SVVV Hosts Inspiring Memorial Lecture on Water Conservation and Sustainable Living
In a meaningful step toward promoting environmental responsibility, Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya (SVVV), Indore, hosted a powerful memorial lecture on “Human Responsibility: Water Use for Sustainable Development of People and the Planet.” The session was organized by the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Development (CESD) as part of the Jimmy McGilligan Memorial Sustainable Development Week (April 15–21), themed “Small Changes, Big Impact – Save Water.”
The event, held under the guidance of Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Yogesh C. Goswami, brought together experts, students, and faculty to reflect on one of the most pressing global challenges—water sustainability.
Opening the session, Prof. Goswami stressed the urgent need to rethink how water is used in everyday life. He highlighted that sustainable development begins with conscious individual choices, especially when it comes to conserving natural resources.
The lecture featured two distinguished speakers—groundwater expert Sudhindra Mohan Sharma and Padma Shri awardee Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan—both of whom delivered deeply engaging and thought-provoking insights.
Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan shared a moving account of her lifelong commitment to sustainability. She spoke about how her awareness of water conservation began at just 16, shaping her path toward social service. She also reflected on the work of her late husband, Jimmy McGilligan, whose innovations in solar energy transformed rural communities.
Through the Barli Development Institute, the couple empowered nearly 6,000 rural women with essential life skills, enabling them to return to their villages as agents of change. Their work extended beyond education—introducing solar-powered kitchens, clean energy solutions, and sustainable livelihoods that continue to impact lives today.
Adding a global perspective, Dr. McGilligan recalled her role as an advisor at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing that sustainability is a shared global responsibility. Her message was clear: real change begins with individual action.
Sudhindra Mohan Sharma approached the topic from a practical lens, making complex ideas relatable through everyday examples and cultural references. He emphasized that water scarcity is not a distant threat but a present reality affecting communities worldwide.
Breaking down water usage, he explained that agriculture consumes nearly 90% of available water, leaving only small shares for industries and daily urban needs. He urged the audience to adopt mindful habits and introduced the “7R” approach—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recharge, Restore, Rejuvenate, and Respect—as a simple yet powerful framework for change.
He also reminded participants that India has a rich tradition of water conservation, pointing to historical structures like ancient stepwells and temple systems as evidence of sustainable practices that modern society can learn from.
The session remained highly interactive, with students and faculty actively engaging in discussions and raising thoughtful questions about water management and sustainability.
Concluding the event, organizers expressed gratitude to the speakers and participants, noting that the lecture not only raised awareness but also inspired a sense of personal responsibility.
The program left attendees with a clear takeaway: saving water doesn’t require grand gestures—small, consistent actions can collectively create a lasting impact on the planet.
