. Her message to them was clear: "We cannot decide the way we die, so we must choose the best way to live."

Sarweshwari Singh, Head of Internationalism at Emerald Heights International School, expressed her gratitude for the visit. "We are deeply thankful to Padma Shri Janak Palta McGilligan and the team at the Jimmy McGilligan Centre for hosting our students. The experience provided them with invaluable insights into sustainable living and the importance of environmental responsibility," Singh said.

The visit to the Jimmy McGilligan Centre has left a lasting impression on the students, sparking their curiosity about sustainability and offering practical knowledge on how they can take action in their own communities. It has also reinforced the importance of education in driving change and empowering young people to make a positive environmental impact.

Through this global exchange, the students of Emerald Heights International School have gained a deeper understanding of green technologies and the ways in which individuals can contribute to building a more sustainable future.