Women from Self-Help Groups Learn "Sustainable Livelihood" from Janak Didi

Women from self-help groups from Jan Vikas Society of Indore district engaged in selling vegetables and fruits or working as daily wage labourers—visited the Jimmy McGilligan Centre for Sustainable Development to learn about sustainable livelihoods. After welcoming them, the Centre's Director, Dr. Mrs Janak Palta McGilligan, demonstrated how the entire campus is completely self-reliant, powered entirely by wind and solar energy. She then taught them smokeless solar cooking using box and parabolic solar cookers to prepare home-grown organic lentils, rice, vegetables, *kheer*, cakes, and cookies. She also demonstrated solar food processing—including frying *sev* and roasting .She also showed them solar dryers for dehydrating peas, fenugreek, green chilies, tomatoes, *amla* (Indian gooseberry), potato chips and making Natural Colours of marigold flowers, beetroot, and spinach leaves nto safe, natural colors). The session focused on drying vegetables to boost earnings and empowering women to become entrepreneurs. The women were amazed and overwhelmed to see rare trees—such as Sindoor, Teak, Mahogany, Parijat, Kadamb, Aritha, Ratanjyot, Mahua, and Kabeeth —as well as medicinal plants like Haddjod (for fracture treatment),Giloy, and Punarnava, alongside various herbs and spices.

Mrs Abha Tiwari Didi, Biotechnologist gave guided tour of the entire campus and biodiversity farm. She provided detailed information on the conservation of indigenous seeds, biodiversity, and the importance of traditional and scientific methods in organic and natural farming.

This was followed by their interactive session with Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan. She made a PowerPoint presentation focused on empowerment of rural & tribal girls , women's self-reliance initiatives, and the use of clean energy . Participating women remarked that this was their first time witnessing and understanding such innovations and practical experiences . Project Manager Ms Sapna Kumawat expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dr.McGilligan for this very special opportunity to all the participants Trainers and their Staff .This visit proved to be both educational and inspiring for the women the importance of organic farming, solar cooking as a source of employment and self-reliance. It has been remarkable scientific experience to understand and adopt practical and innovative approaches to environmental conservation, natural and organic farming, indigenous seed preservation and sustainable livelihoods . Janak Didi taught us how to embark on the path of sustainable livelihoods and Environmental Conservation with zero waste and healthy life.. She pledged to implement these leanings within their communities and share them with other women, thereby taking positive steps toward livelihood enhancement and environmental conservation.