Solar learning in action: TERI students explore sustainable living in Indore
A group of M.Tech students from TERI School of Advanced Studies visited the Jimmy McGilligan Centre for Sustainable Development in Indore to study sustainable living practices and renewable energy systems through direct exposure.
The visit was led by Padma Shri awardee Janak Palta McGilligan, founder-director of the centre. She told students, “We don’t have a choice of how we die, but we have a choice in how we live,” and said sustainability must be practised through daily actions. She added that the centre demonstrates how individuals can adopt resource-efficient lifestyles without complexity.
The centre, located in Sanawadiya village, operates from her residence, Giridarshan, which has been converted into a site for demonstrating renewable energy, water management, and waste reduction systems. According to organisers, more than 186,000 individuals have received training at the centre, while earlier initiatives reached over 6,000 tribal women across multiple villages.
Students observed solar energy technologies, including parabolic cookers and Scheffler dishes measuring about 2.7 metres, used for daily cooking. McGilligan said, “The sun provides more energy than we need. The question is whether we choose to use it,” adding that clean energy solutions can replace conventional fuels with consistent use.
The campus includes a 2 kW hybrid renewable energy system, rainwater management practices, and organic farming. Natural resources such as reetha and giloy are used for household and medicinal purposes. The centre also produces solar-based products including jams, colours, and herbal items. McGilligan said sustainability is a combination of technology and lifestyle choices.
Students said the visit provided practical understanding of renewable energy systems beyond classroom learning. One student said concepts studied in lectures were observed in operation, while another said sustainable development is a practical and scalable approach rather than a theoretical concept.
The programme emphasises women-led development through training in solar cooking, clean energy adoption, and livelihood skills. McGilligan said women are central to community transformation and added that access to clean energy reduces indoor air pollution and supports income generation. Organisers said the model contributes to social and economic development alongside environmental goals.
During the interaction, McGilligan said sustainability requires consistency and awareness. She told students, “It is not about large changes at once, but about consistent small actions,” and noted that development must remain practical to be adopted at the community level.
The visit also highlighted decentralised renewable energy solutions, including solar electricity access and street lighting in rural areas. Organisers said such initiatives demonstrate how off-grid communities can adopt clean energy technologies and improve living conditions.
Students described the visit as a learning experience linking academic knowledge with implementation. One participant said the experience changed their understanding of sustainability, adding that it is not only a subject of study but a way of life.
