Celebrating Sustainable Development: Jimmy Magilligan Memorial Week Begins

Indore is honoring the legacy of Jimmy Magilligan with a week dedicated to sustainable development, featuring various events from April 15 to 21. The week begins with a Solar Cooking Food Festival and includes talks by renowned experts. This initiative aims to raise awareness about environmental conservation and sustainable living, continuing the impactful work started by Jimmy and Janak Palta Magilligan. Join in to learn more about their contributions and the ongoing efforts in sustainable development.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 15, 2026, 19:46 IST

Indore Commemorates Jimmy Magilligan's Legacy

Indore, April 15, 2026 – The Jimmy Magilligan Foundation for Sustainable Development has launched the "Jimmy Magilligan Memorial Sustainable Development Week" today, marking the 15th anniversary of the passing of Padma Shri Janak Palta Magilligan's late husband, Jimmy Magilligan, who was honored with the Order of the British Empire.

The week kicks off with a Solar Cooking Food Festival at their residence, "Giridarshan" in Sanawadia. A variety of events will take place throughout the week, culminating in an interfaith prayer meeting on April 21.

Jimmy Magilligan's Remarkable Contributions

Originally from Northern Ireland, Jimmy Magilligan was a British citizen who served as the manager at the Barli Development Institute for Rural Women from 1988 to 2011. He relocated to India at the call of the Bahá'í World Centre, dedicating 25 years alongside his wife, Janak Palta Magilligan, to train 6,000 tribal girls in 500 villages on sustainable development.

He was a pioneer in establishing solar kitchens in central India. In 1998, he created the largest solar kitchen in the country at the Barli Institute, which continues to save hundreds of liters of wood and gas cylinders annually by serving meals for 150 people. Subsequently, he set up large solar kitchens in orphanages in Jhabua, Dhar, and Indore.

In 2008, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II. Tragically, he passed away in a road accident on April 21, 2011.

Schedule of Events for the Week

April 15 – Solar Cooking Food Festival (Giridarshan, Sanawadia)

April 16 – Acropolis Institute

April 17 – Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth University

April 18 – Raheja Solar Food Campus, Palda

April 19 – Life Care Hospital, Indore

April 20 – Devi Ahilya University, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

April 21 – Interfaith Prayer Meeting (Giridarshan)

Keynote Speakers and Objectives

Notable speakers include renowned solar engineer Deepak Gadhia from Gujarat and solar expert Dr. Ajay Chandak from Maharashtra.

Janak Palta Magilligan emphasized that the primary goal of this week is to raise awareness among people of all ages about environmental conservation, cleanliness, solar energy, waste-free living, and sustainable lifestyles in memory of Jimmy. The foundation operates entirely on voluntary service and does not accept any financial contributions.

Since 2011, Janak didi has trained 186,645 individuals in sustainable development.

This week is poised to be a significant step towards achieving India's sustainable development goals.