Energy Students from DAVV had the Joy of Solar Cooking at Jimmy McGilligan Centre
Sanawadiya : A group of B/MTech Students in Energy Management from School of Energy & Environmental Science From DAVV ,Indore with Head of their Department Dr Rubina Chaudhary, came on a Study Trip to Jimmy McGilligan Centre For Sustainable Development in Village Sanawadiya .
They were warmly welcomed by Dr. Mrs. Janak Palta McGilligan ,Director of the Centre. She started with a brief introduction about the Centre, not typically funded NGO . It is her personal, sustainable farm , an eco-friendly dwelling , physically built by her husband Late James ( Jimmy) R. McGilligan O.B.E ,was U. K Baha'i Pioneer served 25 years with me serving Tribal Communities with her and passed away in 2011 and all her work is dedicated to him .She also shared that explained her concept of Sustainable living . It's “God has created humanity by giving the power of soul and conscience to protect all His Creations , living beings, animal kingdom, vegetation and minerals. I am enjoying living in harmony with the five elements of nature simply by my commitment to practicing self-control by conserving , preserving with all Sustainable Technologies from Natural Resources by choice . I am getting everything from them, I neither sell nor buy, I am independent and happy". They saw The Sustainable Energy technologies holistically integrated with Biodiversity on cow-centric farm source of all kinds of vegetables, grains, herbs- Herbs, spices, a dozen types of solar cookers , smoke free fuel .
Most surprising and exciting for them was hands-on solar Cooking of Aloo- Methi and Khade -Moong in a Mud- handi on Parabolic Cookers and seeing a flame of fire from Sheffler Solar Dish. I am sharing some of the Comments of the Students sent by emails just after they left here:
1 Abhinav Dwivedi ,3rd Semester :
This centre is made on half acre land full of biodiversity and everything here teaches us a way to live sustainable life.It runs without any funds or grants.
Coming up here we knew we shall see many things related to Solar energy,wind energy,waste management etc.You tought is how many kinds of trees and plants are living here and all being nourished by the cow dung compost, made locally from the cow here. Also saw various plants and trees(fruits and medicines) and even .:Sindoor tree,Parijat,Water Apple Karanja,Ratanjot,Hibiscus,Vajradanti,Ginger,Insulin,Mint,Amla,Guava,Papaya,Beatle etc.
Later we saw Scheffler Solar Dish which is totally carbon free and high temperature is possible,it works on pendulum system made by Jimmy sir.
Then we saw newspaper Briquettes as alternative fuel for rainy Season ,2 kw Hybrid Power station Solar - Wind power , Auto track Scheffler Solar Dish .On terrace solar driers drying many organic substances. We saw a system for rain water harvesting and composting too.
Finally we studied about different types of solar concentrators including parabolic SK-14 ,Prince Cookers deep-frying ,Another Parvati cooker capable of cooking 3 containers together and some portable or foldable concentrators like Celestico cooker, Haines cooker et and also saw some rechargeable solar lanterns.Overall this experience was amazing for us ,studying energy and environment engineering. The Jimmy McGilligan centre is an independent house which gives an amazing example of ideal sustainable lifestyle. Simplicity is the key; that was my personal experience as you don't just need a degree to be innovative and innovation is one of the best talents in the world.We can see here that there's a lot of energy around us,We just need to use it smartly and zerowaste . We need to live in harmony with the environment and by environment I mean all the plants, animals,air and water resources.
Sakshi Chouhan :
Being an environmental engineer student , this visit had given me a roadmap. As a farmer's daughter ,I committed to advancing my father's organic farming endeavors and promoting sustainablity within my community. The visit's massages on reducing waste, conserving the resources have inspired me to make conscious choice in my daily life. I'm eager to apply these lesson to my life ,balancing person growth with environmental growth .
Shilpi Yadav
There is a great experience ,I learn lot of things which one is that there is no need any degree for any innovation. We also all learn many equipment such as different varieties of plants and medicinal plant and solar equipment such as Sheffler dish and mostly interesting newspaper briquettes for rainy season with in least carbon emissions . And I cannot tell many things which I learn there. I am also a research student so I get new ideas to show you field . Tthankful to you for guiding us.
S Sridhar : Being an environmental Engineering student , I learned a lot in this space .We only read some of it in books. I will try doing my best in day to day life and a dream of my life .
Dr Rubina Chaudhry thanked Janak didi for being the Living Example of Sustainable Energy and Energy Systems , our School Of Energy has been proud to have association with her and Jimmy Sir , since 1990 from the times of Pro R. L Sawhney .
