Jimmy McGilligan Centre for Sustainable Development

	Last edited: 19 November 2021

The Jimmy McGilligan Centre for Sustainable Development in Madhya Pradesh, India is led by Janak McGilligan, who is a Solar Cookers International Associate and a member of the Solar Cookers International Advisory Council.

Most significant projects[]

Jimmy McGilligan Centre for Sustainable Development and the Barli Development Institute for Rural Women - The long lasting partnership of Janak McGilligan and Jimmy McGilligan has provided a depth of solar cooking instruction for rural residents in India, beginning their work in 2008. Since that time, the two facilities, the Jimmy McGilligan Centre for Sustainable Development and the Barli Development Institute for Rural Women, have trained over 150,000 youths in solar cooking, and over 6,000 rural and tribal women from over 1,000 villages to be community workers and trainers for solar cooking. They have shown communities that solar cookers can prepare their traditional and community foods with no problem, and have supervised the installation of many Scheffler Community Kitchens. Their projects have helped the self esteem of the local women, and created opportunities for them to use solar cooking to establish businesses that continue to provide community revenue. Jimmy passed away in 2011, but as of 2022, Janak continues to carry on their valuable work. Watch Janak McGilligan recall their work at CONSOLFOOD 2022

See other most significant solar cooking projects worldwide.

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...

April 2018: Solar Food Fest - Attendees gathered to celebrate Sustainable Development week at the Centre with a potluck food fest. Twenty-two solar cookers were used to prepare 30 delicacies. The Centre has organized the sustainable development week with the aim to encourage larger numbers of people to adapt a sustainable lifestyle. Read more...

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.
April 2017: Ayurvedic pain reliever made in solar cooker at Jimmy McGilligan Centre - The Free Press Journal
April 2017: Indore : Jimmy memorial week begins with solar food festival - The Free Press Journal

January 2017: Scientists gather to discuss adoption issues - Scientists from 19 countries visited Jimmy McGilligan Centre for Sustainable Development to discuss issues delaying use of solar cooking technology. Deepak Gadhia from the Muni Seva Ashram commented “The problem that we have come across, which hurdles the use of solar powered cookers, is the cost involved for an average person.” “Indore has potential to become MP’s solar hub using solar cooking, food processing and related technologies for food parks, namkeen clusters and organic farming,” Centre Director, Janak Palta McGilligan added to the discussion. Read more...
January 2017: World’s top solar cooking experts to visit Jimmy McGillian Centre - After the 6th SCI World Conference 2017 being held from 16-19 January, a number of solar cooking experts are scheduled to visit the Centre. Read more... - The Free Press Journal

November 2021: Indore: Students marvel at varied uses of solar power at Janak McGilligan's centre - The Free Press Journal
October 2021 'Whole forests will be saved': Is solar cooking more than just a flash in the pan? - CNN
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...
April 2021: Indore: People share their journey of solar cooking as an environment-friendly option, Jimmy McGilligan Memorial Week - The Free Press Journal
May 2018: An insight into the world of Sustainable living - The Times of India
April 2018: Indoreans prepare 30 dishes in a solar cooking festival - The Times of India
April 2018: Meet Janak Palta: Woman Who Conceptualised Sustainable Living & Empowered Women - The Logical Indian
March 2018: ‘Empowering’ men in solar cooking - BusinessLine
January 2018: Indore: Energy conservation inevitable for sustainable development - The Free Press Journal

See Janak McGilligan.Janak McGilligan