Janak McGilligan

	Last edited: 21 October 2021

Dr. Janak McGilligan and her late husband Jimmy McGilligan were Baha'i pioneers who established and developed the Barli Development Institute for Rural Women. Janak served as Director since its establishment on June 1, 1985 until she retired on April 16, 2011. Jimmy served as Manager from 1988 to 2011. Janak is now the director of the Jimmy McGilligan Centre for Sustainable Development.

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NEW: October 2021: Recognizing the need for solar cooking: - Solar Cookers International was pleased to be recognized for its effort in promoting solar cooking by CNN. Approximately four million solar cookers are in use at this time worldwide, helping to save entire forests from destruction. SCI Advisor, Janak McGilligan, describes the efforts the Jimmy McGilligan Centre for Sustainable Development has contributed to many communities in India with their solar cooking introductory programs. Read the article...

June 2017: Dr. Janak McGilligan, SCI Global Advisor, was joined by chief guest Dr. Vandana Shiva, plenary speaker at the 6th SCI World Conference 2017, at the World Environment Day celebration. Five parabolic solar cookers were distributed to five landless women who have been cooking over open fires. The women contributed 10% of the purchase price for the PRINCE cookers. The remainder was subsidized by Solar Cookers International donors.

Janak Palta McGilligan is honored as a Green Hero by TERI - TERI honored Dr. Mrs. Janak Palta McGilligan as a Green Hero for her inspiring work in the field of solar cooking and sustainable lifestyles in Indore, India. TERI video on Janak's work...
May 2017: Janak Palta McGilligan receives SCI award - Recognized for her exemplary work in promoting solar thermal cooking, Janak recently received the Solar Cookers Internationals Order of Excellence. Read more...

April 2016: Dr. Mrs. Janak McGilligan has been appointed to the Solar Cookers International Advisory Council. SCI noted; "Your depth of knowledge and considerable contributions to the global understanding of solar thermal and related technologies is respected worldwide." - The Free Press Journal

January 2016: Janak McGilligan is interviewed on the Sunpod podcast
March 2015: SCInet member wins national award - Janak McGilligan won the prestigious national Padmashri award for distinguished achievement in social service on January 26, 2015. The Padma Awards is one of the highest civilian awards given in India. As former Director and Founder of the Barli Development Institute for Rural Women, she pioneered solar parabolic cooking for community use.