Padma Shri Janak Palta McGilligan Celebrates 78th Birthday by Planting 78 Trees

The Jimmy and Janak McGilligan Foundation for Sustainable Development celebrated the 78th birthday of Padma Shri Janak Palta McGilligan with a special tree-planting program, in line with her long-standing tradition of environmental service. This year, 78 Belpatra trees were planted to honor her age.

For over four decades, Janak Didi has marked her birthday by planting trees, expressing her gratitude to God and Mother Nature. She left her prestigious position and family in Chandigarh to establish a training institute for tribal women in Indore and dedicated her life as a Baha'i pioneer to service and environmental conservation. Together with her late husband, Jimmy McGilligan, she developed the Barli Institute campus into a green haven and built a sustainable home in Sanawadiya village.

Since 2011, Janak Didi has continued planting trees regularly in and around the village, especially on her birthday, cultivating a green legacy with the support of Ambrish Kela and local volunteers.

The February 16 ceremony began with the blowing of a conch by renowned cardiologist and environmentalist Dr. Bharat Rawat, followed by prayers and music from Dr. Lalita Sharma, Aryama Sanyal, Ajay Tipaniya, and Gautam Kale. Key participants included officials from the Indore Forest Department, Foundation trustees, environmentalists, and local leaders, with a total of 100 attendees.

The event highlighted the importance of environmental stewardship and reinforced Janak Didi’s inspiring tradition of planting trees annually. “Serving nature is true service to humanity, and leaving a green legacy for future generations is our duty,” Janak Didi said. The program encouraged community engagement, pledging regular care for the trees planted and promoting environmental awareness across society.