Pollution is the biggest threat to the Earth says Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan
Indore
The theme of the third day of Environment Week was “Pollution is the biggest threat to the Earth”. Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan interacted with the staff and students of IIT INdore at the Jimmy McGilligan Centre for Sustainable Development. Conservation of soil, water and biodiversity and prohibition of single-use plastic and disposables were the main issues discussed in an interactive session with Staff Teachers of IIT Indore led by Dr Mrs Anjali Suhas Joshi who was the guest of Honor and students students to come forward to restore the Earth.
Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan started with a prayer expressing gratitude towards nature. Taking the program forward, everyone was welcomed by the trustee of the foundation, Mr. Virendra Goyal and in his opening remarks ,he started talking about the theme of Earth Day on April 22, “Planet vs Plastic”. And taking forward the theme of World Environment Day 2024, “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience”, he gave the message that how plastic is being overused on land and told that bags below 5 mm should not be used, the use and throw system should be stopped, neither plastic should be used in any way nor should the producer and user stop using it. We all have to take care of these things as a citizen. Regarding Kulhar, he told that it is made from the top - soil, due to which the micro-organisms found in the soil get destroyed, along with this, the upper soil is getting depleted and it takes thousands of years for the Kulhar to degrade. Instead of such things, we should use sustainable things like steel utensils, bottles, cloth bags etc.
Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan told that she came to Indore in 1985 and how she restored 6 acres of barren land. The entire land would get flooded due to rain and there was no way to go out, there were only 6-7 trees and a dry well. At the time of retirement after 26 years, she restored the entire campus and made it green with 900 trees, solar kitchen, rain water system. Apart from this, she spent 302 nights in 302 tribal villages of Jhabua district and eliminated Guinea worm (Naru disease) by spreading awareness through street plays in Bhili language with the help of a drama troupe. For this work, she was invited to recieve UNEP Global 500 Award during Earth Summit In Rio de Jeniro in 1992.. She saw in the village that girls go to the jungle to collect the fire wood for cooking where they were at risk of being sexually abused and she was concerned about cooking in smoky kitchens is violence against women .. Then she empowered 6000 girls in Barli Sansthan by giving them skill training, solar cooking etc.
After retirement, she built a sustainable residence on half an acre of barren hillock in Sanawadiya village, whose engineer, architect, contractor, all the construction work was done by her husband Jimmy McGilligan himself. Two women of the village who were helping in the construction work, said that due to darkness at night, there is a fear of snakes and men at night. Then Jimmy Sir installed 19 solar street lights on the way for 50 families living in the colony near the house. Unfortunately, Jimmy Sir passed away in a car accident. After his demise of her husband Jimmy McGilligan, she started Jimmy McGilligan Centre for Sustainable Development in his name.She is leading example in practicing zero wste , zerochemical, Using Solar Energy, Organic farming ..water conservation and amany people get inspired by her
IIT Indore 2014 batch pass out students Rohit Agarwal and Jwalant Shah told how after attending a workshop at Jimmy McGilligan Centre about waste management , they were inspired and motivated of a zero waste startup and started Swaaha company 8 years ago. They set up solar cooking langar during Amarnath Yatra, brought down the plastic waste from there and recycled it. Today Swaaha is providing its services in the entire country from Port Blair to Northeast. In 2024 also, they will provide water ATM (Pyaau) facility during Amarnath Yatra.
Chief Guest of the program Former Director of IIT (BHU and Hyderabad) Pro Rajiv Sangal said that both humans and technology are collectively responsible for pollution. We have polluted the sources of water for the growing economy. Man has come with infinite possibilities, the day we understand this, we can set everything right. We have to think about how we can connect technology, economy, emotions and environment. WE have to restore lands with Biodiversity .
Guest of Honor Dr Mrs Anjali Suhas Joshi, from IIT thanked Janak didi and said that she is very proud of her former students Rohit and Jwalant. Eminent Neurologist Dr Apoorv Pauranik said that it has been confirmed by medical acine that in many surgeries patholoy reports show collection of Microplasts in parts of human body plastic ...is a huge threat to life.
She wants to start a sustainable campus and solar cooking project in IIT campus too with their help so that other students can also get inspired by them. Thakur,Energy Scientist Dr. R.L.Sawhney , Mr. Virender Goyal, all the staff and students of IIT Indore, Pro . Rajiv Sangal's wife Nisha and daughter Ayurved Shefali, interns Nilesh Chauhan from Master of Social Work, Pooja Ahirwar, intern Siddharth Lodhi from BA Economics.
IIT deputy registrar Mr Suresh Chandra gave vote of thanks
