International Women’s Day 2026 Special Men Celebrate Women’s Day Through Solar Cooking at Jimmy McGilligan Centre
For the past 15 years, the Jimmy and Janak McGilligan Foundation for Sustainable Development has marked International Women’s Day at the Jimmy McGilligan Centre in Sanawadiya village. This year’s celebration was held on March 8, 2026.
The programme began with a group prayer, including a Baha’i prayer for the well-being of all, led by Janak Didi. She then applied homegrown sindoor tilak to those present as part of the Rangpanchami spirit. Trustee Virendra Goyal welcomed the gathering and extended greetings on International Women’s Day, saying it was a day to express gratitude to women. He said the sacrifice and understanding shown by women in every relationship and situation sustain the world.
Padma Shri Janak Palta McGilligan said that for 2026 the United Nations has declared the theme “Give to Gain”, which emphasises the power of mutual cooperation and support. She noted that the day celebrates the socio-economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
She said that although the Indian Constitution guarantees equality, many women continue to face deprivation in real life due to caste, limited education and social attitudes, particularly among labour communities in villages and cities. She also cautioned that in the name of modernity, some young people may lose focus on their goals and values.
Calling for collective responsibility, she said men and women must work together to promote goodwill and morality in families and society. Quoting Baha’i writings, she said the bird of humanity has two wings—one for women and one for men—and unless both wings are equally developed, the bird cannot fly. She added that while men and women are equal, equality does not mean they are identical, as both complement each other and must live with dignity and unity at home and at the workplace.
A solar cooking activity was organised simultaneously during the event. Interns trained by Janak Didi—including Varun Raheja, founder of Raheja Solar Food Processing; Nilesh Chohan, a master of social work graduate; Bharat Singh; IT professional-turned-biodiversity farmer Mahendra Dhakad; Ansh Dhakad; Sunil Patel from IATV; and trustee Virendra Goyal—prepared food using solar cookers.
The group prepared and served the meal on time. The menu included poha, vegetable porridge, sweet porridge cake, kadhi, vegetable pulao, halwa, toor dal and sweet rice with jaggery. Varun Raheja also prepared gulkand with mishri in a solar cooker. Lemon sherbet, solar-dried fruits and sprout salad were served, while some participants brought fruits, ice cream, bananas and mulberries from Janak Didi’s garden. The gathering concluded with a community lunch.
Those present included Babita Raheja, director of Raheja Solar Foods; Sagar Moti Raheja; environmentalists Rajendra Singh and Chanchal Kaur; Rajeev Sangal, Nisha Sangal and Shefali Sangal; Bharat Singh with his mother Nirankari Behan; Rishina Natu; Aishwarya Verma from Energy Hospital; Prajyot Pardeshi; Adityadeep Verma; solar engineer Susumita Bhattacharya; social workers Srishti and Praneet; CA Kriti Kasliwal; Gautam Kasliwal; Sujata Jha and Tuhina Jha, along with other guests.
Participants said that while celebrating Women’s Day is important, respect and appreciation for women should be shown every day. The event highlighted the role men can play in promoting gender equality by sharing responsibilities such as cooking and serving.
Virendra Goyal expressed appreciation for the initiative and thanked all participants for making the celebration meaningful.
